Parents, officials call for investigation after interim superintendent placed on leave; board composition challenged

Board President Lydia Hernandez presided over a contentious Cartwright Elementary School District governing‑board meeting on Jan. 16 as community members and elected officials pressed the board for transparency after Interim Superintendent Emma Hategui was placed on administrative leave.

The meeting’s public‑comment period drew repeated calls for an independent investigation into the legality of actions taken at a Jan. 15 special meeting and into whether two related board members are serving in violation of district policy. State Representative Anna Bathea said the board’s actions “are projected to result in fiscal loss of $1,000,000 to the district and expose it to potential lawsuits, which could ultimately cost the district 1,000,000 more.”

The speakers described uncertainty and community distress after Hategui’s leave. Andrea Barrera, identifying herself as a grieving community member, said Hategui’s removal left “the air ... thick with an uncertainty for the future” and urged the board to acknowledge the “human cost.” Calvin Terrell, a racial literacy specialist who has worked with the district, told the board he did not know why Hategui was placed on leave and said, “I don't think the community knows why.”

Several speakers alleged the governing board may be violating district policy BBA and Arizona statute 15‑421 — which, in public comments, was described as barring family members who share a household from serving together on the same five‑member governing board. Hector Jaramillo, speaking in his personal capacity as a current Glendale Elementary School Board vice president, asked, “How are these actions legal? Arizona state law, 15 dash 421 prohibits family members who have shared a residence in the last 4 years from serving on the same governing board.”

Multiple commenters called for resignations. State Representative Anna Bathea urged Board President Lydia Hernandez to “immediately step down” and resign from the board; other speakers also demanded the immediate resignation of Lydia Hernandez and board member Cassandra Hernandez, who several speakers said are immediate family members. David Cross and Melissa Acevedo, both members of the Cartwright community, said the pair’s simultaneous service created a conflict and urged resignation.

Speakers also called for an independent probe into the Jan. 15 meeting and for the board to provide public disclosure about the reasons for Hategui’s administrative leave. Jaramillo and others asked specifically for an independent investigation into whether the Jan. 15 meeting complied with Arizona’s open‑meetings requirements. Board member Jennifer Romero requested that a discussion about the open‑meeting question and the board composition be added to a special meeting scheduled for Jan. 17.

The meeting included routine business that was approved by vote: the board adopted the Jan. 16 agenda and later approved the consent agenda (which included teacher contracts), each by roll call after brief debate. During those roll calls, multiple trustees explained or justified their votes on the record.

Board President Lydia Hernandez read board public‑comment rules and said the governing board will not take legal action on matters raised during the public‑comment portion unless they appear on the agenda. She also noted the board may direct staff to study matters raised by the public or reschedule them for future consideration.

No action to reverse or modify Hategui’s leave was recorded at the Jan. 16 meeting, and board members did not announce findings of an internal or external investigation. Several speakers said they will pursue legal options; one public commenter urged filing with the Superior Court and cited the filing fee for such suits. At the close of the meeting the board announced a special governing‑board meeting for Jan. 17, 2025.

Votes at a glance - Adoption of Jan. 16 agenda: motion carried; roll call recorded statements by trustees and the presiding officer recorded a final tally of 3 ayes and 2 abstentions. The record includes individual roll‑call statements: Denise Garcia stated she would not support actions while alleging the board’s composition violated policy; Jennifer Romero said she would abstain; Rosa Cantu and Lydia Hernandez recorded affirmative votes. The president announced the motion carried. - Consent agenda (including teacher contracts): motion carried on roll call; the record shows Denise Garcia and Jennifer Romero abstained while Lydia Hernandez and Rosa Cantu voted aye. - Adjournment: motion carried with a roll call that included two abstentions and ayes sufficient to close the meeting.

What’s next Public commenters and at least one board member asked the district to add to the Jan. 17 special meeting an attorney‑led discussion of whether two related trustees may lawfully serve together under district policy BBA and Arizona statute 15‑421 and to add a public‑comment opportunity for the special meeting. Members of the public said they will press for an independent investigation and potential court action if the board does not provide the requested transparency.