School Walkouts and Teacher Absences

Recently, families across Arizona were given a real-world lesson in why school choice matters. Dozens of public-school districts and campuses abruptly closed their doors due to coordinated teacher sickouts and student walkouts tied to political protests.

Parents were blindsided, students lost valuable classroom time, and families were forced to rearrange work and childcare on the fly.

Meanwhile, charter schools and private schools remained open and teaching.

When district schools shut down without warning, public trust is broken. It sends a clear message that activism is being prioritized over students’ education. These actions are disheartening and unacceptable. They help explain why district school performance continues to decline.

At the same time, they reinforce an important truth: Arizona’s school choice policies work. When families are given real options, students win every time. That is why I will continue to defend parental rights and support policies that put students, not politics, first.

You can read my full statement on this issue here:
​https://x.com/michaelcarbone/status/2017295202910970100​

Leadership with Accountability

Beyond education, I remain actively engaged with House leadership as we have entered the second session of the 57th Legislature with full force and both feet on the ground.

Alongside Speaker Steve Montenegro and our leadership team, we are focused on fiscal responsibility, public safety, housing affordability, water security, and ensuring state government remains transparent and accountable to the people it serves.

I have also continued to speak out on the need for stronger accountability within state government. Arizonans deserve leadership that respects taxpayers, upholds the law, and delivers results... not excuses.

When those standards fall short, it is our responsibility to address them directly.