The two Cartwright school board members accused of trying to sneak a box cutter into Maryvale High School have denied any wrongdoing and are demanding school officials retract the allegations.
Earlier this week, the Phoenix Union High School District issued a press release accusing state Rep. Lydia Hernandez (D-Phoenix) and her daughter Cassandra Hernandez of attempting to sneak a box cutter through security at Maryvale High, just weeks after a fatal stabbing at the school.
The mother and daughter are both members of the school board in the Cartwright School District, which feeds into Phoenix Union, and the incident led to bipartisan calls that they resign.
According to the press release, Lydia Hernandez told school staff she was testing its weapon detection system.
Both women issued statements denying all allegations.
Cassandra Hernandez, a Maryvale High alum, said she was at work when the alleged incident took place on Aug. 25.
“I was working an eight-hour shift Aug. 25 at EOS Fitness at the time of this alleged incident and have the timecards and video footage from my employer to prove it,” she said in a statement.
Lydia Hernandez said she was at the school but denied attempting to bring a box cutter through security or making any statement claiming she was testing the school’s security.
“I visited Maryvale High School to assist some constituents who were at the school attempting to get answers and resources after the recent deadly stabbing,” Lydia Hernandez said in a statement. “Some of those mothers were concerned they were being detained by school personnel and asked me to join them and to intervene.”
Lydia Hernandez also denied allegations that she filmed the incident on her cellphone.
“I got in line to enter the school, and I went through the metal detector without incident. The mother ahead of me, who was part of the group of constituents who called me had a metal object in her bag and was asked to empty her purse,” she said. “At no time did I attempt to document the incident with my cellphone, nor did I have any knowledge that there was an object in her purse to begin with.”
Both women accused Phoenix Union officials of misrepresenting the situation.
“Phoenix Union has recklessly sullied my name in an attempt to politicize the tragedy that occurred at Maryvale High School. Phoenix Union Superintendent Thea Andrade must be held to account and resign for reckless and defamatory actions of the district,” Cassandra Hernandez said.
Phoenix Union High School District did not respond to a request for comment.
Lydia Hernandez called on the district to release surveillance video of the incident and conduct an independent investigation.
