Acting Cartwright School District superintendent resigns from role

The acting superintendent of the Cartwright School District has resigned. Steve Watson has been in that role at the Maryvale district for just over a year.

When he announced his departure to the governing board Wednesday, he did not give a reason for leaving, but highlighted some of the things they accomplished during his time there.

“We’ve got some terrific insurance, we’ve got a teacher pay raise, we’ve balanced a budget, I feel like going to five days is what’s best for children, that’s great and we’ve focused dollars to the classroom," Watson said.

Watson played a key role in returning the district to a five-day school week earlier this year, which brought criticism from the community. Cartwright had used a four-day week since 2020.

He was also leading the district when two board members were accused of bringing a box cutter to Maryvale High School after a student was stabbed to death.

Board president Lydia Hernandez thanked Watson for all his work during his time as superintendent.

“The financials, the curriculum, the academic achievement I think with the focus working with our districtwide leadership to ensure that we got all that done," Hernandez said. "Thank you for your service and your care for children."

In a written statement, a district spokesperson said: "During last night’s Governing Board Meeting on April 8, 2026, Mr. Steve Watson, who has been serving as Acting Superintendent for Cartwright School District, formally submitted his resignation, effective immediately. We thank Mr. Watson for his service and contributions to the district during his time in this role. The district remains committed to ensuring stability and continuity for our students, staff, and community as we move forward. Additional information regarding interim leadership and next steps will be shared in the coming days."