Cartwright board delegates authority to appoint hearing officers in two personnel cases

The Cartwright Elementary School District governing board on Nov. 5 approved delegating to Acting Superintendent Watson the authority to appoint hearing officers to preside over two personnel hearings stemming from statements of charges the board adopted Oct. 27, 2025.

The board's motions named three possible hearing officers — Harold Merkel, Benson Hufford and Rob Haas — all drawn from a list provided by the Arizona State Board of Education. Watson told the board those hearing officers are trained to "hear evidence provided by both sides" and serve as independent arbiters who will make recommendations to the governing board.

Background and legal process: the actions follow the board's previously adopted statements of charges against Victoria Farrar, deputy superintendent and chief financial officer, and a separate statement against the deputy superintendent of human resources and educational programs. Watson said selecting an independent hearing officer is the "next step in that process where the hearing officers were selected from a list available from the Arizona State Board of Education."

Public allegations: earlier in the meeting, public commenter Cecilia Moreno alleged the acting superintendent was appointed without being vetted by teachers, administrators or parents and questioned whether staff were given due process and whether the district could financially sustain multiple lawsuits. The board response at the meeting emphasized due-process mechanisms and moved to the formal hearing step; no final personnel findings were made at the Nov. 5 meeting.

Vote and next steps: both delegation motions passed unanimously. The board recorded "aye" votes and the motions carried. The appointed hearing officer (to be selected by the acting superintendent) will conduct the hearings and provide findings or recommendations that will return to the governing board for potential further action.

What remains unresolved: the charges referenced are board-adopted allegations; the hearing process — including the identity of the selected hearing officer, hearing dates, and any evidentiary determinations — remains pending.