>> Ted: NEXT ON THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON, IT'S A DEBATE AND WE'LL HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

INSTRUCTION.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL ELECTION 2022 EDITION.

TONIGHT, IT'S A DEBATE BY CLEAN ELECTIONS, YOUR SOURCE FOR NON-PARTISAN ELECTION INFORMATION.

TONIGHT'S DEBATE FEATURES THE TWO CANDIDATE FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND OVERSEES THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> TONIGHT'S DEBATE IS NOT A FORMAL EXERCISE BUT GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES WHO ARE VYING FOR THE STATE'S MOST IMPORTANT OFFICES.

THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES IS ENCOURAGED PROVIDED THAT BOTH SIDES GET A FAIR SHAKE AND WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT HAPPENS.

THE CANDIDATES WILL GIVE OPENING STATEMENTS IN A RANDOMLY SELECTED ORDER AND CLOSING STATEMENTS IN THE OPPOSITE ORTHOPEDIC.

ORDER.

>> Ted: JOINING US NOW IS DEMOCRAT KATHY HOFFMAN, THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT AND TOM HORNE, WHO IS A FORMER STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND STATE LAWMAKER.

LET'S GET IT STARTED WITH OPENING STATEMENTS AND WE BEGIN WITH TOM HORNE.

>> THANK YOU, TED.

WHEN I COMPLETED EIGHT YEARS, THE FIRST TIME I WAS SUPERINTENDENT, ARIZONA PROFICIENCY RATES WERE OVER 60% FOR METH AND OVER 70% FOR READING.

UNDER KATHY HOFFMAN, THOSE WERE 42% AND 42%.

MY HEROES ARE MATH TEACHERS AND HISTORY TEACHERS AND SO ON.

AND A NUMBER OF THEM HAVE COMPLAINED THEY WANT TO TEACH ACADEMICS BELL TO BELL AND CAN'T DO IT BECAUSE UNDER KATHY HOFFMAN'S SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING, THEY HAVE TO PLAY DUMB GAMES WITH THE KIDS AND THAT'S A DISTRACTION FROM ACADEMICS.

WE NEED TO HAVE DISCIPLINE IN OUR CLASSROOM AND UNDER SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING, TEACHERS ARE TOLL NOT TO DISCIPLINE KIDS BECAUSE IT MIGHT HURT THEIR FEELINGS.

I HOPE I WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO TELL YOU WHAT I WILL DO TO RAISE ARIZONA'S TEST SCORES TO MAKE A DECISION WHO IS MORE QUALIFIED TO IMPROVE ARIZONA'S ACADEMICS.

>> NOW TO KATHY HOFFMAN.

>> GOOD EVENING.

I'M KATHY HOFFMAN, ARIZONA SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

WHEN I WAS ELECTED IN 2018, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT A LEADER WAS ELECTED TO LEAD EDUCATION.

I STARTED AS A PRESCHOOL TEACHER, FIRST IN TUCSON AND IN THE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, I VISITED HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS IN ALL 15 COUNTIES, GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.

THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL STEPPING STONE FOR ME.

AS A MOM AND EDUCATOR EDUCATOR, I WANT ALL TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

>> Ted: SUPERINTENDENT, THE NUMBERS ARE UP AND NOT BY MUCH AND MOST ARIZONA STUDENTS FAILED READING AND MATH, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT?

>> WE HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT.

AFTER STRUGGLING THROUGH THE RECESSION, Mr. HORNE CUT MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE SAW NATIONALLY, THAT ON THE EXAMINATION, THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OR NATE, WE SAW NATIONALLY, MORE SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN READING AND MATH OVER OF THE PAST YEAR THAN OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS IN HISTORY, BUT YET ARIZONA DID MAKE GROWTH ACROSS ALL DEMOGRAPHICS AND ARIZONA IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK OF TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE KIDS ARE MAKING PROGRESS.

>> Ted: TOM, ARE WE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

>> DEFINITELY NOT.

THE BIGGEST DROP NOT DURING COVID BUT MY 60% AND 70% AND THE PRE-OPIOID NUMBERS ARE 42% AND 42% AND NUMBERS ARE LOWER NOW.

KATHY HOFFMAN WAS QUOTED IN THE REPUBLIC WITH A BIG HEADLINE THAT SAID TO CLOSE ALL SCHOOLS IN THE STATE AND THAT WAS NOT GOOD FOR STUDENTS AND NOT GOOD FOR PARENTS AND SOME HAD TO GIVE UP THEIR JOBS AND WE DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS GOOD FOR AND BAD FOR STUDENTS.

>> Ted: THE PANDEMIC IN GENERAL AND FOR EDUCATION IN PARTICULAR, I MEAN, HOW MUCH DID THAT FACTOR INTO TEST RESULTS AND YOUR IDEAS REGARDING KEEPING SCHOOLS OPEN, CLOSING SCHOOLS, CHILDREN WEARING MASKS AND THESE SORTS OF THINGS.

>> LET'S GO BACK TO MARCH OF 2020, WHEN NO ONE IN THE WORLD COULD HAVE IMAGINED WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HIT US.

THE COVID-19, THE MOST UNPRECEDENTED PANDEMIC OF THE LIFETIMES.

IF I HAD KNOWN THEN WHAT I HAD KNOWN TODAY, MAYBE DECISION-MAKING WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT AND DURING OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, I NEVER IMAGINED MY JOB AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT WOULD BE MAKING PHONE CALLS TO SUPERINTENDENTS AND PRINCIPALS, OFFERING CONDOLENCES AND IN THE WINKLEMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT, THEY LOST Mrs. BIRD TO COVID-19.

OF COURSE, MY FOCUS WAS ALONG WITH GOVERNOR DUCEY, HOW TO ENSURE TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP OUR KIDS ALIVE AND SAFE AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE A HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE WORKING IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

>> Ted: WHAT WAS KNOWN THEN IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC, WAS IT NOT A RESPONSIBLE THING TO SIDE, TO ERROR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION, IF YOU WILL?

>> PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS STAYED OPEN THROUGHOUT AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE HEALTH OF KIDS.

KIDS ARE RESISTANT AS OPPOSED TO OLDER PEOPLE.

IF IT MADE SENSE TO CLOSED INITIALLY, THEY WERE KEPT CLOSED FAR TOO LONG AND THAT HAD A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT FAR TOO LONG.

>> Ted: THERE ARE OLDER ADULTS IN FAMILY AND SCHOOLS AND YOU WANT THEM PROTECTED, AS WELL.

>> I TRIED CASES IN COURT WHERE THEY HAD A SCREEN IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE AND WE TRIED THE CASE AND THEY WERE THERE AND NOBODY GOT SICK.

>> IN ARIZONA, WE LOST OVER 30,000 PEOPLE IN ARIZONA LOST THEIR LIVES AND IT'S BEEN COMPLETELY TRAGIC.

BUT DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE ENSURED WE WERE FOCUSING ON SOLVING THE ISSUES TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS BEST.

WE LAUNCHED THE TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE PARTNERING WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND CREATING THE FIRST OF ITS KIND OF DIGITAL TEACHING AND LEARNING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE EXPANDING INTERNET TO RURAL COMMUNITIES AND TECHNOLOGY TO STUDENTS.

WE ADDED OVER $21 MILLION TO ADD MORE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO OUR SCHOOLS AND DECREASING THE SCHOOL, DOWN COUNSELOR RATIOS.

>> WE'LL MOVE ON AND DEAL WITH THIS QUICKLY.

TOM, YOU'VE HAD A CAMPAIGN AD THAT CRITICIZING YOUR OPPONENT FOR A QR SPACE AND YOU CALL IT A CENTRAL PREDATOR'S DREAM OR YOUR AD CALLS IT THAT AND THE CHIEF IS PUSHING THAT ON CHILDREN.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS AN INTENTIONAL ACT OR SOMETHING THAT SHE DID BY ERROR?

>> NOT INTENTIONAL BUT HARMFUL.

I STAND FOR EMPOWERING PARENTS AND THIS STANDS FOR QUEER CHAT AND ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

KIDS AN GO ON THERE WITHOUT THEIR PARENT'S PERMISSION AND THEY GIVE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THEMSELVES AND DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR SEX LIVES, SEXUAL THOUGHTS AND THEN THEY TALK TO Q CHATTERS WHO ARE VOLUNTEERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY NOT LICENSED PROFESSIONALS.

WE DON'T KNOW -- >> I NEED TO JUMP IN WITH CLARIFICATION.

THAT IS RECOMMENDED BY THE CDC AND THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION, MENTAL HEALTH FOR AMERICA AS A RESOURCE FOR HELPING TO SUPPORT LBQ YOUTH.

Mr. HORNE HAS BEEN SOLICITING HELP FROM DAVID STRINGER AND WE KNOW FROM Mr. STRINGER'S RECORD HE MADE COMMENTS ALONG WITH HISWITH THIS AND THIS IS STRICTLY POLITICAL AND -- >> WE'LL LET YOU RESPOND TO DAVID STRINGER AND HOW DID THE IDEA FOR THE Q CHAT COME UP?

WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL INTENT?

>> WE WORK WITH A COMMITTEE OF PARENTS, STUDENTS FROM THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND EDUCATORS AND WE CREATED A PORTION OF THE WEBSITE DEDICATED TO RESOURCES FOR LGBTQ STUDENTS, PARENTS AND EDUCATORS AND THIS IS A GROUP OF STUDENTS WHO FAR TOO OFTEN ARE FACING HATE IN THE WORLD AND COMMUNICATION OUT THERE THAT IS ATTACKING THE LGBTQ YOUTH AND THE INTENTION -- THIS IS A RESOURCE RECOMMENDED BY THE CDC TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND THESE ATTACKS ARE POLITICAL AND BASELESS.

>> LET ME JUST EXPLAIN AND I WAS INTERRUPTED TALKING ABOUT QUEER CHAT.

THEY TALKED QUEER CHATTERS NOT LICENSED PROFESSIONALS AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MIGHT BE PREDATORS AND IF THAT WEBSITE IS HACKED, WE KNOW IT WILL BE SOLD ON THE DARK WEB TO PREDATORS THERE.

PARENTS HAVE NO ROLE TO PLAY.

IN FACT, THERE'S AN ESCAPE BUTTON SO THAT IF A PARENT COMES AND SEE WHAT'S ON THE COMPUTER, THE KID CAN PUSH THE ESCAPE BUTTON AND LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT -- >> WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A STUDENT STRUGGLING WITH SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND AFRAID TO SPEAK TO THEIR PARENTS?

>> THEY SHOULD TALK WITH TRAINED, LICENSED COUNSELORS IN THE SCHOOLS.

I'M IN FAVOR OF A COUNSELOR IN EVERY SCHOOL AND THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS TO HAVE THE PARENTS NOT PLAY ANY ROLE AND THEY DON'T KNOW THE KIDS ARE ENGAGING IN THIS Q CHAT WITH THESE ADULTS PARTNERSHIP HAVE A MESSAGE FOR THE PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS.

IN YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR CHILD HAVING A TALK WITH A STRANGER VOTE FOR KATHY, IF NOT, VOTE FOR TOM.

I'M ABOUT ACADEMICS.

>> Ted: PLEASE RESPOND.

>> IT'S BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS AND TEACHERS.

I'M A MOM AND MY DAUGHTER IS STARTING PRESCHOOL IN A FEW SHORT YEARS.

I'M FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES THAT ASs' FAMILIES CAREARIZONA'S FAMILY.

>> Carole: ABOUT ANDFAMILY.IF WE WANT OUR STATE MOVING FORWARD, LET'S SUPPORT EDUCATION INCLUDING MAKING OUR SCHOOL'S SAFE INCLUDING OUR LGBTQ YOUTH.

>> I DON'T THINK KIDS SHOULD BE TALKING WITH UNLICENSEED PROFESSIONALS.

>> Ted: THE DAVID STRINGER, WHY WOULD YOU HAVE SOMEONE LIKE THAT?

>> THE ONLY ASSOCIATION WAS THAT HE MADE A CONTRIBUTION WHICH I RETURNED AND THAT WAS IT.

>> Ted: A PHOTOGRAPH WITH HIM AND IT SOUNDED LIKE HE WAS A PART OF YOUR CAMPAIGN.

>> NOT A PHOTOGRAPH OF ME WITH HIM BUT SIGN ED SIGNS PUT UP.

THE CAMPAIGN IS BASED IN PHOENIX AND HE'S A LAWYER IN PRESCOTT.

HIS ONLY ASSOCIATION WITH THE CAMPAIGN WAS THAT HE MADE A CONTRIBUTION IN MIND WHICH I RETURNED.

>> Ted: BUT YOU DEFENDED HIM ORGANIZEAND YOU STUCK BY HIM AND THEN YOU DIDN'T.

>> HE MADE A CONTRIBUTION IN KIND.

CAN WE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION POLY BECAUSEPOLICY BECAUSE I THINK THE PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AS OPPOSED TO A PERSONAL ATTACK.

>> THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL ATTACK WHEN IT'S ON YOUR RECORD.

>> WITH A CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION AND DOES NO HARM TO ANYBODY.

Q CHAT, QUEER CHAT DOES A LOT OF HARM TO KIDS WHO ARE ON THERE WITHOUT THEIR PARENTS KNOWING.

>> Ted: SHOULD YOU HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THAT IN-KIND DONATION?

>> YES, AND I ULTIMATELY RETURNED IT.

>> YOU REPAID IN THIS IN CASH?

YES, FOR PUTTING SIGNS UP.

>> NO, LET'S BE CLEAR THAT THE DAY AFTER THE PRIMARY ELECTION, THE FIRST PERSON YOU THANKED ON TWITTER WAS DAVID STRINGER, WHO MADE PUBLICALLY RACIST COMMENTS ABOUT ARIZONA CHILDREN AND BEEN ACCUSED OF CRIMES PAYING MINERS FOR SEX.

THAT IS HORRIFIC AND I KNOW UNDER MY LEADERSHIP I WOULD NEVER ASSOCIATE WITH ANYONE LIKE THAT OR SOLICIT THEM TO PUT UP A SIGN OR SPEND ANY MONEY TOWARDS MY CAMPAIGN AND IT'S A MATTER OF A LACK OF JUDGMENT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PERSON WHO IS LEADING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UNDERSTANDS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG.

>> I CAN SEE KATHY HOFFMAN DOES NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT EDUCATION POLICY.

HOW WILL WE GET OUR TEST SCORES UP.

>> Ted: LET'S TALK ABOUT TEACHERS.

>> AND HOW WE GET THE TEST SCORES UP.

>> Ted: WHATEVER YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT PROVIDING TIME PERMITTING.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TEACHER SHORTAGE IN ARIZONA AND WHY IS THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT IT?

>> TWO THINGS TO DO ABOUT A TEACHER SHORTAGE.

INTERESTINGLY, TEACHERS, WHEN THEY LEAVE THE PROFESSION, THEY'RE VEERED AND SURVEY IT'S AND IT'S NOT SALARY BUT SUPPORT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, ESPECIALLY ON DISCIPLINE.

AND I WOULD EMPHASIZE THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE ADMINISTRATORS SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS ON DISCIPLINE AND ORDERLY CLASSROOM OR THE KIDS CAN'T LEARN.

IN MY SCHOOL DISTRICT, I SERVED 24 YEARS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AND WE DID NOT SERVE A TEACHER ON DISCIPLINE AND KNOWN AS THE TOUGHEST DISTRICT.

OUR LEARNING CAME UP.

KATHY HOFFMAN, THEY DISCOURAGE DISCIPLINE.

NUMBER TWO, WE HAVE TO PAY OUR TEACHERS MORE AND CUT BACK ON ADMINISTRATION.

I'VE BEEN A LONG CRUSADE CRUSADERS AGAINST ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND LOSING TEACHERS TO SURROUNDING STATES.

>> Ted: NUMBER ONE DIS-PLAIN DISCIPLINE AND NUMBER TWO, TEACHER PAY.

>> OUR TEACHERS DESERVE COMPETITIVE PAY.

ARIZONA PAY HAS BEEN AT THE BOTTOM.

WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR INNOVATIVE WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE TREE PINE TEACHER PIPELINE AND WE SUPPORT THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM TO CREATE A NEW PIPELINE TO RECRUIT TEACHERS AND WE'VE BEEN INVESTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TEACHER MENTORS FOR OUR NEW TEACHERS WHO ARE NEW TO THE CLASSROOM INTERESTSCLASSROOMS AND TO LEAN ON OTHER MASTER TEACHERS.

>> ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS WHO STARTED IN MY ADMINISTRATION AND THAT WAS MY INMOW INNOVATION.

>> THEY EXPANDED EMPOWERMENT AND I HAVE THE KNOW NOMENCLATURE RIGHT.

>> I DO NOT SUPPORT THE VOUCHER PROGRAM BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE ANYONE SHOULD BE PROFITING OFF OF OUR EDUCATION, OFF OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION TAX DOLLARS.

PUBLIC EDUCATION DOLLARS SHOULD STAY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN THE ESA VOUCHER PROGRAM.

A QUICK EXAMPLE AND I WANT TO POINT OUT ANYONE ON THIS STAGE COULD OPEN A PRIVATE SCHOOL, A RELIGIOUS OR EVEN A POLITICAL, PRIVATE SCHOOL.

I WAS UP IN SNOWFLAKE, ARIZONA, WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS REACHED OUT BECAUSE THERE WAS A PRIVATE SCHOOL SPECIFICALLY ADVERTISED FOR A CHILD WITH AUTISM USES ESA VOUCHERS AND THEY MADE A LOT OF PROFIT AND WITHOUT WARNING TO ANY FAMILIES, THEY SHUT DOWN THIS SCHOOL, LEAVING THE FAMILIES HIGH AND DRY, SEEKING ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION OPTIONS FOR THEIR KIDS WITH AUTISM.

SO IT'S THOSE TYPES OF SCHOOLS WHERE WE HAVE NO ACCOUNTABILITY AND I THINK WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE ON FULLY FUNDING OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> IS THERE ENOUGH OVERSIGHT IN THE ESA PROGRAM?

>> I SUPPORT THE ESA PROGRAM.

RICH PEOPLE CAN SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO NOISOME THEY ANY SCHOOL AND POOR PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THAT, TOO.

YOU NEED TO DO THE SAME THING RICH PEOPLE DO NOW, WHICH IS TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO ANY PRIVATE SCHOOL THEY WANT TO.

>> MOST OF THE PEOPLE, 75% WHO APPLY ALREADY HAVE THEIR CHILD IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

>> THAT'S WHAT THE INITIAL STATISTICS SHOW AND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPEN, AND IF I'M ELECTED, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Ted: WOULD YOU CONSIDER AN INITIAL CAP?

NOT RIGHT NOW, BUT IF THREE QUARTERS ARE SENDING THEIR KIDS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND THE LOW INCOME PEOPLE, THEY'RE NOT GETTING THIS.

>> MY DEDICATION IS TO ENFORCE THE BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE, THE JOB OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND THEN TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT AND IF I THINK IT NEEDS TWEAKS, I'LL SUPPORT IT.

I DO SUPPORT IT.

IT EQUALIZES THING FOR POOR PEOPLE WITH RICH PEOPLE.

>> Ted: WHAT IS CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND WHERE IT IS TAUGHT?

>> YOU ASKED ME THAT DURING THE PRIMARY AND I'LL GIVE THE SAME ANSWER THEN.

IT'S THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I BELIEVE AND I BELIEVE IN THE AMERICAN IDEAL.

WE'RE ALL BROTHERS SISTERS UNDER THE SKIN AND ENTITLED TO BE JUDGED AS INDIVIDUALS AND RACE IS IRRELEVANT.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY, THEY TEACH RACE IS PRIMARY.

WHEN I THOUGHT THAT IN TUCSON IN OFFICE, THEY DIVIDED THE KIDS BY RACE.

WHITES IN ONE CLASSROOM AND BLACKS IN CLASSROOM TWO AND HISPANICS IN CLASSROOM THREE AND NATIVE AMERICANS IN CLASSROOM FOUR AND THEY CREATED TENSION BETWEEN GROUPS SAYING THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE PRESSERS AND OTHERS ARE OPPRESSED.

KIDS ARE NOT PRESSERS OR OPPRESSED.

>> Ted: IS THAT GOING ON AND SHOULD IT BE GOING ON?

>> I THINK THIS IS JUST CLASSIC FOR Mr. HORNE, JUST AS AN ISSUE BACK WHEN HE ADVOCATED FOR THE BAN IN TUCSON AND THIS IS AN ATTACK ON OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND I BELIEVE OUR STUDENTS SHOULD BE TAUGHT AN ACCURATE HISTORY AND EMPATHY AND CRITICAL THINKERS WHEN READING HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND RELEVANT.

AFTER THE BAN ON MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES WAS IMPLEMENTED, THAT WAS A LENGTHY, SEVEN-YEAR LAWSUIT THAT COST OUR STATE A LOT OF MONEY.

THE JUDGE RULED THAT IT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT WAS RACIALLY AND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

SO THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING AGAIN HERE TODAY FROM Mr. HORNE, SOMETHING THAT IS RACIALLY AND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

>> I BELIEVE IN THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

I BELIEVE WE'RE ALL INDIVIDUALS AND RACE DOESN'T COUNT FOR ANYTHING.

THE QUESTION OF WHETHER IT EXISTS NOW, IT'S ALL OVER THE STATE AND I'LL GIVE YOU THE EVIDENCE.

I HAVE A LIST OF 200 TEACHERS, ARIZONA TEACHERS, THAT AT THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION SIGNED A STATEMENT THAT IF THE STATE BANNED CRITICAL RACE THEORY, THEY WOULD DEFY IT.

THEY WOULDN'T DO THAT UNLESS THEY WERE TEACHING THAT AND COME FROM THE LARGEST 25 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TAUGHT IN EVERYONE ONE OF THE LARGEST 25 SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND TEACHING RACE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THEM.

I SAY NO, RACE IS NOT IMPORTANT.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS INDIVIDUALITY AND WHAT PERSON KNOWS, WHAT HE CAN DO AND THE CHARACTER AND THE ABILITY TO APPRECIATE BEAUTY.

>> Ted: HOW SHOULD THE STRUGGLES OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THIS COUNTRY TAUGHT?

>> ACTACCURATELY AND ALL FOR THE STRUGGLES OF JIM CROWE.

>> Ted: HOW DOES THAT NOT CROSS BOUNDS?

>> THEY SHOULD NOT BE TAUGHT KIDS ARE OPPRESSED AND NOT BE DIVIDED BY RACE AND THAT THE RACE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THEM.

THE HISTORY SHOULD BE TAUGHT ACCURATELY.

BUT THEY NEED TO BE TAUGHT -- AND I BROUGHT A PROGRAM OF PREJUDICE REDUCTION INTO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE I SERVED 24 YEARS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD TO TEACH KIDS, TREAT EACH OTHER WITH DIGNITY AND DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO RACE.

>> Ted: DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU?

>> IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THIS IS Mr. HORNE'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

CRT IS NOT THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FACING PUBLIC EDUCATION TODAY.

I'M FOCUSED ON THE EDUCATOR RECRUITMENT AND THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE STUDENTS AND WE HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO TOUCH ON SCHOOL SAFETY.

THAT'S A HUGE PRIORITY FOR ME, AS WELL, AND MY NUMBER ONE CONCERNS.

AND WE HAVE A LOT TO BE FOCUSED ONTO MAKE SURE OUR SCHOOLS ARE THE BEST THEY CAN BE FOR ALL STUDENTS AND I DON'T THINK CRT IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

>> WE HAVEN'T FOCUSED ON ACADEMICS.

>> Ted: WE HAVE A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT.

>> THE UVALDE SHOOTING TO KEEP CAMPUSES SAFE AND WHAT IS THE ANSWER ABOUT KEEPING KIDS SAFE?

>> THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE WITH UVALDE AND THIS GOES BACK YEARS AND WATCHING ON THE NEWS WHEN SANDY HOOK HAPPENED AND I THINK ABOUT PARKLAND.

AS A MOM AND EDUCATOR, THIS IS TERRIFYING AND I WORRY ABOUT SAFELY SENDING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE THIS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

EVERY PARENT, EVERY FAMILY MEMBER SHOULD BE FEELING SAFE SENDING THEIR KID TO SCHOOL.

AFTER PARKLAND, THE BEGINNING OF MY ADMINISTRATION IN 2019, I LAUNCHED THE SCHOOL SAFETY TASK FORCE AND THAT PRODUCED RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS INCLUDING A MODEL SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN AND ALSO SINCE 2019, I'VE GROWN THE SAFETY SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM FROM A $12 MILLION PROGRAM TO $80 MILLION WHICH IS 20% AND GIVES LOCAL COMMUNITIES THE DECISION-MAKING ON WHAT TYPE OF SAFETY POSITION THEY WOULD PREFER.

>> AS A DAD AND GRANDDAD, I WANT TO BE PROTECTED IN CASE A MAN YAKMANIACCOMES INTO A SCHOOL.

THEY NEED TO DOUBLE THE FUNDING IN SCHOOLS FOR POLICEMEN.

KATHY HOFFMAN WAS OPPOSED BECAUSE PREJUDICE DOES NOT STOP AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE DOOR IMPLYING OUR POLICE ARE PREJUDICE, WHICH IS KO O-KOO.

DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE SAY WE WANT OUR SCHOOLS TO BE GUN FREE.

THAT'S SAYING COME GET US, WE'RE VICTIMS.

WE NEED A POLICEMAN IN EVERY SCHOOL.

>> Ted: I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME AND GOING IN REVERSE ORDER OF REMARKS WE START WITH KATHY HOFFMAN.

>> I STRONGLY BELIEVE ARIZONA'S FUTURE STARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND NO REASON FOR ARIZONA TO LOOK 20 YEARS BACK BACKWARDS.

MY TRAVELS AROUND THE STATE, I'M WELL INFORMED ON WHAT OUR STATE NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD AND PROUD OF MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN STRENGTHENING OF THE TEACHER MENTORING PROGRAMMING.

WE ADDED HUNDREDS OF MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS TO THE SCHOOLS AND WORKED TO EXPAND INTERNET AND ADD TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESS FOR OUR STUDENTS IN THE MOST RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL STEPPING STONE FOR ME AND I AS I THINK ABOUT MY DAUGHTER'S FUTURE, EACH I'M THINKING FOR ALL KIDS IN ARIZONA AND WE CAN MOVE THIS WORK TOGETHER AND I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE THIS NOVEMBER AND CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SECOND TERM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM TOM HORNE.

>> AS A DAD AND GRANDDAD, IT'S HARD TO BE PROUD OF A RECORD WHERE THE PROFICIENCY RATES FROM 60% IN MATH AND 42% IN EACHCH EACH OF THOSE IN COVID.

KATHY HOFFMAN HAS NOT WANTED TO TALK ABOUT ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE A SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND NEEDS TO SEND OUT TEAMS OF SPECIALISTS, SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SPECIALISTS TO DO BETTER.

UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION, DID THAT AND HOCKEY KATHY HOFFMAN DID NOT DO THAT.

I WOULD EVEN SCHEDULE HEARINGS TO TAKE OVER DISTRICTS THAT HAD LOW TEST SCORES.

KATHY HOFFMAN HAS NOT DONE THAT.

WE NEED TO HOLD STUDENTS ACCOUNTABLE.

UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION, THEY HAD TO PASS A TEST TO GRADUATE.

AFTER I LEFT, THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY AND WHEN THE TEACHERS ASKED THE KIDS TO DO WELL ON TESTS, WHY SHOULD I?

AND THEY WOULD LEAVE EARLY.

WE NEED TO DO A LOT OF THESE THINGS TO IMPROVE TEST SCORES AND I WILL DO THAT AND KATHY HOFFMAN DID NOT.

>> Ted: GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH AND GREAT CONVERSATION.

RICHARD.

>> A PROGRAMMING NOTE, ARIZONA HORIZON WILL HOST A DEBATE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY TOMORROW, THURSDAY, AT 5:00 P.M. AND 10:00 P.M. ON ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> Ted: YOU CAN WATCH THIS DEBATE ON AZPBS.ORG WHERE YOU CAN CATCH ALL OF ARIZONA HORIZON'S PAST PROGRAMMING.

THAT IS IT FOR NOW AND YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.