Lydia Hernandez
Governing Board President

 

Mrs. Lydia Hernandez is the current Governing Board President of the Cartwright School District, having assumed this role in January 2025. A resident of the Maryvale area and a mother of three young children, Mrs. Hernandez is committed to advancing educational opportunities and community engagement, with a strong focus on improving student outcomes. She was re-elected in November 2022 for a term that extends until December 2026.

In addition to her responsibilities in the Cartwright School District, Mrs. Hernandez serves as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives. She was first elected from 2013 to 2015 and returned to office on January 9, 2023, securing re-election in November 2024. Her legislative work emphasizes policies that enhance educational equity, promote social justice, and ensure adequate resource allocation for underserved communities.

Hernandez is also actively involved in national advocacy, having served as Chair-Elect for the National School Boards Association's National Hispanic Council of School Board Members and as a member of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO). Her academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Baylor University. 

Throughout her career, which includes roles such as legal assistant, executive manager at Arizona Habitat for Humanity, and executive director of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs, she has demonstrated a profound commitment to social equity and community empowerment.  Mrs. Lydia Hernandez is dedicated to fostering an inclusive future where all children have access to quality education and the necessary resources to thrive.

 

 

 

 

Rosa Cantu

 

Mrs. Rosa Cantu currently serves as the Vice President of the Cartwright School District Governing Board, dedicating nearly 25 years to the advancement of education within her community. Her journey in public service began with a heartfelt commitment to her children's education, initiated by volunteering in their classrooms at C. W. Harris School while her youngest son was just two years old. With 38 years of residency in the Maryvale community, she found joy in engaging with her children’s classes, which ultimately inspired her to pursue a position on the governing board.

 

As a devoted mother of five, Mrs. Cantu has ensured her children benefited from local educational institutions, including C. W. Harris, Palm Lane Elementary, Estrella Middle School, Desert Sands Middle School, and Trevor Browne High School. She has prioritized the importance of higher education, exemplified by her daughter Rosie, who graduated from Arizona State University and returned to the Cartwright community to teach at Holiday Park Elementary. Mrs. Cantu emphasizes her profound connection to her children's educational journeys and futures.

 

A significant milestone in her tenure with the Cartwright School District was her successful initiative to name Raul H. Castro Middle School after the first and only Latino Governor of Arizona. Facing challenges from the naming committee, she was inspired by a documentary about Governor Castro and proposed his name during a board meeting. Her motion passed, leading to the establishment of Raul H. Castro Middle School in 2008, a testament to her commitment to representation in education. The school was recently rebranded as the Raul H. Castro Academy of Fine Arts, further solidifying Mrs. Cantu’s impactful legacy within the district.

 

Beyond her educational advocacy, Mrs. Cantu enjoys traveling and cherishing quality time with her grandchildren. Although she considers herself retired, she maintains that when one has drive within them, they never give up on their dreams or their community. She takes pride in the legacy she has built through her service and believes everyone should leave a mark, which she considers proudly hers.

 

Mrs. Cantu’s official journey on the Governing Board began with her election to a two-year term in November 2002. Her remarkable leadership has since led to re-elections for four-year terms in November 2004, 2008, and 2012. Recognized for her unwavering commitment, she was re-appointed as the fifth governing board member on June 8, 2023, and elected again in November 2024, ensuring her service continues until January 1, 2029.

 

Throughout her impressive tenure, Mrs. Cantu has showcased her dedication to the community and the educational success of its students, leaving a lasting impact on the Cartwright School District.

Denice Garcia

A passion for social work is what brought Board Member Ms. Denice Garcia to the Cartwright School District. Before she lived in Arizona, she handled crisis intervention, adoptions, mediation, alcohol and drug counseling and much more in California. While working in the community, she advocated for families and noticed that when children were not in school, their development suffered greatly. When she met former Cartwright Governing Board President and current Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo, he encouraged her to run for Cartwright’s governing board so that she could make a real difference in the lives of scholars. Ms. Garcia was first elected to the Governing Board in 2012. Her current term expires in December 2024. During her service Mrs. Garcia served as Vice President.