Cartwright board accepts superintendent resignation; deputy named interim with $20,000 stipend

The Cartwright Elementary School District governing board voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Aguilar Lawler, effective Dec. 12, 2024, and authorized the board president to sign a separation and release agreement on the district’s behalf.

At the same meeting the board approved a separate motion to modify the deputy superintendent’s current terms of employment so that she will serve as interim superintendent from Dec. 13, 2024, through June 30, 2025, report directly to the board president and receive an additional $20,000 stipend for the 2024–25 school year.

The board president made both motions and Vice President Marissa Hernandez seconded them. The motion to accept the superintendent’s resignation was approved and the board authorized the president to sign the negotiated separation and release agreement. The interim appointment and stipend for the deputy superintendent were approved in a later vote after executive session.

Board member Lydia Hernandez explained her dissent on the resignation vote, saying the timing denied incoming board members an opportunity to weigh in: “I don't understand what the rush is and why not to include the incoming new board members.” Board member Rosa Cantu also recorded a nay during the resignation vote.

Board members who voted in favor of accepting the resignation and authorizing the president to sign the separation agreement were President Anna Abate, Vice President Marissa Hernandez and Board Member Denise Garcia. Board Members Lydia Hernandez and Rosa Cantu voted no. For the deputy-superintendent modification, the record shows the motion carried after roll call; board members who explicitly recorded “aye” included Board Member Gaffney, Board Member Denise Garcia, Vice President Marissa Hernandez and President Anna Abate. Board Member Rosa Cantu had left the meeting before that vote and Lydia Hernandez previously passed on an earlier vote and later did not block the motion as recorded.

The board’s announcement came after an executive session during which the board discussed contractual terms for the current and incoming superintendents and related employment matters. The board did not discuss the contents of executive session in open session other than to act on motions consistent with the executive-session discussion.

The deputy superintendent’s interim assignment and stipend are effective Dec. 13, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The board did not release the full separation agreement’s terms in open session.

The board scheduled a special meeting on Dec. 17, 2024, and will continue the transition work in the coming weeks.