Cartwright School District Puts Students Last

Cartwright students received bagged, cold lunches because the school board didn’t have enough members to conduct business.

After one board member resigned earlier this year, the board has failed to reach a quorum due to only having two out of four members present. The vacancy, and delayed appointment from the Maricopa County School Superintendent’s Office, created a strenuous situation that affected several vendor contracts.

Denise Garcia’s and Jennifer Romero’s absence from the last two meetings appears to be in protest of board president Lydia Hernandez’s leadership. Garcia told one media outlet that she’s focused on “‘good governance, transparency, fiscal responsibility.’” The news source also said Garcia’s objectives “should not be characterized as unwillingness to act.”

Hernandez told the Arizona Globe that her colleagues want to stop business because of an attorney discussion on the agenda to expose “a series of violations of open meeting law” as well as unauthorized contract modifications. Hernandez wants to understand the financial implications these violations could have on the district.

Hernandez also said partisan politics are driving the narrative behind issues in Cartwright. When probed about the attacks from members of her political party, Hernandez clarified, “You mean that it’s a political agenda, and that I am a moderate, and that’s why they want to take me out?”

Hernandez, who also serves as an LD24 member of the Arizona House of Representatives, garnered backlash from Democrats who opposed her bipartisan efforts to pass House Bill 4109 (“Michael’s Law”). After a classmate fatally stabbed Michael Montoya  at Maryvale High School, Hernandez worked to improve safety plans and require districts to notify parents within 24-hours of a life-threatening incident on school grounds.

Hernandez sponsored the bill, which received bipartisan co-sponsorship from Republicans, including Lisa Fink, Ralph Heap and John Gillette. All three Democrats on the Senate Education Committee opposed the bill, citing concerns that included its criminal penalties. The measure nevertheless advanced from the committee 4–3 before ultimately failing to receive final Senate passage.

Hernandez said, “[Opposition] stems from that as well, but I was on the school board first. I’ve been serving on that school board for 20 years. I wear no political hat. I don’t care what party affiliation you have. The services for the kids come first.”

In her public statement to the Cartwright community, Hernandez revealed that “employee stipends had been delayed” and some “safety-related matters are awaiting board approval.” She expressed the importance of moving forward while the county superintendent’s office works to fill the vacancy.

Hernandez wrote:

“Cartwright has experienced an enrollment decline of approximately 900 students. Enrollment directly affects funding…and classroom resources. Our focus must be on strengthening academics, supporting employees, engaging families [and] maintaining safe schools…Every [board] member has the right to ask questions, challenge recommendations and vote no. But there is a difference between disagreement and the inability to conduct business.”

As of Wednesday, September 16, Maricopa County School Superintendent Shelli Boggs appointed Cartwright governing board candidate Teresa Tapia to fill the vacancy.

The superintendent’s press release says the delayed assignment was due to Boggs attending board meetings, gathering community feedback and watching board members’ interactions. Boggs confirmed to the Globe that she believes this process takes local constituents’ needs and concerns into account rather than making arbitrary appointments.

The press release quoted Boggs:

“It is unconscionable to prioritize playing politics ahead of feeding children and paying teachers. When a board cannot hold a meeting, every day of delay is paid for by children. Their irresponsibility created an extreme need to expedite the process to seat a member that would show up and put kids first. I believe Teresa Tapia is that person who will immediately restore the board’s ability to complete the business of the district.”