Cartwright board approves Aspen cooperative for food purchases and returns $231,729.51 in ARP ESSER funds
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Summary
The Cartwright Elementary School District board voted Feb. 4 to enter a cooperative food‑purchasing agreement with Aspen (through Mohave/Aspen) with an annual ceiling of $2.5 million and approved returning $231,729.51 in ARP ESSER set-aside funds that were duplicate reimbursements from ADE.
The Cartwright Elementary School District governing board voted on Feb. 4 to approve two formal actions: (1) to enter a cooperative purchasing agreement with Aspen (a food‑procurement cooperative under Mohave) for the district’s transition to in‑house food services, with an annual ‘‘not to exceed’’ amount of $2,500,000; and (2) to return $231,729.51 in ARP ESSER set‑aside funds to the Arizona Department of Education after the district’s audit identified duplicate reimbursements.
Dr. Etheridge, district staff, explained that Aspen’s model differs from some cooperatives: Aspen maintains an account, pays vendors on the district’s behalf, and the district reimburses Aspen. He said the board is seeking short-term approval through June 30, 2026, to prepare purchases for the next school year, with annual renewals to be considered at the June meeting. On the cooperative contract motion the board president moved to approve and Miss Cantu seconded; roll-call votes recorded: Miss Cantu — aye; Ms. Hernandez — aye; President — aye. Motion carried.
On the ARP ESSER return, Dr. Etheridge said auditors discovered an invoice sent to ADE that included duplicate line items and produced a reimbursement balance that should not have existed. He said the duplicate reimbursement occurred around September 2024 and was identified during the 2024–25 audit. The board moved and seconded to return $231,729.51 to ADE; roll‑call votes were recorded as aye by Miss Cantu, Ms. Hernandez and the President; motion carried.
Why it matters: The cooperative purchase sets up the procurement mechanism for the district’s in‑house food service after its contract with SFE ends, and the ESSER return corrects a federal grant reimbursement error identified in the district audit. Both items have budgetary implications for the district’s operating and grant accounts.
Votes at a glance: Cooperative purchase agreement with Aspen — motion carried (Miss Cantu: aye; Ms. Hernandez: aye; President: aye). Return of ARP ESSER funds ($231,729.51) — motion carried (Miss Cantu: aye; Ms. Hernandez: aye; President: aye).
What’s next: Staff will implement the Aspen cooperative account mechanics and prepare annual renewals in June; the district will return the specified ARP ESSER funds to ADE as instructed.