Cartwright board approves five-day school calendar over objections from at least one member

The Cartwright Elementary District governing board voted to adopt a five-day instructional calendar with weekly early-release Fridays for professional development beginning in the 2026–27 year, a change district staff said will align the district with neighboring calendars and return more instructional minutes.

Acting Superintendent Mr. Watson told the board the proposal resembles calendars used across Maricopa County and was developed to allow daily meals programs, regular professional-development time on Friday afternoons, and incremental increases in classroom minutes. He described budget contingencies to offset the cost of moving from a four-day to five-day schedule.

Board member Garcia pressed for more community outreach and said she had not been included in decision discussions. She asked whether the district surveyed parents and employees about the shift; staff acknowledged no single survey had been taken for this specific calendar and estimated the cost to return to a five-day week at between $2 million and $5 million, with some public commenters citing higher estimates. Garcia asked why the district would add roughly 66 instructional hours at what she described as substantial cost and urged postponing the vote until more stakeholder input was gathered.

Supporters on the board argued the calendar offers continuity, daily child nutrition access and time for staff professional learning. After discussion the motion to approve the five-day calendar passed on a roll-call vote with Garcia recorded as the dissenting vote.

Board staff said work calendars for different employee classifications will be brought forward for approval and that the district will continue to develop communication and implementation plans for families and staff.

The calendar adoption is subject to the district producing more-detailed work calendars and finalizing budget contingencies ahead of the next school year.