TED: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CONVERSATION, A SPECIAL EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON.

I AM TED SIMONS.

TONIGHT WE CONTINUE WITH THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR ARIZONA SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC IN TRUCKS.

THE STATE'S TOP EDUCATION OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING ARIZONA'S PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND DIRECTING THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

NOW CANDIDATES AND CONVERSATION IS NOT A FORMAL DEPATE, AN OPEN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AN OPPORTUNITY FORGIVE AND TAKE FOR THE STATE'S MOST IMPORTANT OFFICES.

INTERSECTIONS AND THE OCCASIONAL INTERRUPS, THEY ARE ALLOWED PROVIDED ALL SIDES GET A FAIR SHAKE.

WE WILL DO OUR PEST TO SEE THAT THAT HAPPENS.

JOINING US TONIGHT TOM HORN, ARIZONA INCUMBENT SUPERINTENDENT AND KIMBERLY YE WHO SERVES AS ARIZONA STATE TREASURE.

FOOD HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

KIMBERLY, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

YOU ARE RUNNING AGAINST INCUMBENT, AN INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN?

>> WHY?

>> WELL, IN BUSINESS, IF YOU HIRE SOMEONE FOR THE JOB AND THEY DON'T MEET PERFORMANCE TAN DARED YOU FIRE THEM.

THAT IS WHAT THIS PRIMARY IS ABOUT.

IT IS ABOUT REAL RESULTS, ARIZONA CHILDREN ARE NEARLY AT THE BOTTOM WHEN IT COMES TO READING AND MATH.

THE NATION'S REPORT CARD SHOWS THAT WE ARE RANKED IN THE 25th PERCENT TILE IN READING AND MATH IN FOURTH AND EIGHTH GRADE.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE IN OUR CLASSROOMS WITH SCHOOL FUNDING.

MAKING SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS RECEIVE THAT IMPORTANT FUNDING WHERE IT MATTERS INPRESIDENT IT IS STUCK AT THE ADMINISTRATION.

RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE A FISCAL MANAGE AM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IT IS COMPLETE CHAOS.

WOULD BRING THE COMPETENCE TO THAT POSITION.

>> RESPOND, PLEASE.

>> WELL, YES.

WELL, WE ARE RANKED IN THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATION PROCESS WHICH IS THE GOAL STANDARD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK.

IN, IN FUNDING, WE ARE EITHER LAST OR AT BEST 47 DEPENDING ON THE STUDY SO WHEN YOU ARE LAST IN FUNDING AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK, IN TEST SCORESES , THESE ARE TEST SCORES WITH, WITH THE NAPS NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRESS, THESE ARE THE SAME TESTS GIVEN IN EVERY STATE.

I THINK THE SCHOOLS DESERVE CREDIT FOR THAT.

NOW WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD WITH A LOT OF INITIATIVES THAT I LIKE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT DURING OUR DISCUSSION TO IMPROVE AC DIGS.

THAT IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.

BUT IS WRONG TO SAY WE ARE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PACK IN TEST SCORES BECAUSE IN THE GOLD STANDARD, IN THE MILD OF THE PACK WHEN WE ARE LAST IN FUNDING?

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> WELL, THERE IS WROUGHT DATED INFORMATION HERE BEING PRESENTED BY OUTDATED ADMINISTRATION.

AND WE NEED FRESH NEW IDEAS.

IT IS VERY CLEAR WE NEED TO BRING READING INSTRUCTION.

WE NEED TO BRING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INTO OUR SKILLS FOR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO BE EQUIPPED WITH VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.

THEY CAN HAVE THAT CERTIFICATION UPON GRADUATION SO WE CAN READY FOR A GROWING STATE LIKE URS.

TED: PLEASE RESPOND TO THE IDEA THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS IN CHAOS?

>> EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE.

AND I WILL RESPOND TO BOTH OF THE CHARGES THAT WERE MADE.

WITH RESPECT TO CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

I HAVE GREATLY EXPANDED IT.

WE VERY A PROGRAM.

THE STUDENT STRIN PARTNERSHIP.

UNWHICH WE HAVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE 40 OF THE LARGEST COMPANIES IN ARIZONA.

AND IN WHICH I PROMISED THEM, WE'LL PROVIDE THE SKILL LABOR.

WE HAVE ACCESS TO 1,400,000 KIDS, BUT IN TURN, THEY NEED TO TELL THE CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS WHAT TO, WHAT TO GIVE THE STUDENTS SO THEY GET GOOD JOBS WITH THOSE COMPANIES.

NOW, AS FAR AS PHONICS GOES EVERY SCHOOL TEACHES PHONICS, IT HAS BEEN THE LAW SINCE 2008.

I AM THE INCUMBENT.

YOU GOT SOMEONE CHALLENGING WHO IS COMPLETELY IGNORANT ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE SCHOOLS.

I CHALLENGE HER TO FIND A SINGLE SCHOOL THAT IS NOT TEACHING PHONICS IN THE CLASSROOM.

TED: I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO BOGGED DOESN'T ON PHONICS HERE.

I AM GETTING TWO DIFFERENT STORIES.

I WANT TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS OF EDUCATION.

I TRAVELED SOMEWHERE IN THE STATE.

THE PERSON WHO IS RUNNING THE POSITION HAS NOT GOTTEN THE JOB DONE.

AND WE SEE THAT NOT ONLY IN OUR TEST RESULTS.

WE SEE THAT IN OUR GRADUATION RATES.

WE THEE WITH DECLINING ENROLLMENT AND PARENTS DESERVE BETTER.

AS A MOM, I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SO MANY FAMILIES HERE WHO ARE LEAVING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

REKHA WANT TO GO TO THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT WHICH IS OUT.

IT SAYS THE PROGRAM LACKS OVERSIGHT BIG TIME.

34% OF TRANSACTIONS WITH PRONES, MISUSE, OVERPAYMENT, UNALLOWABLE EXPENSES, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, 2.3 MILLION TRANSACTIONS WERE NOT EVEN REVIEWED ACCORDING TO THE EDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT BY THE DEPARTMENT.

THAT EQUATES LIKE $650 MILLION.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> WELL, LET'S, FIRST OF ALL, LET'S DO A COMPARISON.

THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS 68,000 OF POSSIBLE LOSSES.

IT SAYS THE TRESH SURE'S OFFICE HAS $64 MILLION.

$64 MILLION OF POSSIBLE LOSSES.

AS FAR AS, AS FAR AS CHECKING THINGS, OUR HARSHEST CRIT INS FROM CHANNEL 12.

YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH HIM.

TED: YES.

>> I GOT A VIDEO OF HIM.

HE HAS ADMITTED THAT THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS TRANSACTIONS IS LESS THAN 2% OF THE DOLLAR VALUE OF ESA.

REKHA WILL LET HIM SPEAK FOR HIMSELF REGARDING THAT.

BUT, THE GENERAL'S REPORT SAYS HALF MILLION HIGH RISK TRANSACTION THAT WERE NOT AT ALL REVIEWED UP TO $100 MILLION HERE.

AGAIN, THIS IS ENAT POSITIVE REPORT ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE ESA PROGRAM.

TED: RIGHT.

IT IS NOT A POSITIVE REPORT OF THE TREASURE EITHER.

MUCH WORSE FOR THE TREASURE.

LET ME SAY THIS.

THE ONLY LESS THAN 2%.

IT IS WELL-ESTABLISHED.

LESS THAN 2% OF THE DOLLAR VALUE ARE IN QUESTION TRANSACTION.

AND WHEN THERE IS -- AND LEGISLATURE TOLD US, USE RISK BASED AUDITING BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SAME STAFF THAT WAS ESTABLISHED FOR 11,000 AND WITH THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM UNDER ME, IT IS OVER 100,000 NOW, AND SO THEY TOLD US TO USE RISK BASED AUDITING THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING.

SO, SO SO WE REVIEWED THE HIGH RISK PEOPLE WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE LEGISLATURE TOLD US TO DO.

TED: ARE YOU BUYING THAT?

>> THIS AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT, NOT ONLY CONFIRMED MY ALLEGATION THAT IS COMPLETE CHAOS, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UB THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT.

IT SHOWED THIS WAS COMPLETE MISMANAGEMENT OF HOW THEY ADMIN FOR THE FUNDS BECAUSE WHAT IS HAPPENING IS, WHEN THE LEGISLATURE GIVES THE SUPERINTENDENT ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDING OF $10 MILLION TO WHEN THE EFFICIENCIES OF GETTING THOSE DOLLARS THE DOOR, THE 100,000 FAMILIES.

HE USED THAT FOR ADS THAT PROMOTED HIMSELF.

WITH THOSE TAXPAYER YEAR DOLLARS WHICH ARE ON ERROR.

WE SEE FROM THE EDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT.

WE NEED SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT AS I HAVE DONE WHEN I STARTED AS STATE TREASURE.

14.4 BILLION.

TODAY WE STAND AT $36 BILLION.

THAT IS MORE MONEY FOR THE TAXPAYERS.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED IN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SOMEONE WITH THAT FISCAL EYE TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY IS GOING EXACTLY WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

TED: AGAIN.

AS FAR AS WHAT TOM MENTIONED HE SAID THAT YOUR OFFICE AND YOUR DEPARTMENT IS EVEN IN WORSE SHAPE THAN HIS DEPARTMENT.

>> HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND NUMBERS.

WE CAN SEE THAT BASED ON THE POOR MANAGEMENT OF THE ESA PROGRAM.

AM A STRONG SUPPORTER.

IN FACT, I HELPED EXPAND THE ESA PROGRAM FOR LOW INCOME FAM I ALSO WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

HE WAYS CAUSING THE ESA PROGRAM TO GO DOWN IN MAKING SURE WE HAVE ESA DOLLARS FULLY ACCOUNTABLE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLATFORM TO MAKE SURE THAT IS IN PLACE.

I AM STATE STARTING THAT THROUGH THE STATE PRESSURE'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY IN FLIES MANAGE THE SYSTEM WELL.

>> CAN I RESPOND TO THAT?

>> YES.

IF YOU WILL GO TO THE WEBSITE, THE REAL KIM YE.COM.

YOU WILL SEE AN ARTICLE BY CAPITAL MEDIA WHERE THEY INTERVIEWED HER.

IT SAID THAT PARENTS WERE -- SOME PARENTS WERE UPSET WITH ME BECAUSE I WAS DENYING WHAT I CONSIDERED ILLEGITIMATE REQUESTS.

AND THAT I, THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE FOR DENYING A $5,000 ROLEX WATCH, $24,000 GOLF SIMULATOR.

OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY QUOTED KIM AS SAYING I DID NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO DENY THOSE BECAUSE THE PARENTS KNEW WHAT WAS BEST FOR THEIR KIDS.

SO IF KIM ARE SUPERINTENDENT.

>> THAT IS NOT TRUE.

>> SEE WHAT BE GRANTING ROLEX WATCHES.

>> THAT IS NOT TRUE.

IN FACT, THOSE ARE NOT EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.

THEY SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN PROVIDED FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

>> THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU SAID IN THE CAPITAL MEDIA ARTICLE.

>> THAT IS WHAT I AM SAYING.

I DO NOT BELIEVE ROLEX WATCHES SHOULD HAVE BEEN EDUCATIONAL EXPENSE UNDER THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

I DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY.

YOU HAVE HEARD OF FAKE NEWS?

TED: YEAH.

AGAIN, WELL HE LET THAT REPORTER SPEAK FOR SHELVES.

THE IDEA, THERE IS A NARRATIVE OUT THERE, THAT YOU ARE RUNNING.

YOU ARE RECRUITED IN SOME RESPECTS TO RUN.

BECAUSE THERE IS A THOUGHT, I MEAN, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HE IS DOING TOUCH AGAINST ESA'S.

>> THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM WHEN YOU HAVE AN EXECUTIVE WHO IS PART OF THE AGENCY, WHO IS TRYING TO MAKE THE LAWS THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE DOING.

THAT IS THE LAW.

THE LAW SAYS THAT THE ESA PLAN SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

SO ANYTHING UNDER THAT MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO BE PROVIDED BY THE LEGISLATURE AUTHORITY.

NOT THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

HE IS OVERSTEPPING THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE.

SO WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS THE, YOU KNOW, GIVEN OUT $2,000 IN PURCHASES WITHOUT ANY QUESTIONS.

THAT IS WHERE YOU SAW THE DIAMOND RINGS AND OTHER THINGS.

SO WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS OVERSTEPPING THE BOUNDARIES FOR WHICH HE IS CURRENTLY, YOU KNOW, GIVEN, THE LEGISLATURE HAS THAT ROLE.

NOT THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT T. THAT IS WHERE AM.

>> THAT IS WHAT MY OPPONENT SAID IN THAT ARTICLE.

THAT DY NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO LIMIT EXPENDITURES AND IT WAS SPECIFICALLY REFERENCED TO THE $5,000 ROLEX WATCHES SO IF SHE SAYS I DON'T HAVE BEEN THE AUTHORITY TO LIMIT THAT.

THEN SHE WOULD FEEL SHE DIDN'T.

SHE WOULD PAY FOR $5,000 ROLEX WATCHES.

TED: WOULD $5,000 ROLEX WATCHES AND TRIPS HERE, THERE, EVERYWHERE, WOULD YOU BE OK WITH?

>> THOSE ARE NONEDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.

JAZZ OK.

I HAVE THE AUTHORITY.

>> A SYSTEM THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR CHEFNITION OF THOSE ITEMS AS EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.

IT IS AS SIMPLE AS THAT.

>> YEAH YOU SAID I DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DENY THEM.

SO IT FOLLOWS FROM THAT, WOULD YOU HAVE PAID FOR $5,000 WATCHES.

TED: IF IT GETS TO YOU AS SUPERINTENDENT AND GOT PAST OTHER BARRIERS FOR WHATEVER REASON, WOULD YOU NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SAY NO?

>> THE CURRENT STATE SUPERINTENDENT DOES NOT HAVE A SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT AMONG THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

YOU CAN SEE THAT BY EVERY HEADLINE YOU READ.

AND THERE IS COMPLETE CHAOS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP WHICH IS WHY I AM RUNNING FOR THIS POSITION.

I CARE ABOUT ESA.

>> THAT IS FALSE.

>> I WAS PART OF -- >> YOU ARE FABRICATING.

>> PLEASE LET HER FINISH.

>> AS A FORM FORMER SPONSOR OF THE ESA PLAN FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN FOR THOSE IN FOSTER CIR AND THOSE IN MILITARY FAMILIES.

I SUPPORT THE ESA PROGRAM AND ITS FUTURE.

WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW HE HAS MISMANAGED THIS PROGRAM.

WE WILL NOT SEE AS FUTURE.

>> IF YOU SAY I DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DENY $5,000 ROLEX WATCHES, THEN IT MEANS THAT I WOULD FEEL THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DENY $5,000 RELEX WATCHES, AND THIS IS THE WAZE TO MAKE THE SYSTEM -- THE PROGRAM NOT SUCCEED BECAUSE IT WOULD COME INTO DISREPUTE.

UPPER ME, IT INCREASED FROM $40,000 TO OVER 100,000 BECAUSE I AM KEEPING IT HONEST.

UNDER MY OPPONENT, IT WOULD BE DISHONEST BECAUSE SHE SAID THERE IS NO AUTHORITY TO DENY ILLEGITIMATE PURCHASES.

TED: I WANT TO GO TO GUARDRAILS IN.

ARE GUARDRAILS NEEDED?

CHECK THAT.

A BETTER QUESTION HERE.

THIS AUDITOR'S GENERAL REPORT.

IF IT CAME IN ON OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, WHAT WOULD BE THE RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> OH, THE OTHERS HAVE HIGHER PEN CENTAGE, OF PROBLEMS THAN I DO.

THE EPEES 2% PROBLEM IS LESS THAN THEIRS.

BUT THE POINT IS, WHAT CAUSED MY OPPONENT TO RUN IS BECAUSE SENATOR JAKE HOFFMAN DIDN'T WANT ME LIMITING ANY PURCHASES AND THEN SHE WAS QUOTED IN THE CAPITAL MEDIA STORY SAYING DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHOR TOY TO LIMIT PURCHASE.

>> IF THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT CAME IN.

YOU WOULD BE FINE WITH THAT?

>> THEY DID.

THEY DID.

THEY DID.

AS THEY POINTED OUT.

TEN TIMES WORSE IN THE TREASURE'S OFFICE.

>> I HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF BEING, YOU KNOW, WATCHDOG FOR TAXPAYERS.

AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE ACCOUNTABLE, TRANSPARENCY AT EVERY LEVEL.

WE NEED THAT MORE THAN EVER.

NOT ONLY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE MANAGEMENT THERE CURRENTLY.

WE NEED IT AT THE LEVEL OF DISTRICTS AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THEY ALSO ARE MANAGING THEIR BUDGETS WELL.

>> LAST QUESTION.

WE GOT TO GET TOPICS.

THERE IS INITIATIVE OUT THERE THAT WOULD CAP ESA FAMILY INCOME AT $150,000 I BELIEVE.

THE GOVERNOR IS LOOKING AT $250,000.

EITHER OR, GOOD IDEAS WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I GO BACK TO THE STAM I MADE EARLIER.

IT IS LEGISLATURE'S JOB TO MONITOR WHAT IS HAPPENING ON ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND THOSE PROVISIONS WITHIN THE LAW.

>> DO YOU THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO PUT A CAP ON FAMILY INCOME FOR ESA'S?

>> WELL I BELIEVE WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT UNIVERSAL ESA'S.

IT MEANT EDUCATION FOR ALL.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.

>> OK.

MY OPPONENT SAID SHE IS A WATCHDOG FOR DOLLARS.

THE GOVERNOR OVERSPENT THE BUDGET $330 MILLION THAT SCREWED UP EVERYBODY ELSE'S BUDGET.

THE TREASURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AWARE OF IT.

AND SHOULD HAVE BLOWN THE WHISTLE SO LEGISLATURE COULD DO SOMETHING.

SHE WAS COMPLETELY SILENT.

>> THAT IS NOT TRUE.

TED: GIVE A RESPONSE.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE WEBSITE AZ TREASURE.

GOV IMMEDIATELY UPON UNDERSTANDING THERE WAS $300 NAL WAS LOST BY THE GOVERNOR IN THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP.

AM AD ON THE STATE LEGISLATURE THE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR WAS GIVE AND LETTER IMMEDIATELY BY THE OFFICE TO MAKE SURE IT WAS RAINED IN.

TED: WE NEVER GOT AN ANSWER.

>> I NEVER GOT YOU TO RESPOND TON THE IDEA OF THE FAMILY INCOME CAP ON ESA'S.

$150,000.

$250,000.

ANYTHING INTO WELL, THE FIRST PROPOSAL WAS $250.

AND THEN, THE NEXT ONE WAS $150.

I SAID THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH CAPS.

THEY KEEP LOWERING THEM.

SO PEOPLE THINK, WELL, IT IS OK.

I DON'T MAKE THAT MUCH.

THEY END UP GETTING CAUGHT AS THEY KEEP LOWERING.

TED: NO CAP FOR YOU THEN.

>> YES.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY, THAT I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINSTDEI.

TED: YEAH.

IF WE HAVE TIME, WE'LL GET TO THAT.

RIGHT NOW I WANT TO GET TO EDUCATION.

IT IS ARIZONA SPENDING ENOUGH ON EDUCATION?

>> NO.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I SAY THAT EVERY, EVERY YEAR I GIVE A STATE OF EDUCATION SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATURE.

I TELL THEM THEY NEED TO RAISE TEACHER SALARIES.

WE CAN DO IT WITHOUT AFFECTING TAXES BECAUSE THERE IS PLENTY OF MONEY IN THE LAND TRUST.

TED: WE ARE SPENDING ENOUGH OF?

>> I AM A STRONG SUPPORTER OF MORE MONEY IN THE CLASSROOMS.

DIRECTED DIRECTLY TO THOSE STUDENTS AND TO THOSE TEACHERS FOR HIGHER TEACHER SALARIES.

LESS MONEY AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL WHERE YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY REALLY NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE BILLS THAT DO REQUIRE WHERE YOU PUT A CAP ON ADMINISTRATIVE SPENDING.

I AM ALSOS A SUPPORTER OF THAT PROPOSITION 123 FUNDS ARE DIRECTED TO THOSE KEY ELEMENTS OF SCHOOL FUNDING.

BECAUSE IF WE DON'T, WE WILL HAVE SCHOOLS CONTINUING TO HAVE FUTURES GOING OUT TO BUY THEIR SUPPLIES AT GARAGE SEALS.

THAT IS NOT RIGHT.

I AM A DAUGHTER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHER.

HE AM A STRONG SUPPORTER OF TEACHERS.

OF COURSE, THE STUDENTS WHO ARE IN THOSE CLASSROOMS.

TED: OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT IN THE LEGISLATURE SO YOU CAN ADVOCATE FOR A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS.

WOULD YOU ADVOCATE AGAIN FOR MORE SPENDING ON EDUCATION?

REGARDING ADMINISTRATION CLAUSE, WE HAD A CONVERSATIONS WITH A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

ONE OF THEM SAID ADMINISTRATOR COSTS ON AVERAGE 10% OF EDUCATION FUNDS GO TO ADMINISTRATION COSTS.

WITH WELL, WE HAVE A SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO IS MAKING NEARLY HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN HIS SALARY AND BONUSES, SO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEES CAREFULLY.

>> OK.

EX SEX OR RULE THERE?

>> WELL, OF COURSE, THAT IS A CERTAIN SITUATION, BUT IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP HEAVY NATURE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, DOWN THE CLASSROOM SPENDING, THERE IS REAL IMBALANCE.

I SERVED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

WE WERE 2.5% ON BUDGET ON THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION.

I TRIED TO GET IT IN THE LEGISLATURE AT 5%.

I COULDN'T GET IT PAST BECAUSE OF DISTRICTS UP TO THE ELECTED SCHOOL BOARDS SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE POWERS ARE.

I CANNOT CONTROL THE SALARIES OF SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE SCHOOL BOARDS.

DOW WANT TO GET THIS IN.

YOU CAN MAKE A LOT OF NOISE ON THE VARIETY OF ISSUES.

ARE YOU MAKING ENOUGH SAYS NO I HAVE.

YES.

I HAVE.

I PUBLISHED AND SEND OUT IN A PRESS RELEASE A STUDY WITH WE DID THAT SCHOOLS SPENT MOREEN IN NY ON TEACHER SALARIES AND LESS ON ADMINISTRATION AND DID BETTER ACADEMICALLY.

TED: DO YOU AGREE THAT?

>> OBVIOUSLY, 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION POLICY IN THE K-12 SPACE STARTING FROM THE 19 90'S WHEN I WAS HELPING DRAFT LAWS FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS IN ARIZONA AND SCHOOL OF CHOICE THE TUITION AND LATER WITH THEY EESA'S MAKING SURE FAMILIES ARE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE CHOICE FOR THEIR CHILD'S BEST UNIQUE NEEDS.

YOU REFER TO TEACHERS.

WE HAVE PERSISTENT TEACHER SHORTAGE IN ARIZONA.

1,000 RESIGNED FROM JULY TO NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR ALONE.

WHY IS THAT HAPPENING.

>> WELL, WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS TEACHER RECEPTION RETENTION.

MANY OF THE TEACHERS ARE LEAVING AFTER THE THIRD YEAR IN THOSE CLASSROOMS WE HAVE NOT ADDRESSED IT UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.

MY VISION FOR THIS ISSUE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WE HAVE MENTOR TEACHERS WHO ARE READY AND IN FLIES HELP THOSE YOUNGER TEACHERS AS THEY NAVIGATE THE FIRST FEW IMPORTANT YEARS IN THOSE CLAM CLASSROOMS.

TED: YOU HAVE ADDRESSES?

SORRY.

>> YOU SAY YOU HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THIS TEACHER RETENTION ISSUE?

>> BOY, DID I EVER.

I DID IT VERY STRONGLY EVERY TIME I JEFF A SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATURE.

I SAY YOU MUST RAISE SALARIES TO RETAIN TEACHERS TO ATTRACT TEACHERS BECAUSE WITH RIGHT NOW, WE ARE LOSING MORE THAN COMING INTO THE PROFESSION.

I MADE A BIG ISSUE OF THAT.

WE CAN DO THESE THINGS WITHOUT ANY EFFECT ON TAXES BECAUSE OF THE LAND TRUST.

I WANT TO GET IN SOMETHING BEFORE THE TIME IS OFF.

VO WELL, I WANT TO GO BACK TO TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM.

THEY SAY THEY ARE BEING OVERWORKED.

THEY ARE DOING THINGS THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE DOING.

THEY SAY THEY ARE BEING VILIFIED AND SOME MENTION YOU.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> I HAVE NOT VILL LIED TEACHERS AT ALL.

I HAVE VILIFIED ADMINISTRATORS LIKE THE ONE MY OPPONENT MENTIONED BUT I HAVE NOT VILIFIED TEACHERS ON THE CONTRARY, I HAVE ADVOCATE FOR MORE SALARIES FOR THEM.

AND FOR A BILL THAT WOULD, THAT WOULD GIVE INCENTIVES TO ADMINISTRATORS TO SUPPORT THEM ON DISCIPLINE BECAUSE SOME ADMINISTRATORS ARE TOO LENIENT AND THE TEACHERS LEAVE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT TAKE THE CHAOS IN THE CLASSROOM.

TED: DO TEACHERS GET ENOUGH SUPPORT HERE?

THEY TELL ME, AND TELL OTHERS, NO.

>> RIGHT.

I VISIT CLASSROOMS ALL THE TIME AS THE STATE TREASURE OF ARIZONA I TALK ABOUT FINANCIAL LITERACY IN SCHOOLS I TALK TO THE TEACHERS EYE TO EYE.

THEY ARE NOT HAPPY.

MANY TEACHERS WHO HAVE BIN THE CLASSROOM OVER 2 YEARS ARE BEING ASKED TO GET RETRAINED ON READING THEM THEY ARE PEG,S IN THE AREAS AND THERE IS REGULATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT MAKE THEM PAYOUT OF POCK DOTE GO TO GET READING INSTRUCTION ONCE AGAIN.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON TEACHERS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE KNOT SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY BUT GIVE THEM THE TOOLS, CURRICULUM, ALL THEY NEED FOR THE CLASSROOM.

>> I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR AFTER THES WITH THE LEM SLAY TURE EVERY YEAR.

MY OPPONENT HAS NOT DONE THAT.

TED: GET IT IN.

GO AHEAD.

>> I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST DEI.

VIEWERS WILL GO ON THE REAL KIM YE.COM.

THEY WILL SEE DOM DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE SHE SERVED ON COMMITTEE THAT WAS PRO DEI WITH THE TREASURE'S NATIONAL ASOCIAL.

TED: PLEASE RESPOND.

I SENT A LETTER TO THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT.

A CEASE AND DESIST LETTER BECAUSE IT IS A LIE.

IT FOLLOWS THE FACT THAT NOT ONLY DID NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE TREASURES WRITE A LETTER WHICH HE HAS BEEN GIVEN THAT STATES ALL OF THE COMMITTEES FOR WHICH I HAVE SERVED IN MY TIME AS STATE TREASURE THE DE IS COMMITTEE IS NOT ON THIS LIST SO HE IS NOT ONLY LYING BUT A LONG RECORD OF LYING FROM THE TIME HE HAD WHERE HE HAD NUMEROUS RENDEZVOUSES ON THE LUNCH HOUR WHERE THE FBI NOT ONLY.

>> SHAME ON YOU.

LISTEN.

LISTEN.

YOU CRASHED A CAR AND FLED.

>> THE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IS ON THE WEBSITE.

THEY CAN SEE THE DOCUMENTARY PROOF SHE SERVED ON THE D OWE I COMMITTEE.

>> HE HAD A RECORD OF USING TAXPAYER RESOURCES IN THE AG'S OFFICES TO ADVANCE THE CAMPAIGN FINANCES.

>> THAT IS TOTALLY UNTRUE.

THAT IS TOTALLY UNTRUE.

ALL YOU KNOW HOW TO DO IS MAKE PERSONAL ATTACKS.

YOU DON'T HAVE BEEN THE INTELLECT.

TED: OK.

A COMPLETE LIAN YOU WHAT SAYS NOT.

WHAT IS DONG HERE?

>> YOU LOOK TOT THE DOCUMENTARY PROOF TO DETERMINE WHAT THE LAW IS.

>> A SCREEN SHOT IS NOT THE TRUTH.

>> DOCUMENTARY PROOF.

IT IS A DOCUMENT.

>> THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE PRESSURE HAS A LETTER.

>> YOUR READERS CAN LOOK YOB LINE.

TED: ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT.

U CAN SEE THE PROOF.

I WILL SHARE THE CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT HAD SIX SPEEDING TICKETS IN ONE AND A HALF YEARS.

SOME OF WHICH WERE IN SCHOOL ZONES.

THAT IS SOMETHING LIKE 20 YEARS AGO.

SO 20 YEARS AGO DOESN'T MATTER.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE INTELLECT TO DEAL WITH EDUCATION ISSUES.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS THE PERSONAL ATTACKS.

TED: HOLD ON.

HOLD ON.

>> MANY SCANDALS HAVE BEEN MADE BY YOU.

TED: WE GOT TO STOP IT THERE BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I AM OUT OF POPCORN I GUESS.

THANK YOU BOTH.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

WE THANK OUR CANDIDATES.

WE HAVE ALLOTTED TIME FOR ONE MINUTE CLOSING STATEMENTS AND GOING IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

TOM HORN.

>> OK.

AS I MENTIONED, I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST -- I AM THE ONLY OFFICIAL IN STATEWIDE OFFICE,WHO HAS BEEN FEEL ITING FOR THE NORMAL AGANGS THE LEFT WING CRAZY.

I HAVE BEEN -- FOR EXAMPLE.

I AM IN THE COURTS FIGHTING TO KEEP BOYS OUT OF GIRLS SUPPORTS.

I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING VERY HARDEN THE CLASSROOMS AGAINES CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND DEI.

AND YOUR LISTENERS OR VIEWERS CAN GO ON THE WEB SITE THAT I MENTIONED THE REAL KIM YE.COM AND WILL SEE DOCUMENTARY PROOF THAT SHE WAS ON THE DEI COMMITTEE OF THE OF THE NATIONAL TREASURE'S ASSOCIATION.

AS WELL AS, AS WELL ADDS THE OTHER ISSUE, WHICH IS THE FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND THE EDCATION ISSUES THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH.

ONLY RESORT TO PERSONAL ATTACKS.

WOOL THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NOW CLOSING STATEMENT FROM KIMBERLY.

>> FOR 30 YEARS I HAVE BEEN FIGHT FOR ARIZONA STUDENT Z AS THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, I EXPAND ESA'S FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND INCREASED ACADEMIC STANDARDS.

AS STATE PRESSURE, I EARNED AND DISTRIBUTED OVER 3.2 BILLION FOR ARIZONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND 32 BILLION IN TAXPAYER FUNDS MANAGED WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY.

AND THAT IS WHY.

FOUR FORMER REPUBLICAN STATE SUPER TIN DEBTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION WHO HAVE HELD THIS POSITION HAVE ENDORSED ME.

IN BUSINESS, IF YOU HIRE SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T MEET PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, YOU FIRE THEM.

AND THAT IS WHAT THIS PRIMARY IS ABOUT.

TOM HORN HAS HAD HIS TIME.

NOW, IT IS TIME FOR RESULTS.

I AM KIMBERLYEE SHALL I HOPE TO EARN YOUR VOTE.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU BOTH.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

FAD CONVERSATION.

GOT A LITTLE SPICY THERE.

GOOD CONVERSATION.

GOOD HAVE YOU HERE.

THANKS AGAIN HER TO CANDIDATES THING.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

OUR NEXT ARIZONA HORIZON WILL BE TOMORROW MAY 14th AS WE HEAR FROM THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE.

THAT IS TOMORROW MAY 4th 5:00!

AND 10:00 P.M.

ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

A REMINDSER THAT ALL EPISODES ARE LIVE STREAMED ON YOUTUBE AT AZPBS NOW AND VIEWED AS WELL AS AZPBS.

ORG.

THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I AM TED SIMONS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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