GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THIS "AZ VOTES 2026, "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION," A SPECIAL EDITION OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

TONIGHT WE FEATURE A CONVERSATION BETWEEN CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, THE TOP ELECTED EDUCATION POSITION IN THE STATE.

OUR "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" IS NOT A FORMAL DEBATE, IT'S AN OPEN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN CANDIDATES FOR ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST IMPORTANT OFFICES.

AS SUCH INTERJECTIONS AND EVEN INTERRUPTIONS ARE ALLOWED PROVIDED THAT ALL SIDES GET A FAIR SHAKE.

WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO SEE THAT THAT HAPPENS.

OUR CANDIDATES TONIGHT, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER: DEMOCRAT TERESA LEYBA RUIZ FORMER PRESIDENT OF GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

AND REPUBLICAN KIMBERLY YEE, WHO CURRENTLY SERVES AS STATE TREASURER.

THANK YOU, CANDIDATES.

DR.RUIZ, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

IT IS ARIZONA SPENDING ENOUGH ON EDUCATION?

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN ARIZONA IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL.

IT IS OBVIOUS, WE ARE NOT SPENDING ENOUGH.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE SUFFERING.

WE ARE SEEING THE CONSEQUENCES OF 50 YEARS OF UNDER FUNDING OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> DO YOU THINK ARIZONA IS SPENDING ENOUGH, I WILL FOLLOW UP IN A SECOND?

>> WE ARE NOT SPENDING ENOUGH ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN ARIZONA, AND THAT IS WHY I SUPPORT PROPOSITION 123 AND ITS EXTENSION TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE MONEY INVESTED PROPERLY FOR K THROUGH 12.

93% OF THOSE PERMANENT TRUST FUNDS I HAVE MANAGED, INVESTED OVER THE TIME HAVE BEEN A STATE TREASURER IN.

WE HAVE$11BILLION VALUE TO THE PROGRAM.

>> YET SOME WOULD ARGUE, WE ARE SPENDING ENOUGH.

WE ARE NOT SPENDING NEARLY AS LITTLE AS SOME MIGHT SAY.

IT IS NOT GOING TO THE RIGHT PLACES.

THAT IS VALID ARGUMENT.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE NEED TO SPEND MORE MONEY IN CLASSROOMS IN.

THAT IS WHERE THE TEACHERS.

THAT IS WHERE THE STUDENTS ARE.

THAT IS WHERE IT MATTERS THE MOST.

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS SHOPPING AT GARAGE SALES FOR THE SUPPLIES.

SCOTT: IS THE MONEY GOING TO THE RIGHT PLACES?

>> OBVIOUSLY NOT.

THAT IS A CONSEQUENCE NOT FUNDING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WHEN TEACHERS ARE SPENDING THEIR OWN MONEY TO BUY BASIC A CLASSROOM SUPPLIES.

MEANWHILE, FACILITIES ARE CRUMBLING A ALL AROUND THE STUDENTS.

ARIZONA NEEDS TO INVEST IN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

SCOTT: SHOULD THAT INVESTMENT, THOUGH, GO DIRECTLY TO TEACHERS?

MOST IF NOT AT ALL ADDITIONAL FUNDING DIRECTLY TO TEACHERS?

>> WELL, THINK ABOUT THIS.

THE TEACHER IS IMPORTANT, YES.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO SUPPORT STAFFS THAT ARE NEEDED TO HELP MAKE SURE THE STUDENT HAS ACADEMIC SUCCESS.

IF WE SAY ONLY TO TEACHERS.

ARE LEAVING OUT A BIG PART OF THE STUDENT'S EDUCATIONAL DAY, AND IF WE WANT SUCCESS FOR OUR STUDENTS THEN WE HAVE TO FUND THE ENTIRETY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THAT MEANS EDUCATORS, OUR SUPPORT STAFF, OUR ADMINISTRATORS, OUR SCHOOL FACILITIES BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN FACILITIES CRUMBLING ALL AROUND ARIZONA BECAUSE ARIZONA IS LAST IN THE NATION.

WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM.

OUR KIDS DESERVE TO BE FIRST.

SCOTT: MORE FUNDING DIRECTLY TEACHERS MAYBE AT THE EXPENSE OF FACILITY SUPPORT PERSONNEL, ET CETERA.

>> I AM A DAUGHTER OF A PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHER WHO TAUGHT FOR 38 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE ANSWER IS YES.

IT NEEDS TO GO TO TEACHERS THEY ARE THE ONES INSTRUCTING OUR YOUNG CHILDREN AND NEEDS TO GO TO THE STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOMS SO THE PROPER SUPPLIES, EVERYTHING IN THAT CLASSROOM IS READILY AVAILABLE FOR THOSE TEACHERS AND THEIR SUCCESS.

SCOTT: UM, BUT DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO FOCUS ON TEACHERS AND NOT WHERE THEY TEACH?

>> THE CLASSROOMS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE, ALL OF THAT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT WE HAVE TO PUT A FOCUS ON TEACHER PAY.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE WE ARE AT THE POT TOM WHEN IT COMES TO CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AS WELL AS.

WE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE RETAIN OUR TEACHERS ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD YEARS WHEN THEY ARE LEAVING THE PROFESSION.

WE GOT TO BRING MORE TO THEM FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO PAY.

SCOTT: FOCUS ON TEACHERS.

>> ALWAYS A FOCUS ON TEACHERS.

BUT WHAT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND IS THAT IT TAKES A WHOLE SYSTEM TO EDUCATE A CHILD.

AND WHEN WE ARE LAST IN THE NATION, PER PEOPLE FUNDING, THAT IS WHY WE ARE LOSING TEACHERS.

THAT IS WHY TEACHERS ARE NOT COMING TO THE PROFESSION, BUT IT IS THE WHOLE SYSTEM, THAT WE MUST SUPPORT.

SCOTT: WHY ARE WE ALWAYS AT OR NEAR THE BOTTOM IN TERMS OF EDUCATION PER PUPIL FUNDING?

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> THE QUALITY OF THE CANDIDATES WE ELECT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THOSE WHO UNDERSTANDED THE POLICIES BEHIND IT.

I HAVE 30 YEARS OF POLICY FROM THE 1990'S WHEN I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE.

I CHOSE PUBLIC POLICY IN EDUCATION BECAUSE THIS IS AN AREA WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON.

AND ENSURE THOSE STUDENTS HAVE A QUALITY HIGH PERFORMING EXPERIENCE, WITHIN K THROUGH 1 EDUCATION.

WE ARE NOT THERE.

SCOTT: ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT LEGISLATIVE LEADERS?

>> EVERY CERTAIN PEOPLE WE ELECT IN THOSE AREAS FROM GOVERNING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, LOCAL LEVEL, TO THE GOVERNOR, TO THE STATEWIDE, TO THE FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIAL AS AS WELL.

SCOTT: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WHERE ARE WE HERE.

>> IT IS CLEAR.

WE ARE LOOKING AT 50 YEARS OF UNDERFUNDING.

MY OPPONENT WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR MANY OF THOSE YEARS AND NEVER ONCE HAVE WE SEEN INCREASED FUNDING.

AM THANKFUL TOLL YOUR MOM FOR BEING A TEACHER.

I LIVED THE LIFE EXPERIENCE.

OUR TEACHERS ARE NOT WELL FUNDED.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE NOT WELL FUNDED.

IT IS BECAUSE OF THE PARTY IN POWER FOR 50 YEARS HAS NOT PRIORITIZED PUBLIC EDUCATION.

SCOTT: IN THE YEARS I SERVED, I WAS THE VICE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

I WAS CHAIRWOMAN OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

I WAS COCHAIR OF ONE OF THE SCHOOL SAFETY COMMITTEES, AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD.

AND IN ALL OF THOSE YEARS, I SUPPORTED RAISES FOR TEACHERS.

AND EVEN BEHIND THE SCENES, I SUPPORTED APPROPRIATIONS FOR SCHOOL SAFETY.

$12MILLION IN 2017 TO ADD MORE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS TON THE CAMPUSES.

MORE TEACHER SALARY RAISES IN 2020.

WE MADE SURE IN THIS PERIOD OF TIME.

WE HAD ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR OUR TEACHERS.

WE WENT INTO THOSE CLASSROOMS, LEGALLY, WHEN WE WERE NOT COMPLAIN PAINING LOOK YOU DO CURRENTLY AS YOU GO AROUND THE ENTIRE STATE CAMPAIGNING WITH THE CLASSROOMS DURING THE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME WHICH IS AGAINST STATE LAW.

SCOTT: WE GOT A COUPLE OF THINGS TO RESPOND TO THERE.

I DO.

FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS A DISTRACTION.

MY OPPONENT DOES NOT WANT ME TO SHARE WHAT I HAVE SEEN AS I HAVE BEEN INVITED INTO SCHOOLS.

>> DANGEROUS SITUATIONS BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS ARE NOT WELL FUNDED.

YOU CAN TELL YOU MANY EXAMPLES IN PAIGE, ARIZONA, THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GYM IS CRUMBLING BECAUSE YOU HAVE PUT OUR STUDENTS IN DANGEROUS POSITIONS BY NOT FUNDING OUR SCHOOLS APPROPRIATELY.

SCOTT: WHAT ABOUT THIS IDEA OF CAMPAIGNING IN SCHOOLS?

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

>> IT IS A DISTRACTION.

I HAVE BEEN A MATH TEACHER FOR 25 YEARS.

I RECOGNIZE A POLITICAL DISTRACTION WHEN I SEE ONE.

YOU MAKE A DISTRACTION.

A YOU GO IN FOR PHOTO-OPS WITH THE BACKGROUND OF CHILDREN AS YOUR PROPS IN YOUR CAMPAIGN CYCLE AND THEY DO NOT HAVE PARENTAL CONSENT KNOWING YOU ARE USING THEIR FACES IN YOUR CAMPAIGN MATERIAL.

THAT IS AGAINST TITLE 15.

THAT IS AGAINST HIPAA IF THEY HAVE HEALTH-RELATED NEEDS, SO THIS IS NOT ONLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CHRIS MAYES.

>> ONCE AGAIN, I DISTRACTION BECAUSE WE NEVER DID ANYTHING WITHOUT CONSENT OF THE STUDENTS WHEN I GO IN TO VISIT THE SCHOOLS AS I HAVE BEEN INVITED.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THE SAME BECAUSE I UNDERSTANDS THAT MANY OF THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERS HAVE REACHED OUT TO YOU AND INVITED YOU.

I HAVE TALKED TO TWO.

YOU HAVE NOT RESPONDED.

>> BECAUSE, BECAUSE.

>> THEY INVITED YOU IN.

>> OR USE THEIR RESOURCES AS TAXPAYER RESOURCE TO GAIN INFORMATION BECAUSE THAT IS AN EXPENSE BY THE TAXPAYERS.

I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO DISTRACT STUDENTS WHEN THEY REASON THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL DAY LEARNING BY GOING IN TO TOUR THE CLASSROOMS.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TEACHERS HERE AND THE PROBLEM OF RETAINING TEACHERS AND ATTRACT TEACHERS.

TEACHERS SAY THEY FEEL VILIFIED LIKE THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BEING OVERWORKED, THEY ARE BEING TARGETED.

ARE YOU BUYING THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I HAVE TALKED TO TEACHERS ALL OVER THE STATE.

TEACHERS WHO ARE LEAVING.

TEACHERS WHO ARE CONTEMPLATING TO LEAVE.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU GO AROUND USING YOUR PLATFORM TOLL ATTACK OUR TEACHERS, AND PROMOTE DEBUNKED CONSPIRACY THEORIES.

OUR TEACHERS FEEL ATTACKED, DISRESPECTED AND LEAVING THE PROFESSION.

THAT IS NOT THE MARK OF SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO LEAD THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WHEN YOU ARE ATTACKING OUR TEACHERS.

SCOTT: WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

CONSPIRACY.

>> MY OPPONENT WENT ON STAGE AND SAID TEACHERS ARE TRYING TO CONVERT THE STUDENTS INTO CATS AND PROVIDING KITTY LITER BOCKS.

IT IS DEBUNKED CONSPIRACY THEORY.

SCOTT: WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> WELL, SHE WAS NOT AT THAT MEETING.

I WAS TALKING TO THE WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THEY ELECTED A WOMAN TO THE SCHOOL BOARD, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE, WHO WORE CAT EARS REGULARLY AND BELIEVED SHE WAS CAT.

SHE ASKED THE SCHOOL BOARD TO PLACE HER PHOTO THE OFFICIAL CAPACITY WITH THE CAT EARS IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE.

AND BEYOND THAT, SHE ASKED FOR THE BOARD IN THEIR, ON THEIR DIE OWES TO INDICATE SHE WAS A TEACH, HERS, AND THERE.

>> DISTRACTION ONCE AGAIN.

BECAUSE WHAT MY OPPONENT IS NOT TALKING ABOUT IS THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS READING.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE 36PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS PROFICIENT AND 64 THAT ARE NOT PROFICIENT.

WE SHOULD NOT BE ATTACKING TEACHERS AS WE BE DOING.

WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT THE GRADUATION RATE.

SCOTT: LET'S FIRST TALK ABOUT THE IDEA THAT TEACHERS FEEL VILIFIED IF THEY ARE OVERWORKED AND DON'T FEEL APPRECIATED.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU?

IF SO, WHY ARE THEY BEING TARGETED?

>> I DON'T THINK TEACHERS SHOULD BE ATTACKED AND SHOULD BE FULLY SUPPORTED.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MY OPPONENT WANTS TO USE AS A PLATFORM WHEN I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER AND TALKING ABOUT CAT LITTER BOXES I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE FINDING THESE ISSUES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.

3 HP00,000 IN SALARY BY THE TAXPAYERS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT PERFORMANCE?

SCOTT: PLEASE RESPOND.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, HOW ARE YOU DEFINING GRADUATION?

>> SECOND ALL, I WAS PROUD TO SERVE AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

COLLECTIVELY WE RECOGNIZE AND WORKED CLOSELY AS TEAM TO DO SO AS OPPOSED TO YOU HAVE HELD THE PURSE STRINGS FOR DECADES AND OUR SCHOOLS ARE STILL AT THE LAST.

YOU WANT OUR SCHOOLS TO BE WATCHED WHILE OUR SCHOOLS ARE AT THE POT TOM.

WANT TO MOVE ARIZONA FORWARD PAUSE THE PARENTS, CHILDREN DESERVE TO BE PRIORITIZE.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PURSE STRINGS.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS THE LEGISLATURE.

AND THEY HAVE DETERMINED THE PURSE STRINGS, THE BANKER IS THE ONE WHO IS THE TREASURE.

AND WE DISTRIBUTE THE MONEY AS DETERMINED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY MAKE THE LAWS.

THEY DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATIONS.

SO PURSE STRINGS ARE DETERMINED AT THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL.

THE STATE TREASURE HAS NO SAY END HOW MUCH WE DISTRIBUTE.

WE FOLLOW THE LAW.

WE FOLLOW THE LEGISLATURE.

SCOTT: LAST PRESIDENT POINT, PLEASE.

>> AS AN ADMINISTRATOR.

AS TREASURE.

YOU ADMINISTRATED THE ESA PROGRAM.

YOU WATCHED.

NO IT DOESN'T.

>> WHILE MILLIONS THREW OUT THE FLOOR.

YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHOUTING FROM THE RADIO H ROOFTOP.

YOU KNEW IT WAS HAPPENING.

YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOP AND PROTECT TAXPAYER DOLLARS INSTEAD YOU STAYED SILENT UNTIL IT WAS TIME TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND BASE YOUR WHOLE CAMPAIGN ON THIS.

>> MY OPPONENT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE DAILY OPERATIONAL ROLE IS DO DONE BY THE STATE, FIGHT 15, YOU WILL SAY IT.

THE STATE TREASURE ONLY HOLDS THIS CONTACT FOR WHICH THE FINANCIAL PLATFORM EXISTS FOR ESA'S.

THERE IS NO DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION.

YOU CAN CHECK THE COURT RULINGS AS WELL.

WE WON THAT CASE AGAINST 12 NEWS THAT SHOWED, THAT WE DO NOT HAVE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONAL AUTHORITY FOR ESA'S LIKE YOU KNEW.

>> THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF STATE PUBLIC INSTRUCTION HAS THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO RUN AGAIN.

>> AGAIN, YOU KNEW IT WAS HAPPENING.

YOU DID NOTHING TO PROTECT TAXPAYER RESOURCES WHILE THIS MONEY WAS FLOWING OUT THE DOOR.

>> YOU COULD HAVE USED YOUR POSITION.

REGARDING ESA'S, GUARDRAILS, ELIMINATION, NEITHER, WHERE DO YOU NOONED WE NEED TO HAVE GUARDRAILS IN ARIZONA.

ARIZONA IS THE CANARY IN THE COAL MINE.

OTHER STATES HAVE COMMON SENSE GUARDRAILS AND WE SHOULD HAVE THOSE.

WE SHOULD BE PROTECTING TAXPAYER RESOURCES.

WE SHOULD BE ENSURING THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE LEARNING.

WE SHOULD ENSURE WHAT THE BANG GROUND CHECKS ARE OF INDIVIDUALS.

ARE WE NOTING THAT YOU?

>> NO, SIR.

DO YOU THINK GUARDRAILS ARE NEEDED.

ELIMINATION I AM SURE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GO FOR THAT.

ARE GUARDRAILS NEEDED?

>> WE NEED MORE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE SYSTEM.

AND IT STARTS WITH THE FINANCIAL PLATFORM WHICH I HAVE DISCUSSED EARLIER.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE A FINANCIAL PLATFORM, THAT IS OUTDATED.

WE WANT TO HAVE A SOPHISTICATED TECH KNOW LOGICAL PLATFORM FOR WHICH THE CONTRACT IS HELD FOR ESA'S.

THIS MEANS THAT YOU HAVE GREATER TECHNOLOGIES.

RED FLAGS WHEN A USER OF ESA'S', A FAMILY IS TRYING TO MAKE A PURCHASE, IT IS NOT AN EDUCATIONAL PURCHASE.

IT IS ONE THAT IS NOT DEFEND BY A QUALIFIED EDUCATIONAL EXPENSE, IF WE DID HAVE THAT, IT WOULD FLAG THAT EXPENDITURE AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE.

WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

WE NEED A PLATFORM DO IT.

SCOTT: IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE FLAGS WOULD NEVER STOP ACCORDING TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING SO FAR.

YOU MENTIONED 12 NEWS.

THEY DID A RANDOM AUDIT.

20% HAD ONE MISSPENDING BACK ON THE NAPKIN MATH HERE TO.

THAT IS 80 SOME ODD THOUSAND.

THAT DOESN'T SOUND GOOD.

THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A PROGRAM THAT IS IN CONTROL.

THERE IS ACTUALLY ONLY ABOUT A 2% MISSPENDING RATE.

IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS,.

>> 2% AS OPPOSED TO 20.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE DATA.

>> I THINK WE ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW BECAUSE NO ONE HAS SEEN THE FULL DATA SET.

THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS CALL FOR INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY AUDIT BECAUSE ARIZONA TAXPAYERS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW HOW OUR RESOURCES ARE BEING SPENT.

MISS YEE HAS ADMITTED TO BEING THE WRITERS FOR THE ESA PROGRAM AND IT HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO BE EXPLOITED AND IT IS.

>> IT WAS NOT WRITTEN TO BE EXPLOITED MY OPPONENT USES THIS BECAUSE SHE IT HAS SCHOOL CHOICE AND WANTS TO TEAR SCHOOL OF CHOICE IN ARIZONA WHICH WE HAVE HAD FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS IN FACT WE WANT TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY IN ALL SYSTEMS FROM STATE CHARTER SCHOOLS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ESA PROGRAM AND WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IS ENSURE THEY ARE SPENT IN THE WAY THAT THEY WERE MEANT TO BE SPENT AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS TEE FINED WHAT A QUALIFIED EXPENSE IS.

>> THE LEGISLATURE ALSO HAS NOT PUT ANY KIND OF FAMILY INCOME CAP ON THERE AND ADMINISTRATIVE FOR A WHILE THERE AND NOT ON THE BALLOT THIS GO AROUND 150,000 FAMILY THE GOVERNOR IS TALKING ABOUT$250,000 FAMILY NEW MEXICO SHOULD THERE BE A FAMILY INCOME CAP FOR ES'S.

WELL THAT IS NOT A QUESTION FOR A SUPERINTENDENT.

I AM ASKING YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE MAKES THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> I DO BELIEVE WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IN 2022 MADE ESA'S UNIVERSAL THEY WANTED TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE EVERY CHILD HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE BECAUSE PARENTS KNOW BEST WHAT IS THE RIGHT SETTLING, ENVIRONMENT FOR THAT CHILD, AND THEIR UNIQUE NEED.

SO THEY DETERMINED AT THAT TIME, WHEN THEY PASSED UNIVERSAL TO NOT PUT INCOME CAPS ON.

>> THE IDEA OF NO INCOME CAPS.

I NEEDED TO GO BACK FOR A SECOND BECAUSE I AM NOT OPPOSED TO CHOICE.

AM NOT OPPOSED TO PARENT CHOICE.

WHAT I AM OPPOSED TO IS NOT HAVING ACCOUNTABILITY.

PUBLIC DOLLARS DEMAND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY.

NO NOW WITH RESPECT TO INCOME CAPS IN A TIME WHEN ARIZONANS ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME IN PUTTING FOOD TON THE TABLE, GAS IN THE CARS, EVERY DAY ARIZONANS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A MILLIONAIRE'S EDUCATIONAL DECISION.

THERE SHOULD BE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE RESOURCE.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT KIND OF CAP?

$150-$250, DO I HEAR A$350?

>> I AM SAYING THAT EVERY DAY ARIZONANS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR MILLIONAIRE'S DECISION.

>> : RESPOND PLEASE.

WE SHOULD HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT ARIZONA HAS DONE VERY WELL WITH SINCE THE 19 90'S, WHERE WE ESTABLISHED OPEN ENROLLMENT.

WHERE YOU CAN GO TO SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF THE RESIDENTIAL ZIP CODE, WE ESTABLISHED EXCELLENT CHARTER SCHOOLS IN ARIZONA THAT ARE NOT ONLY MAKING THE TOP RANKING OF "U.S.

NEWS AND WORLD REPORT" BUT YEAR AFTER YEAR, WE SEE INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN THE SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS IN ARIZONA.

LET IT RIDE.

LET US TAKE A LOOK AT THE FUTURE.

SHOULD WE SEE STANDARDIZED TEST FOR HOMESCHOOL, PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS THESE SORT OF THINGS?

>> GOOD IDEA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE IN 2018 ARIZONA VOTERS VOTED DOWN 2-1 UNIVERSAL EXPANSION AND DESPITE THE WILL OF THE VOTERS, THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE PUSHED IT THROUGH IN 2022 AND SIGNED INTO LAW.

ARIZONANS DO NOT WANT UNIVERSAL EXPANSION.

>> HOMESCHOOL AND PRIVATE KIDS?

>> I AM A STRONG SUPPORTER OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND HOMESCHOOLS.

AND THESE PARENTS KNOW BEST HOW TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILD.

THEY ARE FINDING THE BEST OF THE BEST RESOURCE FOR THEM.

WHETHER IT IS A PRIVATE SERVICE FOR CHILD WHO MAY HAVE A DISABILITY TO BEING ABLE TO GO IF THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THOSE PRIVATE SCHOOLS NO REQUIRED TEST.

IF WE DO THEN THE GOVERNMENT IS GETTING INTO THE SYSTEM OF PRIVATE ENTITY AND THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO START MOVING INTO GOVERNMENT IN THE PRIVATE ENTITY OF CORPORATIONS AND BUSINESSES AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY NOT REGULATED THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT.

>> DUAL LANGUAGE PROBLEMS?

DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT PLEASE.

>> I ABSOLUTELY DO.

THE GOVERNMENT IS ALREADY INVOLVED IN THE PRIVATE DECISIONS WHEN THE PUBLIC DOLLARS ARE ACCEPTED.

WHAT'S THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT?

HOW DO ARIZONA TAXPAYERS KNOWS HOW THE DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT.

WE KNOW VERY WELL INCLUDING THE CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE DOING ASSESSMENT-WISE.

WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HOMESCHOOLS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

>> DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS ARE THEY GOOD FOR ARIZONA ?

ARE THEY MAKING A DIFFERENCE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I HAVE VISITED MANY DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOLS AROUND ARIZONA AND I AM SO IMPRESSED BECAUSE THEY ARE RIGOROUS, OUR STUDENTS ARE SELLING AND HAVING A HUMAN IN PACK NOT ONLY DOES IT HELP STUDENTS LEARN ENGLISH BUT HELPS ENGLISH SPEAKERS LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE AND SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT WE NEED TO PUT MORE FUNDING INTO DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS THESE ARE PROGRAMS WE HAVE TO BE NOT ONLY DULY SKILLED BUT COMPETE IN THE WORKFORCE.

WHAT ABOUT DEI?

FOR OR AGAINST?

I AM FOR A MERIT AND EXPERIENCE AND PROVING CAPABILITIES FOR A JOB.

SO WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT DEI PROGRAMS YOU ARE DOING IT BASED ON CERTAIN TYPES OF QUALIFICATIONS SO I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD GET BACK TO THE BASICS ON MERIT AND EXPERIENCE AND THAT IS HOW SOMEONE SHOULD RECEIVE THEIR JOB.

OK.

SO NO.

KNICKING THE DEI.

>> DTI IS A DISTRACTION TO READING AND MATH.

>.

RESPOND, PLEASE.

>> LOOK.

I AM A 35-YEAR CAREER EDUCATOR.

I HAVE TAUGHT THE STUDENTS IN FRONT OF US.

THAT IS WHAT EDUCATORS DO.

TEACH EVERYONE IN THE CLASS.

IT IS A DISTRACTION.

I IS A CULTURE WAR SO WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT 27% OF THE EIGHTH GRADERS ARE PROFICIENT INMATE.

S THAT THE PROBLEM WE NEED TO SOLVE.

THIS IS A CULTURE WAR.

A ALL RIGHT.

SO AGAIN, DO YOU SUPPORT THOSE KIND OF INITIATIVES?

>> I SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS WHERE ALL THE STUDENTS FEEL VALUE AND WELCOMED.

DO THEY MEAN SUPPORTING THOSE KINDS OF INITIATIVES.

I AM NOT SURE.

BECAUSE MISS YEE IS TALKING ABOUT HIRING PEOPLE.

AM TALKING ABOUT EDUCATING STUDENT.

>> THAT IS WHAT I WILL FOCUS ON IS EDUCATING THE STUDENT.

AS OK.

LAST QUESTION HERE.

AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

IT IS ADVOCATING FOR EDUCATION IN THE LEGISLATURE AND WITH THE PULLEY PULPIT ALL ASPECTS OF IT.

IT IS THAT PART OF THE JOB AND IF SO, WOULD YOU ADVOCATE FOR MORE MONEY?

FOR MORE ACCOUNTABILITY?

ALL THE THINGS WE SEEM TO HAVE TALKED ABOUT HERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE, THE LEADERS ESPECIALLY IN THE EDUCATION COMMUNITIES AND ENSURING THAT WE NOT ONLY HAVE A PLATFORM, BUT ADVOCATE WHO IS THERE IN CHARGE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MAKING SURE WE ARE STANDING FOR THE SCHOOLS IN ARIZONA AND STANDING FOR ENSURING THAT WE GET TOT THE POINT OF ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY THAT THESE FAMILIES DESERVE.

IS ADVOCATING FOR EDUCATION, THEN AGAIN, TALKING ABOUT JUST GOING TO THE LEGISLATURE AND SAYING YOU ARE NOT DOING THIS AND NOT DOING THAT.

HELP.

LET'S GIT RIGHT.

THAT IS PART OF THE JOB?

ABSOLUTELY.

WOULD BE THE ADVOCATE AND CHIEF WORKING WITH THE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN LEGISLATURE EVERY DAY ENSURING THEY ARE UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN IT.

I HAVE LIVED IT ENSURING THAT ARIZONA-- I KNOW, WE SHOULD NOT BE AT THE BOTTOM.

ARIZONA WOULD WANT US TO BE.

>> THAT IS A GOOD PLACE WE'LL STOP.

WE'LL HEAD TO CLOSING STATEMENTS HERE.

RELATIVELY QUICKLY,.

>> I HAVE 340 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN K-12 EDUCATION POLL POLICY.

I HAVE VOTED ON INITIATIVES AND ON APPROPRIATIONS THAT SUPPORT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM ALL AROUND SO I AM THE PROVEN LEADER IN THE POSITION TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE JOB DONE.

WHY IS NOT ARIZONA KNOWN AS EDUCATION STATE SNOOT AS MY, AS MISS YEE SAID, SHE HAS BEEN IN THE HE LEGISLATURE FOR A LONG TIME AND WORKED IN EDUCATION POLICY.

YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE NOT PRIOR TIDES DESPITE YOU BEING THERE.

WE ARE NOT PRIORITIZED.

AM EDUCATOR FOR 35 YEARS, 25 YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM TEACHING ALGEBRA AND WE ARE NOT ONLY SUPPORTED THE STUDENTS BUT ALSO BUILD WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT IMPACT OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY.

WE SHOULD BE NUMBER ONE.

OUR PARENTS WANT US TO BE NUMBER ONE AND PROVIDE WORLD CLASS EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> RESPOND, PLEASE.

YOU HAVE PRIORITIZED WITH EXPERIENCE.

>> TAKE A LOOK AT THE RECORD AND THE VOTERS WILL SEE THAT I HAVE LONG SUPPORTED EDUCATION AND INITIATIVES LAWS I HAVE BEEN RIGHTEN THERE THE VERY FRONT LINES ENSURING WE ARE FILING FOR THOSE FAMILIES?

ALL RIGHT.

CANDIDATES, WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.

IT IS TIME NOW FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, WE START WITH TERESA LEYBA RUIZ.

>> THANK YOU, ARIZONA FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT OUR SCHOOLS.

YOU HAVE SEEN A CLEAR CHOICE TONIGHT.

YOU CAN CHOOSE MORE POLITICAL FIGHTING ANDY VISION OR YOU CAN CHOOSE EDUCATION LEADER WHO HAS SPENT CAREER FOCUSED ON THE STUDENTS IN.

THAT IS THE LEADERSHIP THAT WILL BRING TO ARIZONA SUPERINTENDENT BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS ARE FACING REAL CHALLENGES.

WE MUST SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS, HOLD THE SYSTEM ACCOUNTABLE AND ENSURE THAT EVERY EDUCATION DOLLAR GOES SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS.

I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME.

I WOULD BE HONORED TO EARN YOUR VOTE.

THANK YOU.

TED: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NOW THE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM KIMBERLY YEE.

>> I AM KIMBERLY YEE.

I AM PROUD TO HAVE EARNED YOUR TRUST OVER THE YEARS WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY REPRESENTING AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

I HAVE SPENT 30 YEARS IN K THROUGH 1 EDUCATION POLICY.

AND IT IS TIME FOR US TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS IN EDUCATION.

IT IS TIME FOR PARENTS NOT THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR CHILD'S UNIQUE AND SPECIAL NEEDS.

I AM NOT A PARTISAN.

I AM SOMEONE FOCUSED ON POLICY, PURPOSE, AND REAL SOLUTIONS.

THAT IS WHY FOUR FORMER STATE SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, THE NO LABELS, ARIZONA PENT PARTY HAVE UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED MY CAMPAIGN.

I AM HERE TO STAND WITH ALL ARIZONA FAMILIES NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE OR WHAT YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION IS.

WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE CLASSROOM FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME IN RUNNING FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE AT KIMBERLY YEE.COM.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

GOOD YOU HAVE BOTH HERE.

THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I AM TED SIMONS THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.