Lydia Hernandez
Governing Board President

 

Mrs. Hernandez was re-elected for another term in November 2022, with her current tenure set to expire in December 2026. She first joined the Governing Board in July 2004 and was elected to a two-year term later that year. Throughout her service, she has held the position of Governing Board President and served as Chair-Elect for the National School Boards Association’s National Hispanic Council of School Board Members. Additionally, she is a member of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO). Mrs. Hernandez is also a State Legislator representing District 24, having assumed office on January 9, 2023. Mrs. Hernandez was elected to serve as Board President in 2025. 

 

 

 

 

Rosa Cantu

 

Ms. Cantu’s journey began when she was elected to a two-year term in November 2002. Since then, she has been a force in leadership, securing re-election for four-year terms in November 2004, 2008, and 2012. Her commitment was recognized once again when she was re-appointed as the 5th governing board member on June 8, 2023. Throughout her impressive tenure, she has also taken on the role of Board President, showcasing her dedication to serving the community. Mrs. Cantu was elected to serve as Board Vice President in 2025.

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.