Amy Carney

Carney prioritizes rigor in core subjects — reading, writing, math, and science — and has criticized curriculum she views as ideologically driven, pointing to declining academic indicators as evidence the district has lost focus.

"Our focus should be on the core academic subjects of reading, writing, math, and science."

A member of SUSD's Secondary Novel Review Committee, Carney has backed bringing more transparency and accountability to the 6–12 supplemental book-list process and reviewing assigned titles for age-appropriateness, and wants curriculum and textbook advisory committees placed under the board's authority.

A vocal parental-rights advocate, Carney holds that parents are the primary decision-makers for their children, supports parental curriculum review and opt-in consent for sex education, and wants parents welcomed onto campuses as respected partners.

"Parents should have the ability to review the curriculum and opt their child in to any sexual education being taught in schools."

Carney ties spending to performance and has flagged the district's deficits amid declining enrollment. She voted against Superintendent Scott Menzel's raise and contract extension, arguing compensation should track results.

"In most organizations, declining performance would not earn you additional compensation or a lengthened contract."

Carney says she wants more district funding to reach quality teachers and classrooms first, framing classroom-directed spending as key to supporting and retaining educators.

"I want to see more funding go to our quality teachers and expand programming for developing our students' life skills."

Carney supports placing school resource officers on all campuses, including elementary schools, and is open to using vetted retired military or police volunteers for campus security.

"welcome the discussion of bringing in retired military or police officers to staff our schools"

Carney opposed the district's December 2025 closure of Echo Canyon and Pima elementary schools, voting no and arguing the board should first have convened a community advisory committee and a transparent long-term plan before closing or repurposing any neighborhood school.

"It didn't have to be this way, and I'm very disappointed at where we are right now."

Carney campaigns on returning accountability to the community and greater board oversight. She opposed a plan to reduce the number of board meetings and has pushed to bring curriculum and textbook advisory committees under the board's authority.

Carney is critical of DEI initiatives and of social-emotional learning as a classroom priority, arguing the district should refocus on academics; she has described 'culturally responsive' curriculum as divisive.

"developing and strengthening our students' interests instead of their identities"