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

I'M TED SIMONS.

TONIGHT, WE DEBUT OUR CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION WITH DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, A STATEWIDE OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING ARIZONA'S PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

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.

INTERJECTIONS AND OCCASIONAL INTERRUPTION ARE ALLOWED PROVIDED ALL SIDES GET A FAIR SHAKE.

JOINING US IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, BRETT NEWBY, EDUCATOR AND BEHAVIOR ANALYST AND TERESA LEYBA RUIZ, FORMER PRESIDENT OF GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TERESA, START WITH YOU, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE DUTIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, AND WHERE DOES ADVOCACY FALL IN THOSE ROLES?

>> WELL, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION IS THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY THINGS, IMPLEMENTING POLICIES AND LAWS SET BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND OUR STATE LEGISLATURE, ENSURING TEACHER CERTIFICATIONS, BUT I THINK WHAT IT REALLY SHOULD BE IS THE ADVOCATE IN CHIEF FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, FOR THE ONE MILLION STUDENTS ACROSS ARIZONA.

TED: SO ADVOCACY WOULD BE A BIG DEAL FOR YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK, BRETT?

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

>> I WOULD SAY AS THE SUPERINTENDENT, IT'S THE PERSON THAT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER, BRINGING ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY HERE IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA TOGETHER, OUR LATINO COMMUNITIES, BLACK COMMUNITIES, LGBTQs, INDIGENOUS FOLKS, AS WELL AS OUR SPECIAL NEEDS, OUR FOSTER KIDS, AND REALLY BEING THE PERSON THAT IS ADVOCATING FOR THEM TO HAVE A SEAT AT TABLE TO HAVE EQUITABLE FUNDING BUT ALSO EQUITABLE LEGISLATURE FOR THE SCHOOLS.

TED: YOU MENTIONED FUNDING, OBVIOUSLY YOU WOULD BE PUSHING FOR ADDITIONAL EDUCATION FUNDING.

IS ARIZONA RIGHT NOW SPENDING ENOUGH ON EDUCATION FUNDING?

I ASK THAT QUESTION BECAUSE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION WOULD BE, IS THE SPENDING IN THE RIGHT WAY?

IS ARIZONA USING THE MONEY IT HAS CORRECTLY?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

IN ARIZONA, WE'RE LAST IN PER PUPIL SPENDING ACROSS THE NATION.

WE ARE CUTTING FUNDS EVERY DAY, OUR STATE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN TAKING A SLEDGEHAMMER TO OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR DECADES AND WE REALLY NEED TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A COALITION OF NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY THAT ARE GOING TO COME TOGETHER TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE EQUITABLE FUNDING NOT ONLY FOR OUR METROPOLITAN AREA, BUT ALSO OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

TED: AND TERESA, ARIZONA RANKED 49th IN PER PUPIL SPENDING, WE'RE CONSISTENTLY AT THE BOTTOM.

WHAT CAN THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION DO WITH THAT PARTICULAR PULPIT TO CHANGE THIS?

>> I THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL PLATFORM TO ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THAT MEANS WORKING WITH STATE LEGISLATURES, MANY OF WHOM HAVE ENDORSED OUR CAMPAIGN.

IT MEANS ENSURING THAT BECAUSE EDUCATION IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THAT WE HAVE INDUSTRY PARTNERS AT THE TABLE AS WELL.

THIS IS A CRITICAL PIPELINE FOR THE WORKFORCE.

I THINK THE BEST THING I CAN DO AS SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION IS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH OUR LEGISLATURES TO ENSURE THEY'RE FUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION AT A LEVEL IT SHOULD BE AND SERVING AS ADVOCATE IN CHIEF.

TED: WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION FUNDING, SHOULD MORE OF THAT MONEY BE GOING DIRECTLY TO TEACHERS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

JUST IN GENERAL WE ARE SO UNDERFUNDED WE ARE UNABLE TO PAY TEACHERS THE SALARY THEY DESERVE, AND SHOULD PUT MORE MONEY NOT ONLY INTO TEACHERS BUT THE SUPPORT STAFF IT TAKES TO RUN A SCHOOL.

TED: IF THAT TAKES MONEY AWAY FROM SUPPORT STAFF AND BUS DRIVERS, WOULD YOU STILL BE FOR THAT?

>> I WOULD NOT.

TED: DIRECTLY TO TEACHERS IS NOT NECESSARILY THE WAY YOU GO ABOUT IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I WOULD PUT IT TO THE DISTRICT AND THE DISTRICT WOULD DECIDE THE BEST WAY TO USE THE RESOURCES.

TED: DISTRICTS FIRST OR TEACHERS FIRST?

>> FOR ME TEACHERS ARE THE MAIN PROVIDER, THEY NEED TO BE PROFESSIONAL.

THEY NEED TO BE PAID APPROPRIATELY, BUT I THINK WE CAN ALSO ADVOCATE AS WE SAID IN THE EARLIER QUESTION IS THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE THE ONES THAT ARE DOING THE WORK, BUT TEACHER BURNOUT, OUR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS ARE THE REASONS TEACHERS ARE LEAVING THE FIELD, AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM TO ENHANCE TEACHERS, AND IF WE'RE HOME GROWING OUR OWN TEACHERS, WE CAN BUILD THE STRUCTURE AND EVOLVE IT INTO BETTER TEACHING CAPABILITIES AND FRAMEWORKS.

>> I WANT TO GET BACK TO TEACHER BURNOUT IN A SECOND, WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING AGAIN, IS IT TIME TO RECONSIDER BLOAT AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL?

>> AS A LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST, I AM DATA DRIVEN, LOOKING WHERE DISTRICTS ARE SPENDING MONEY, WHERE THE STATE FUNDING IS GOING, ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE AUDITED, FIGURED OUT WHERE IS OUR MONEY GOING, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THERE IS MONEY JUST KIND OF BEING FREELY GIVEN OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REINED IN, GUARDRAILS AND ENSURING THAT FUNDING IS GOING TO THE CLASSROOMS.

>> SO MORE ACCOUNTABILITY IS NEEDED AS FAR AS YOU'RE CONCERNED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

TED: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE IDEA THAT THE ADMINISTRATORS GETTING THE BULK HERE AND THE TEACHERS AREN'T GETTING ENOUGH AND THAT NEEDS TO FLIP-FLOP?

>> INTERESTING CONVERSATION THAT COMES UP A LOT, BUT THE REALITY IS, ON AVERAGE, ONLY 10% OF SCHOOL DISTRICT'S BUDGETS GO TOWARDS ADMINISTRATION, SO I DON'T THINK -- I THINK IT'S A FALSE NARRATIVE.

I THINK THAT IN GENERAL, SCHOOLS ARE SO UNDERFUNDED THAT TEACHERS ARE WEARING MULTIPLE HATS, ADMINISTRATORS ARE WEARING MULTIPLE HATS AND ASKED TO DO MORE WITH LESS AND LESS EVERY YEAR.

TED: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PERSISTENT TEACHER SHORTAGE IN ARIZONA.

A THOUSAND RESIGNED BETWEEN JULY AND NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR, THE HIGHEST STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIO IN THE COUNTRY NOW.

THOSE COULD BE REASONS, PROBABLY ARE REASONS.

WHY ARE TEACHERS NOT ENTERING THE PROFESSION AND THOSE THAT ARE HERE, LEAVING IT?

>> I THINK IT'S BEEN VILIFIED AS THIS NOBLE PROFESSION, TEACHERS, THERE IS MISTRUST, TEACHERS ARE OVERWORKED, CLASSROOM SIZES ARE GETTING LARGER AND THEY'RE JUST OVERALL FEELING NOT SUPPORTED.

THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT CONTINUES TO VILIFY OUR TEACHERS, WHO WANTS TO WORK FOR A BAD BOSS?

TED: YEAH, THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT ALSO SAID THAT DISCIPLINE IS A MAJOR FACTOR.

DOES HE HAVE A POINT?

DISCIPLINE IN THE CLASSROOM?

>> DISCIPLINE IS PART OF A NORMAL TEACHING PROCESS, AND YOU WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS TO SUPPORT THE TEACHERS.

MENTAL HEALTH IS A HUGE ISSUE IN ARIZONA.

WE'RE NOT PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO OUR STUDENTS, AND WE'RE ASKING OUR TEACHERS TO HANDLE MORE AND MORE WITH LESS AND LESS.

TED: IS IT -- YOU REFERRED TO THIS EARLIER, IS DISCIPLINE ON THE CAMPUS, IN THE CLASSROOM, IS THAT THE BIGGEST REASON?

BECAUSE THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION THINKS IT IS, THAT'S THE REASON TEACHERS ARE LEAVING IN DROVES.

IS THAT THE BIG REASON?

>> MY CURRENT CONVERSATIONS, THEY DON'T HAVE SUPPORT.

ALL THE SUPPORT IS CUT.

THERE ARE NO BEHAVIOR SPECIALISTS, NO MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS.

OUR COUNSELOR-TO-STUDENT RATIO IS ONE OF THE WORST IN THE NATION.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE SUPPORT, ALL OF THAT FALLING ON THE BACK OF THE CLASSROOM TEACHER SIMPLY TRYING TO EDUCATE 20 TO 40 KIDS IN A CLASSROOM, AND IT'S NOT DOABLE FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON, LET ALONE A CERTIFIED TEACHER HERE IN ARIZONA.

>> AND I THINK RELATED TO THAT, RECENTLY THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID EVERY TEACHER SHOULD GET A $10,000 RAISE.

AS I TRAVEL THE STATE AND TALK TO THE TEACHERS, ONE TEACHER SAID KEEP YOUR $10,000, FIX MY AIR CONDITIONING AND HIRE ME A PARAPROFESSIONAL.

TED: I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE DISCIPLINE ASPECT, HAVING RESOURCE OFFICERS, POLICE OFFICERS ON CAMPUS, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS THERE?

>> I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT PART OF THE SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS.

SCHOOLS ARE ABLE TO DECIDE DID THEY WANT A COUNSELOR, A SOCIAL WORKER OR SRO, SCHOOL SAFETY RESOURCE OFFICER, AND I WOULD SUPPORT THE DISTRICTS IN WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR, NOT USING MY ONLY PERSONAL IDEOLOGY AS THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT DOES.

IF THE SCHOOL IS ASKING FOR A COUNSELOR, GET THEM A COUNSELOR.

AND THE SCHOOLS KNOW, THEY KNOW WHAT THE COMMUNITIES NEED, THEY KNOW WHAT THE STUDENTS NEED, AND I WOULD HONOR WHAT THEY'RE REQUESTING.

TED: THE LATEST SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS, ACCORDING TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, 200 SCHOOLS WANTED MORE COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS.

250 WANTED MORE OFFICERS ON CAMPUS.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU?

>> THAT MORE SUPPORT IS NEEDED.

YOU KNOW, THE TEACHERS ARE TRYING TO MANAGE THE CLASSROOMS, BUT ALSO I THINK REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO IS BRING MORE REPRESENTATION FROM THE COMMUNITY INTO OUR SCHOOLS FOR KIDS THAT SEE FOLKS THAT LOOK LIKE THEM, IT MEANS SOMETHING TO THEM, AND SO IF WE CAN BRING IN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF THAT ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITIES WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS, I THINK THAT MAKES A BIGGER IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY AND CREATING SAFE ENVIRONMENTS FOR OUR STUDENTS.

TED: HAVING THE OFFICERS ON CAMPUS, SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS AS WELL ARE THAT IT KEEPS TRUANCY DOWN, YOU SEE THAT, YOU THINK THE KIDS ARE NOT SKIPPING SCHOOL QUITE AS MUCH, AND IT DOES PROVIDE A SENSE OF SAFETY THERE.

THIS IS A PRETTY BIG TEAL AND LIKELY BE A VERY BIG DEAL IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

YOU STILL SAY LET THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE SCHOOLS DECIDE?

>> I WANT TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS, AND IF THE SCHOOLS ARE ASKING FOR A COUNSELOR BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEIR COMMUNITY IS SAFE AND THEY ARE NOT REQUESTING A RESOURCE OFFICER, I THINK WE SHOULD HONOR THEIR REQUEST.

TED: IN THE LAST ELECTION, THE CRITICS OF THE LAST DEMOCRATIC SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION SAYS SHE PUTS TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL LEARNING AND NOT ON DISCIPLINE.

VALID CRITICISM?

>> NO, IT'S NOT VALID CRITICISM.

I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU'RE ADDRESSING A STUDENT'S SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, YOU ARE HELPING THEM BECOME BETTER DISCIPLINED IN THE CLASSROOM.

ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THEIR EMOTIONS AND WORK THROUGH THOSE.

IT'S A FALSE NARRATIVE TO SAY THAT STUDENTS DON'T NEED HELP WITH THEIR EMOTIONAL LEARNING.

TED: AS FAR AS A SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING, MORE NEEDED?

LESS NEEDED?

SEEMS LIKE WE WENT IN THE OTHER DIRECTION UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, BUT GO BACK IF YOU'RE ELECTED.

>> YES, I'M A FULL BELIEVER THAT WE NEED MORE, NOT LESS.

HOW DO WE MAKE FRIENDS?

HOW DO WE NAVIGATE OUR SOCIAL CIRCLES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY?

THESE ARE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL THINGS.

HUMAN BEHAVIOR HAPPENS ALL DAY EVERY DAY, TO SAY WE NEED LESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, FOR ME, DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AS A LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST BECAUSE EVERYBODY NEEDS HELP.

LIFE IS HARD, THERE IS HARD FEEDBACK OUT THERE, AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT FAIR, BUT IF WE CAN TEACH OUR KIDS TO OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES AND TO DEAL WITH ADVERSITY, WE CAN BE A BETTER COMMUNITY.

TED: WHAT DO YOU TELL FOLKS WHO SAY, NO, THE KIDS NEED DISCIPLINE, NOT GETTING THE DISCIPLINE, THEY'RE RUNNING RAMPANT, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING IS GREAT, YOU GOT TO GET THEM IN THE CHAIR TO GET THAT DONE, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I WOULD INVITE THEM IN THE CLASSROOM.

THERE IS STILL SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

AS BRETT SAID, IT'S PART OF LIFE EVER DAY.

AND WE'RE HELPING STUDENTS ADAPT TO THEIR OWN EMOTIONS.

FOR PEOPLE SAYING IT'S NOT NECESSARY, HAVE NOT BEEN TO A CLASSROOM LATELY, AND I INVITE THEM IN.

TED: ESAs, GUARDRAILS OR ELIMINATION?

>> I THINK THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO GUARDRAILS.

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE LEGISLATURE REFUSES TO PUT GUARDRAILS IN PLACE.

ARIZONA HAS THE MOST OPEN VOUCHER SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY, AND WE'RE FINDING THAT THAT BILLION DOLLARS THAT'S COSTING TAXPAYERS SO MUCH MONEY, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE POSITIVE IMPACT WILL BE BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ACCEPT THE VOUCHERS DO NOT HAVE TO TEST THEIR STUDENTS, THERE IS NO BACKGROUND CHECKS.

DO WE KNOW IF OUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE?

THERE DEFINITELY MUST BE GUARDRAILS.

IF WE HAVE THE VOUCHERS, WELCOME THE GUARDRAILS.

TED: SHOULD WE HAVE THE GUARDRAILS?

>> THAT'S THE BIGGER CONVERSATION, I BELIEVE THE ORIGINAL INTENTION IS VALID AND NECESSARY TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, TO SUPPORT MILITARY CHILDREN, TO SUPPORT CHILDREN ON INDIGENOUS NATIONS.

WHERE IT IS NOW AS A UNIVERSAL VOUCHER HAS SHOWN IT IS OUT OF CONTROL BECAUSE THERE ARE ZERO GUARDRAILS.

ORIGINAL INTENTION IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO USE RESOURCES.

TED: UNIVERSAL ESAs, AGAIN, SHOULD THERE BE CONTROLS AND GUARDRAILS OR SHOULD THE WHOLE THING GO AWAY?

>> DEFINITELY NEED TO HAVE GUARDRAILS ON AS IT IS NOW.

FIRST STEP IS ONCE I'M IN OFFICE IS TO AUDIT AND PUT GUARDRAILS ON THE SYSTEM.

THE ORIGINAL INTENT FOR STUDENTS TO GET ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT, REALLY NEEDS A FURTHER INVESTIGATION BECAUSE WE'RE GIVING AWAY A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY THAT IS GOING AWAY FROM THE SCHOOLS FOR OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, BUT ARE THEY REALLY GETTING ADEQUATE CARE?

ARE THEY REALLY SAFE?

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE COME IN WITH THE ESAs, WE'RE INVITING PRIVATE EQUITY INTO THE CONVERSATION, AND HOW IS THAT MONEY BEING DISTRIBUTED TO THE STUDENT IN THE CLASSROOM?

TED: $150,000 FAMILY INCOME CAP, THAT WOULD BE A GUARDRAIL.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD SUPPORT?

>> IT'S A GOOD START.

I BELIEVE IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT AND OUR STATE LEGISLATURE IS NOT GOING TO BUDGE AND CHANGE THE LEGISLATION HOW THE ESAs AND VOUCHER PROGRAM WORKS, I THINK WE DEFINITELY NEED HARD GUARDRAILS IN UNTIL WE NAVIGATE A SYSTEM WHERE WE CAN CHANGE THE LEGISLATIVE -- TED: INCOME FAMILY CAP, 150,000, THAT'S WHAT THE INITIATIVE IS CALLING FOR THAT'S OUT.

THERE IS THAT A HARD ENOUGH GUARDRAIL?

>> I WOULD AGREE.

I THINK THAT'S A START.

THE INITIATIVE THAT'S WORKING THROUGH ALLOWS FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO HAPPEN, AND I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL WAY TO SHOW TAXPAYER DOLLARS DESERVE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY, PUBLIC DOLLARS, PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY.

IF THERE'S A GUARDRAIL ON THE INCOME CAP LIMIT, THAT'S A WONDERFUL START TO THE CONVERSATION OF WHAT'S THE RIGHT AMOUNT.

TED: IDEOLOGICALLY SPEAKING HERE, THOUGH, WHY NOT LET PARENTS SPEND MONEY THAT IS ALLOCATED BY THE STATE PER STUDENT, WHY NOT LET THEM MAKE THAT DECISION OF WHAT TO DO WITH THAT MONEY?

>> WELL, THERE'S A HANDBOOK, FIRST OF ALL, THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED.

THE HANDBOOK APPARENTLY IS NOT BEING FOLLOWED WHAT CAN BE PURCHASED AND CAN'T BE.

THIS IS PUBLIC DOLLARS, WE CAN'T LET MONEY BE SPENT WILLY-NILLY.

THERE MUST BE AN EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE TO THE RESOURCES.

>> AGAIN, IN TERMS OF JUST THAT THE CONCEPT OF TAKING MONEY THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE RELEGATED BY THE STATE TO AN INDIVIDUAL STUDENT, AND LETTING THAT FAMILY DECIDE WHERE THE STUDENT GETS TO GO TO SCHOOL, UP TO AND INCLUDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THAT CONCEPT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT?

>> THE PROBLEM WITH PRIVATE SCHOOLS -- AND I'LL GO BACK TO THIS AGAIN.

THERE IS NOT THE SAP ACCOUNTABILITY AS THERE IS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO'S TEACHING THE CHILDREN, DON'T HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK, WE DON'T KNOW IF THE CHILDREN ARE SAFE.

THAT SHOULD BE A CONCERN FOR ALL ARIZONA VOTERS.

AS I TRAVEL THE STATE, THIS IS THE FIRST ISSUE THAT COMES UP.

>> IS IT?

>> VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF THE ESAs AND FOR TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

IT'S ONE THING TO SPEND RESOURCES ON EDUCATIONAL NEEDS, BUT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS A LOT OF THAT MONEY IS BEING UNCHECKED AND UNCHALLENGED, RUBBER STAMPED, AND PURCHASES THAT ARE NOT EDUCATIONAL IN REGARD ARE HAPPENING, AND WE NEED TO PUT A STOP TO THAT AND I WOULD BRING A STOP TO THAT IMMEDIATELY.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE YOU WOULD AS WELL, OR TRY TO.

JUST THE CONCEPT OF WHAT MOST FOLKS CALL THE VOUCHER SYSTEM, THE ESAs, AND THE IDEA OF A FAMILY GETTING TO DECIDE WHERE THEIR KID GOES TO SCHOOL.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> IT WAS PROBABLY A GOOD THOUGHT AND THEORY WHEN THEY LAUNCHED IT.

WHAT WE'RE FINDING OUT IS A LOT OF THE SCHOOLS AND ESA VENDORS ARE MISREPRESENTING WHAT THEY'RE PROVIDING.

SOME OF THESE FAMILIES HAVE TAKEN THE ESA FUNDS, GONE TO THE SCHOOLS, AND THEN WITHDRAWN WITHIN THE FIRST SEVERAL WEEKS BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T GETTING WHAT THEY THOUGHT.

THERE WASN'T A SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

SO I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS IN ARIZONA THAT EVERYBODY IS PLAYING BY THE SAME RULE BOOK, FOLLOWING THE SAME RULE BOOK AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THAT RULE BOOK.

TED: SO BUTTON IT UP, GET THE ACCOUNTABILITY GOING, MAYBE THE ESA PROGRAM IS NOT SO BAD?

>> IT'S BAD CURRENTLY.

TED: NO, I'M SAYING BUTTON IT UP.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AND AUDIT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE FIRST BEFORE I CAN SAY THIS IS A GOOD THING.

TED: OKAY, AUDITS TAKING PLACE, ACCOUNTABILITY HAS HAPPENED, IT'S ALL BUTTONED UP, AS I LIKE TO KEEP SAYING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

OKAY THEN?

>> IF IT'S USED WITH THE RIGHT ACTORS, THERE ARE ALWAYS BAD ACTORS AND WE NEED TO ROOT THEM OUT.

TED: DUAL-LANGUAGE PROGRAMS IN ARIZONA SCHOOLS IS THAT GOOD FOR ARIZONA?

>> ABSOLUTELY YES.

I HAVE SEEN INCREDIBLE DUAL-LANGUAGE PROGRAMS IN ALL PARTS OF OUR STATE.

THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM, STUDENTS ARE LEARNING ANOTHER LANGUAGE, THEY ARE FABULOUS PROGRAMS AND WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THEM.

TED: DOES SUPPORTING THEM MEAN FOLLOWING THE WILL OF THE VOTERS IN A PREVIOUS PROPOSITION THAT DID NOT WANT DUAL-LANGUAGE PROGRAMS?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT ARIZONA IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT HAS AN ENGLISH-ONLY LAW.

WHEN THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ALLOWED DUAL-LANGUAGE PROGRAMS TO COME INTO EXISTENCE, THAT HAS SHOWN TO BE PROGRAMS THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

TED: IS THAT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS WHO HAVE ALREADY SAID, WAIT A MINUTE, WE'RE NOT SO CRAZY ABOUT THIS, THE PREVIOUS DUCEY ADMINISTRATION WAS INVOLVED IN THIS A LITTLE BIT AS WELL.

THE BOTTOM LINE, IS IT A GOOD THING TO HAVE DUAL-LANGUAGE PROGRAMS BECAUSE THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION HAS BEEN VERY, VERY ADAMANT THAT IT IS NOT.

>> I WOULD SAY YES, AND I SUPPORT DUAL-LANGUAGE PROGRAMS.

AS FAR AS THE VOTER INITIATIVE THAT DIDN'T PASS PREVIOUSLY, I WOULD SAY THAT THE WORLD HAS CHANGED AND ARIZONA IS WAY MORE DIVERSE THAN IT WAS THEN.

IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET DIVERSE AS WE BRING IN MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES THAT ARE BRINGING THEIR WORKFORCE TO HERE IN ARIZONA.

I THINK ALSO WE NEED TO ENHANCE IT.

THERE NEEDS TO BE DUAL-LANGUAGE PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES BECAUSE THE FAMILY THAT DOESN'T SPEAK ENGLISH AT HOME, IF THEY'RE NOT GETTING TRANSLATION TO THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE, THEY'RE MISSING OUT ON A LOT OF KEY THINGS.

TED: DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS, EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS, FOR OR AGAINST?

>> FOR.

TED: WHY?

>> IT'S A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS AN EQUAL ROLE, AS OUR CONSTITUTION GIVES US HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND I FEEL THAT WE NEED TO REPRESENT THAT IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO LOOK AT OUR BENEFITS TO EACH OTHER.

THE THINGS WE GIVE BACK AND FORTH, THAT COMES FROM CULTURE, THAT COMES FROM OUR EXPERIENCES, AND WE NEED TO SHARE THAT AND EMBRACE IT, IT'S NOT A BAD THING.

TED: DEI INITIATIVES IN SCHOOLS, FOR OR AGAINST?

>> ABSOLUTELY FOR.

I THINK OUR CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT IS AFRAID OF THREE-LETTER PHRASES, DEI, SEL, OUR KIDS CAN'T READ, ONLY 36% OF THIRD GRADERS ARE PROFICIENT IN READING, THAT HAS DECREASED UNDER THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT.

>> THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT SAYS PROGRAMS SHOULDN'T BE DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR PUPILS OF A PARTICULAR ETHNIC GROUP, IS HE WRONG?

>> I BELIEVE HE'S WRONG AND FOUND WRONG IN THE COURTS, TUCSON UNIFIED.

TED: CONCEPTUALLY, IS HE WRONG?

>> I BELIEVE HE IS WRONG BECAUSE HE FOLLOWS HIS OWN IDEOLOGY THAT DOESN'T ALLOW FOR THE STRENGTH AND DIVERSITY OF WHO OUR STUDENTS ARE.

YOU CAN'T CLOSE YOUR EYES TO WHO WE SERVE.

TED: A PARTICULAR ETHNIC GROUP GETTING A PARTICULAR ATTENTION IN THE CLASSROOM.

CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT NOT FOR IT.

YOU?

>> I'M FOR IT, IF THAT'S THE REPRESENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY IN THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IN THAT SCHOOL, THEN HECK, YEAH, THAT SHOULD BE HOW WE DO IT.

>> THE IDEA, AGAIN, WHAT HE'S BASICALLY SAYING IS SCHOOLS SHOULDN'T BE CREATING ETHNIC SOLIDARITY AS OPPOSED TO THE INDIVIDUALITY OF PUPILS.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> THE LAWS SAY WE SHOULD INDIVIDUALIZE EDUCATION.

TED: RIGHT.

>> IF WE INDIVIDUALIZING EDUCATION, WE'RE FOLLOWING THE LAW.

TED: YOU'RE SAYING IT'S NOT HAPPENING.

>> YEAH.

TED: OKAY, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> I WAS VISITING TUCSON UNIFIED AND THINK THE HISTORY AND HOW DID IT GO FROM THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN PROGRAM TO ROBUST COURSES, THEY ARE TAUGHT IN A SPECIFIC WAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND HONOR AND LEARN FROM OTHER CULTURES, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY HAVE VERY HIGH ACADEMIC SUCCESS RATE.

TED: SO IT DOESN'T FOSTER BALKANIZATION AS THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT SAYS?

>> NOT AT ALL.

TED: LAST TIME YOU WERE IN A CLASSROOM IN ARIZONA?

>> JUST LAST YEAR, I WAS TEACHING AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CLASSROOM.

TED: LAST TIME YOU WERE IN A CLASSROOM?

>> LAST YEAR, I DO CLASSROOM VISITS WITH MY CLIENTS.

TED: WE GOT TO DO THIS.

A.I.

-- WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT A.I.

AND ARIZONA PUBLIC EDUCATION?

>> IT'S NOT GOING AWAY, SO I THINK IF WE CAN TEACH OUR STAFF AND OUR KIDS TO USE IT APPROPRIATELY AND WHAT IT IS, THEN WE CAN ENHANCE THEIR LEARNING OF IT AND USE IT TO BENEFIT THEM, WHETHER IT'S STARTING A BUSINESS OR DOING SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE, BUT I THINK LEARNING TECHNOLOGY IS A GREAT TOOL FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE.

TED: A.I.

IN THE CLASSROOM.

A.I.

IN PUBLIC EDUCATION IN ARIZONA, WHERE ARE YOU ON THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY AGREE.

A.I.

ISN'T GOING AWAY, WE CAN'T PRETEND IT DOESN'T EXIST AND MORE IMPORTANTLY HAVE TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS TO USE IT RESPONSIBLY.

IT'S A TOOL.

I'M A MATH TEACHER.

IT'S LIKE A CALCULATOR, SAY.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS NOT GOING AWAY BUT NEED TO PREPARE OUR STUDENTS TO WORK ALONGSIDE THE SMART MACHINES AND PUT THE GUARDRAILS IN PLACE AND TEACH THEM TO USE IT RESPONSIBLY.

TED: ALL RIGHT, APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TIME FOR ONE-MINUTE CLOSING STATEMENTS AND GOING IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, WE START WITH BRETT NEWBY.

>> HEY, ARIZONA, MY NAME IS BRETT NEWBY AND I'M RUNNING FOR NEXT SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, I'M LOOKING TO BUILD A COALITION OF NEIGHBORS, BUILD UP THE COMMUNITY AROUND THE STATE, METROPOLITAN AREAS.

FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO ME, INVITE ME TO A CUP OF COFFEE, I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITIES.

YOU CAN FIND ALL MY POLICIES ON MY WEB, BRETT NEWBY.COM, LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

TED: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND THE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM TERESA LEYBA RUIZ?

>> THANK YOU, TED, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU, ARIZONA FOR TUNING IN.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ELECT AN EDUCATOR TO LEAD OUR SCHOOLS.

FOR ME, THIS IS PERSONAL.

I GREW UP IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I TAUGHT IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND I LED ONE OF THE LARGEST COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE STATE.

I HAVE SEEN FROM ALL ANGLES THE POSSIBILITIES WHEN WE INVEST IN OUR STUDENTS, AND NOW I AM READY TO BE THE NEXT STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND CONTINUE MY DECADES OF SERVICE TO STUDENTS.

MY SOLUTIONS ARE SIMPLE: PROTECT TAXPAYER DOLLARS, SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS, AND LET'S GET BACK TO WHAT REALLY WORKS IN THE CLASSROOMS.

ARIZONA, I HOPE YOU'RE WITH ME IN PROTECTING THE POWER AND THE PROMISE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT GAVE SO MANY OF US OUR START.

TED: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

CANDIDATES, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR THE CONVERSATION.

OUR NEXT AZ VOTES, CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION INVOLVES THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RACE FOR STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT 5:00 P.M.

AND AGAIN AT 10:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

ALL EPISODES OF CANDIDATES AND CONVERSATION ARE LIVESTREAMED ON AZPBS NOW AND CAN BE VIEWED AS WELL AT AZPBS.ORG.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.