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Cartwright Elementary District appoints Dr. Barrante Santa Maria as acting superintendent
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Summary
The Cartwright Elementary District governing board voted to appoint Dr. Barrante Santa Maria as acting superintendent under an at‑will temporary contract and adopted qualifications for the acting superintendent; the board also held an executive session and set meeting dates for mid and late April 2026.
The Cartwright Elementary District governing board voted to appoint Dr. Barrante Santa Maria as acting superintendent to serve while the superintendent is on administrative leave with pay. The board approved the appointment and the at‑will temporary contract terms after a roll‑call vote; the start date was stated in the record as "Monday, the thirteenth 2026."
The board also adopted the qualifications for an acting superintendent as required by district policy CBA and discussed the statutory bases for holding the executive session. The presiding official described the executive session purpose as including discussion of personnel matters and consultation with the district’s attorneys to consider positions in pending or contemplated litigation and settlement discussions.
During the meeting the president led the Pledge of Allegiance and read a land acknowledgement recognizing the ancestral homelands of the Hohokam, Akimel O'odham and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC). After returning from executive session, members made congratulatory remarks to Dr. Barrante Santa Maria, noting prior service to the district and academic credentials. Vice Chair Cantu welcomed him and board members emphasized priorities including academic achievement and parental engagement.
Votes at a glance: the board recorded the motion to appoint Dr. Barrante Santa Maria as carried by roll call with recorded 'aye' votes, one 'nay' and one abstention; the board also recorded adoption of the meeting agenda and adoption of qualifications for an acting superintendent by roll call. Specific votes were recorded in the meeting transcript by name.
The board corrected and confirmed its upcoming schedule: a special governing board meeting was rescheduled to April 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., and the next regular governing board meeting was set for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., both in the Cartwright School District Boardroom. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
