Local school boards across Phoenix are heading into contentious elections this fall, with the SAFE Act and AZ Education Association (AZEA) pushing new curriculum mandates. Civil liberties activists argue that unlimited textbook spending — with little accountability — is already draining district budgets.
While teachers deserve support, some board members warn that schools are becoming unrecognizable. For example, mandated “social justice” electives have triggered backlash from parents calling for a “back to basics” approach.
With trustee races heating up, these school board meetings are turning into political battlegrounds — and it’s no longer just about education. It’s about foundational values and who controls the next generation.