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Cartwright board adopts 2025–26 employee handbook after second reading; one member abstains
Summary
After a second reading, the board approved the 2025–26 employee handbook — incorporating meet-and-confer agreements on FMLA, medical-insurance clarifications and attendance awards — with one board member abstaining and no changes to the administration's recommendation.
The Cartwright School District governing board voted to adopt the district’s 2025–26 employee handbook on Aug. 19 after a second reading of the document and a motion from the board president.
Dr. Etheridge told the board the handbook incorporates meet-and-confer outcomes and clarifies items such as FMLA forms, medical-insurance treatment for employees on leave and the district’s attendance award program. "Those types of things we added to this handbook," he said in presenting the document.
Board President Lydia Hernandez moved to adopt the handbook "as presented," and the motion was seconded by Miss Gunther. The board proceeded to a roll-call vote; Vice President Rosa Cantu and President Hernandez voted aye, and Miss Romero announced she would abstain and repeated her allegation that the board was "illegal" because a mother and daughter both serve on the governing board. The motion passed.
President Hernandez framed the handbook approval as part of the board’s oversight of district policy and budgets, saying the board must be diligent about documentation and process when handling taxpayer dollars. "We are dealing with taxpayer dollars. It is our fiduciary responsibility," she said.
What happens next: The handbook is approved and will be distributed according to district practice; administration said it will continue to incorporate meet-and-confer items and bring future policy changes to the board for review.
