Leyba Ruiz, Yee disagree on how to fund public schools, Arizona’s school voucher program
Sept. 21
The two candidates vying to be elected as the state’s superintendent of public instruction made their cases to voters during Arizona PBS’ “Candidates in Conversation” series, which is moderated by Ted Simons.
Simons opened up the discussion by asking both candidates if Arizona was spending enough on education.
Republican Kimberly Yee and Democrat Teresa Leyba Ruiz both agreed that public schools need more investment and funding, but took different stances on how that funding should be used.
At times, the discussion between the candidates became contentious and combative.
Simons followed up by asking the candidates on whether additional funding should go specifically toward teachers.
In response, Yee said any funding should go directly to teacher salaries, while Leyba Ruiz said in order for students to be successful it was vital to fund every area of public education.
“That means our educators, our support staff, our administrators, our school facilities, because I have seen facilities that are crumbling all around Arizona, because Arizona is last in the nation,” Leyba Ruiz argued.
But, Yee argued that teachers needed to be prioritized.
“The classrooms and the infrastructure, all of that is very very important. But we have to put a focus on teacher pay,” Yee said. “And the reason for that is because we are at the bottom when it comes to continued development for teachers as well as retention,” she said.
The exchange became fiery when Simons asked the candidates why the state always ranks poorly when it comes to education.
Leyba Ruiz pointed out that the Republican party is responsible for consistently underfunding the state’s public education system.
“Our teachers are not well funded. Our schools are not well funded and it’s because of the party in power for 50 years has not prioritized public education,” Leyba Ruiz said.
Yee responded that the right leaders who care about education needed to be elected into office.
Earlier this year, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled that Arizona was unconstitutionally underfunding public schools. Public school districts came together to sue the state due to lack of funding for basic needs, such as repairing broken air conditioning units and updating run down school buildings.
Additionally, a judge gave state lawmakers eight months to address the issue and properly fund school districts.
Republican legislators appealed both of the decisions.
Yee and Leyba Ruiz relied on their shared experiences as to why they were the best candidate to fix education issues across Arizona.
Yee said her mother was a public school teacher for almost 40 years and had 30 years of experience in public policy as the state treasurer, former senator and state representative.
Leyba Ruiz said her 35 years of experience as an educator and being the former president of Glendale Community College sets her apart because she actually sat in the classroom as a teacher and knows the challenges that come with being in the field.
Where do Yee and Leyba Ruiz stand with ESAs?
Empowerment Scholarship Accounts also known as ESAs allows families who don’t send their children to public schools to use taxpayer funds to cover the cost of private and home schools, regardless of their income.
The program has become controversial with widespread reports finding massive misspending with items such as lingerie, i-phones and diamond rings being purchased through the ESA program.
Simons asked the candidates their thoughts on whether the ESA program needed more transparency and accountability, while questioning whether there should be income limits for participants.
The superintendent candidates clashed as they each stood their ground regarding the ESA program.
Yee agreed the ESA program needed more oversight, but opposed placing income limits on who could participate in the program.
“When Governor Doug Ducey and the legislature in 2022 made ESAs universal, they wanted to ensure that every child has an opportunity to go to the school of their choice because parents know best,” Yee said.
Leyba Ruiz said she wanted to see income caps placed on the program and “common sense guardrails,” including requiring background checks for staff and standardized testing to ensure students are learning.
Currently, private and home schools don’t require staff to complete background checks or take standardized tests, unlike public schools.
Leyba Ruiz did not back down as she insisted taxpayers should not foot the bill when it comes to affluent families.
“In a time when Arizonans are having a real difficult time putting food on the table and gas in their cars… everyday Arizonans should not have to pay for a millionaire’s educational decision, “ Leyba Ruiz said.
In 2022, Republican legislators expanded the program for all families, even though Arizonans previously voted against opening the program to everyone. ESAs were originally meant for students with disabilities, military families and students living in poor performing school districts.
The ESA program has more than 100,000 students enrolled and is estimated to cost the state more than a billion dollars, while Arizona’s public school system consistently ranks at the bottom in the nation.
If Yee or Leyba Ruiz win the state superintendent role this November, they would be in charge of managing the ESA program, along with overseeing the Arizona Department of Education.
Reporting by “Arizona Horizon” Education Solutions Reporter Roxanne De La Rosa. Her role is made possible through grant funding from the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund and Report for America.
