>>> WELCOME TO THE IDAHO DEBATE:
A LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES ON THE
GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT FOR
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION.
THE IDAHO DEBATES ARE A
COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG THE
IDAHO PRESS CLUB, BOISE STATE
UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF PUBLIC
SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO'S
MCCLURE CENTER, IDAHO STATE
UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF
POLITICAL SCIENCE, THE LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS' VOTER EDUCATION
FUND, AND IDAHO PUBLIC
TELEVISION.
FUNDING FOR THE IDAHO DEBATES IS
PROVIDED BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION AND THE IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION ENDOWMENT...
>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE
IDAHO DEBATES ON IDAHO PUBLIC
TELEVISION.
TONIGHT THE CANDIDATES VYING TO
BE YOUR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION TAKE THE STAGE TO
ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.
I WANT TO WELCOME THE
CANDIDATES: DEMOCRATIC
CHALLENGER CINDY WILSON, AND
CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT SHERRI
YBARRA, WHO WILL INTRODUCE
THEMSELVES IN JUST A MINUTE.
ASKING THEM QUESTIONS TONIGHT
WILL BE REPORTERS SELECTED BY
THE IDAHO PRESS CLUB: BETSY
RUSSELL OF THE IDAHO PRESS AND
KEVIN RICHERT AND CLARK CORBIN
OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS.
I'M MELISSA DAVLIN, HOST OF
IDAHO REPORTS HERE ON IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION.
I'M MODERATING TONIGHT'S DEBATE
AND WILL DO MY BEST TO MAKE SURE
ALL THE CANDIDATES GET EQUAL
TIME AND STAY ON POINT.
TO HELP ME AND TO REMIND THE
CANDIDATES HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN
TALKING IS A VOLUNTEER
TIMEKEEPER FROM THE LEAGUE OF
WOMENVOTERS, ELEANOR.
WE'VE ASKED THE CANDIDATES TO
ENGAGE EACH OTHER ON THE ISSUES
- IN OTHER WORDS, LESS EMPHASIS
ON A RIGID FORMAT AND MORE FOCUS
ON AN INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION
THAT HELPS YOU THE VOTER CAST A
MORE INFORMED BALLOT.
EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE GIVEN 90
SECONDS FOR OPENING COMMENTS AND
90 SECONDS FOR CLOSE.
WE FLIPPED A FEW MOMENTS AGO,
AND MS. WILSON WILL BEGIN WITH
HER OPENING REMARKS.
>> HI, I'M CINDY WILSON.
FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS, I'VE BEEN
SHOWING UP FOR KIDS.
I WAS RAISED ON MY FAMILY
HOMESTEAD IN SOUTHEAST IDAHO,
AND I'VE TAUGHT IN THE LOGGING
COMMUNITIES OF THE NORTH OF THIS
STATE AND IN THE POTATO GROWING
COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTHEAST.
FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS, I'VE BEEN
TEACHING IN THE TWO LARGEST
DISTRICTS IN IDAHO.
I'M HERE TO TELL YOU ONE THING.
OUR KIDS' EDUCATION SHOULD NOT
BE DETERMINED BY THEIR ZIP CODE
IN WHICH THEY'RE BORN.
EVERY CHILD IN IDAHO DESERVES
THE HIGHEST QUALITY EDUCATION
I'M THRILLED TO BE HERE TONIGHT
AND TO SHOW THE PUBLIC THE
CHOICE BETWEEN THE TWO
CANDIDATES.
THANK YOU, MS. IBARRA, FOR BEING
HERE.
I'VE BEEN DOING THESE DEBATES
FOR A FEW MONTHS.
FOUR THIS WEEK BY MYSELF, SO I'M
TONIGHT BECAUSE IDAHO KIDS THIS
-
DESERVE A STRONG FUTURE AND A
STRONG DIALOGUE AND A VISION
ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.
MY VISION IS ONE OF
COLLABORATION, WHICH BRINGS IN
TOP QUALITY EDUCATORS AND
EXPERTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE.
IN THE SERVICE, OUR MOST
PRECIOUS RESOURCE IS OUR
CHILDREN.
THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN
LEADERSHIP HERE.
I DO TRUST THAT MS. IBARRA IS
DOING THE BEST SHE CAN, BUT WHEN
IT COMES TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF
OUR PARENTS, CHILDREN, AND
TEACHERS, SHE DOESN'T SEEM UP TO
THE TASK.
TONIGHT, YOU ARE DOING WHAT I'VE
BEEN TEACHING MY STUDENTS TO DO
FOR DECADES -- PARTICIPATE IN
THE DEMOCRACY, BECOME INFORMED,
AND SHOW UP.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA, YOU'RE
OPENING REMARKS, PLEASE.
>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M STATE SUPERINTENDENT SHERRI
IBARRA.
I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FOR
HOSTING THIS DEBATE AS WELL AS
IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION.
I'M T
MY WILIFE'S WORK AS A TEACHER,
PRINCIPAL, AND YOUR
SUPERINTENDENT IS ENSURING OUR
STUDENTS GET THE QUALITY
EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.
THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN SOME
GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
IT HAPPENS RIGHT HERE IN OUR
LOCAL CLASSROOMS WITH GREAT
EDUCATORS.
IT IS TIME FOR MY FOUR-YEAR
EVALUATION.
UNDER MY LEADERSHIP, WE'VE
BROUGHT THE IMPROVEMENT PLAN TO
LIFE, AND WE'RE GETTING RESULTS.
EVERYTHING IN EDUCATION IN IDAHO
IS UP.
FOR EXAMPLE, IDAHO STUDENTS'
MATH AND READING SKILLS ARE
IMPROVING.
OUR GRADUATION RATES ARE UP.
EDUCATOR PAY IS IMPROVING, AND
THOUSANDS OF OUR STUDENTS ARE
GETTING A JUMP START TO COLLEGE
BY EARNING CREDITS WHILE STILL
IN HIGH SCHOOL.
BUT IT'S ESSENTIAL THIS THIS
POSITIVE MOMENTUM CONTINUE UNDER
THE DIRECTION OF AN EXPERIENCED
ADVOCATE FOR KIDS, AND I'VE
PROVEN MYSELF AS AN EFFECTIVE
LEADER.
I'M STATE SUPERINTENDENT SHERRI
IBARRA, AND I WOULD BE HONORED
TO REPRESENT IDAHOANS ONCE AGAIN
AS IDAHO SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE FIRST QUESTION IS FROM CLARK
CORBIN FOR SUPERINTENDENT
IBARRA.
>> SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA, A WEEK
AGO, YOU INVITED TEACHERS AND
YOUR SUPPORTERS TO ATTEND A
CAMPAIGN EVENT THAT WAS HOSTED
BY A FORMER EDUCATOR WHOSE
TEACHING CERTIFICATE WAS
SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY BY THE
STATE OF IDAHO AMID MULTIPLE
SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO PARTNER
WITH THIS MAN FOR THIS EVENT?
>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO
REMEMBER THIS IS NOT ABOUT
PEOPLE OR DRAGGING ANYBODY
THROUGH THE MUD.
I DO NOT CONDONE ANY SORT OF
THOSE BEHAVIORS.
LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT RIGHT
NOW.
BUT WHEN I WAS MADE AWARE OF
THAT, I WAS NOT A DISTRICT
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR.
THAT WAS MY SUPERIOR.
AND SO, AGAIN, I DON'T THINK I
WAS PRIVY TO THOSE PERSONNEL
RECORDS.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT
I THINK THE VOTERS OF IDAHO
TONIGHT ARE NOT HERE TO TALK
ABOUT CAMPAIGN EVENTS OR DREDGE
UP THINGS FROM SEVEN YEARS AGO,
BUT WHAT WE ARE HERE TO TALK
ABOUT IS EDUCATION AND WHAT'S
IMPORTANT TO THE VOTERS IS
KNOWING WHAT IS GOING ON IN
EDUCATION, SUCH AS SAFETY, SUCH
AS EDUCATOR PAY, SUCH AS WHERE
ARE WE GOING FOR THE FUTURE FOR
OUR KIDS AND ALL THE GREAT
SUCCESSES THAT WE'VE HAD UNDER
MY LEADERSHIP UNDER THE LAST
FOUR YEARS.
WE'VE GOT NEARLY $100 MILLION
FOR EDUCATION SINCE I TOOK
OFFICE.
THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT THINGS
HAPPENING.
THERE'S A LOT OF POSITIVE
MOMENTUM.
I BELIEVE THE VOTERS OF IDAHO
WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THOSE THINGS.
>> BUT WHAT MESSAGE,
SUPERINTENDENT, DOES THAT SEND
THAT THE TOP EDUCATOR IN THE
STATE IS STANDING WITH THIS MAN
DURING A CAMPAIGN EVENT?
>> AGAIN, I THINK THAT THE
VOTERS OF IDAHO DON'T THINK THAT
WE WANT TO DRAG ANYBODY THROUGH
THE MUD FOR POLITICAL POINTS.
WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S
GOING ON IN IDAHO'S EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEM.
CAMPAIGN EVENTS ARE HELD IN
MULTIPLE VENUES ACROSS THE
STATE, BUT VOTERS WANT TO HEAR
ABOUT EDUCATION.
THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT
CAMPAIGN EVENTS, AND THEY DON'T
WANT TO SEE A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD
INCIDENT DRUG UP IN FRONT OF THE
PEOPLE.
>> AS FAR AS A MORE RECENT
INCIDENT, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST
TIME YOU'VE HAD A MAN ACCUSED OF
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN YOUR ORBIT.
THIS SUMMER YOU HIRED FOR ONE OF
THE TOP POSITIONS AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION A MAN
NAMED DAVE GOICOECHEA WHO WAS
LET GO AFTER BEING INVESTIGATED
BY THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S
OFFICE AND DISMISSED.
YOU HIRED HIM TO A PROMINENT
POSITION TO YOUR OFFICE.
DID YOU NOT DO YOUR DUE
DILIGENCE WHEN YOU HIRED THIS
INDIVIDUAL OR WERE YOU AWARE OF
THE ALLEGATIONS?
>> WHEN I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE
ALLEGATIONS, THAT WAS HANDLED
SWIFTLY AND PROMPTLY.
AGAIN, I DON'T THINK WE'RE HERE
TO DRAG PEOPLE THROUGH THE MUD.
I THINK WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT
EDUCATION.
I CAN'T CONDONE EVERY INCIDENT,
BUT I CAN TALK ABOUT THE PUBLIC
POLICIES THAT MY DEPARTMENT HAS
PUT INTO PLACE TO DEAL WITH
THOSE SORT OF INSTANCES.
WE ARE STRONG SUPPORTERS OF THE
LAW AS WELL AS PROTECTING THE
MOST VULNERABLE, SUCH AS OUR
CHILDREN.
WE HAVE PUT POLICIES INTO PLACE
AGAINST HARASSMENT, AGAINST
BULLYING, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO
DO THAT.
THE VOTERS OF IDAHO WANT TO HEAR
ABOUT EDUCATION.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT.
MY NEXT QUESTION IS FOR MS.
WILSON.
MS. WILSON, YOU'VE HAD AN
AWARD-WINNING CAREER AS AN
EDUCATOR FOR 33 YEARS IN THE
CLASSROOM, BUT YOU HAVEN'T
SERVED AS A PRINCIPAL OR
SUPERINTENDENT OR HAD TO MAKE
HIRING DECISIONS WITHIN THE
EDUCATION REALM.
HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT LEADING
THE 135-PERSON DEPARTMENT AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION?
>> I'M EXCITED TO ANSWER THAT,
BUT MAY I ASK A FOLLOW-UP ON
THAT LAST QUESTION?
>> HOW ABOUT YOU ANSWER CLARK'S
QUESTION FIRST?
>> I WOULD LOVE TO.
THANK YOU.
I'M GLAD YOU'RE ASKING THIS
QUESTIONS BECAUSE I WANT TO TAUT
MYEXPERIENCE IN LEADERSHIP.
I'VE BEEN TRAVELING TO THE STATE
DEPARTMENT TO DO ASSESSMENTS,
END OF COURSE TESTING, THAT TYPE
OF THING ALL MY CAREER, BUT MY
LEADERSHIP COMES FROM MULTIPLE
DIRECTIONS.
MOST RECENTLY, I WAS APPOINTED
TO THE BOARD OF CORRECTION.
I SIT ON A THREE-MEMBER BOARD.
WE OVERSEE NINE PRISONS IN
IDAHO, FOUR RE-ENTRY CENTERS,
AND 2,000 EMPLOYEES.
WE RECENTLY HIRED A NEW DIRECTOR
ABOUT TEN MONTHS AGO TO SERVE AS
THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS ON OUR TEAM.
I AM THE ONLY DEMOCRAT ON A
THREE-MEMBER BOARD OF
CORRECTION, AND MY TWO FELLOW
BOARD MEMBERS ARE SUPPORTING ME
IN THIS RACE BECAUSE THEY
UNDERSTAND THE LEADERSHIP.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, I'VE BEEN
SERVING AS A LEAD TEACHER IN MY
SCHOOL TEACHING OTHER TEACHERS
WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN A
CLASSROOM TO SEE STUDENT
ACHIEVEMENT RISE.
I'VE ALSO BEEN SERVING IN MANY
OTHER CAPACITIES, PARTICULARLY
WITH YOUNG WOMEN.
I ORGANIZED FOR FOUR YEARS OVER
400 YOUNG WOMEN AND 30 ADULTS TO
GO TO GIRLS' CAMPS, TO BRING
TOGETHER PEOPLE, TO BRING
ACTIVITIES FOR THEM.
AND I'VE ALSO BEEN OVERSEEING IN
A WOMEN'S GROUP OVER 100 WOMEN
AND BRINGING THE BEST BILL
AROUND ME TO HELP LEAD THEM.
>> THANK YOU, MS. WILSON.
YOU MENTIONED SOME HIRING
EXPERIENCE WITH THE BOARD OF
CORRECTIONS, BUT WHAT APPROACH
WOULD YOU TAKE TO HOLDING THE
STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
STAFF ACCOUNTABLE AND WHAT
DECISIONS WOULD YOU MAKE IN THE
EVENT YOU HAD TO TERMINATE AN
EMPLOYEE?
>> THIS IS VERY SAD TO SAY, BUT
I RECENTLY HAD TO TERMINATE AN
EMPLOYEE.
IT'S HARD, BUT I'D LIKE TO PUT
IT IN THE CONTEXT OF BEING A
TEACHER.
I DON'T FAIL STUDENTS.
STUDENTS FAIL THEMSELVES.
ALTHOUGH I HATE FOR THEM TO
RECEIVE AN F IN MY CLASS, THERE
ARE TIMES WHEN YOU HAVE TO GIVE
THEM THE GRADE THAT THEY'VE
EARNED.
THE KEY TO THAT IS HAVING AN
APPROPRIATE RUBRIC AND JOB
EXPECTATIONS THAT ARE EASILY
UNDERSTOOD AND THEN FOLLOWING
THAT RUBRIC.
IT'S EASY.
IT'S NOT A SUBJECTIVE DECISION
THEN.
THEN IT JUST BECOMES LOOKING AT
THE UBRIC, DID THEY DO THE JOB
OR NOT, AND MAKE THAT DECISION.
>> MS. WILSON, YOU WANTED TO
ADDRESS WHAT SUPERINTENDENT
IBARRA SAID.
>> SURE.
DID I HEAR YOU SAY YOU DID NOT
KNOW THE MAN WHO HOSTED YOUR
PARTY WHO WAS A PRINCIPAL IN THE
BUILDING WHERE YOU TAUGHT HAD
LOST HIS ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE
FOR SEXUALLY HARASSING HIS
TEACHERS?
>> I WAS AWARE THAT THERE WAS --
HE HAD VIOLATED DISTRICT POLICY,
BUT AGAIN I DON'T THINK WE'RE
HERE TO TALK ABOUT PEOPLE.
WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT
EDUCATION PRIORITIES.
>> BUT IF I CAN COMMENT ON MY
OWN CAMPAIGN, EVERY CAMPAIGN
EVENT WE HOLD CHILDREN ARE
INVITED.
WE BRING KIDS INTO EVERYTHING WE
DO BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THIS JOB
IS ABOUT.
I'M IN THE PRISONS ALL THE TIME,
BUT I WOULD NEVER HOST A
CAMPAIGN EVENT THERE.
>> OTHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
HAVE HELD FUNDRAISERS IN BARS,
SO WHY IS THIS FUNDAMENTALLY ANY
DIFFERENT WHEN IT IS FOCUSED ON
THE CAMPAIGN AND RAISING MONEY?
>> I'VE RAISED A LOT OF MONEY IN
THIS CAMPAIGN, AND I'VE NEVER
HOSTED PARTICULARLY IN THAT
SETTING.
BUT EVEN IN THAT SETTING WITH
SOMEONE WHO I KNEW HAD THAT KIND
OF A RECORD, OUR JOB IS TO BE
THE CHIEF OF SCHOOLS, TO BE A
ROLE MODEL FOR CHILDREN.
I'VE TRIED TO LIVE MY ENTIRE
LIFE AS SOMEONE THAT KIDS COULD
LOOK UP TO.
I'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR OVER 30
YEARS.
I HAVE SOME OF MY STUDENTS WHO
ARE HERE WITH US TONIGHT.
I WOULD HOPE SOMEONE WOULD ASK
THEM WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE DOES
SHE SET AND WHAT IS THE ROLE
MODEL THAT SHE MAKES.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
BETSY RUSSELL.
>> SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA, WE
TALKED ABOUT MANAGING THE OFFICE
OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AND IN DOING SO YOU
HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME TURNOVER
THERE IN SOME OF YOUR TOP
POSITIONS IN RECENT MONTHS,
INCLUDING YOUR CHIEF DEPUTY
SUPERINTENDENT, ACADEMIC
DIRECTORS, AND YOUR CHIEF POLICY
ADVISOR.
ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE TEAM
THAT'S IN PLACE NOW OR WOULD YOU
CHANGE ANY OF YOUR HIRING AND
LEADERSHIP DECISIONS THERE S?L
>> I HAD A VERY STRONG TEAM IN
PLACE PROVEN BY MY TRACK RECORD
OF SUCCESS.
EVERYTHING IS ON THE RISE LIKE I
STATED IN MY OPENING.
TEST SCORES ARE UP.
OUR GRADUATION RATES ARE RISING.
EDUCATOR PAY IS RISING, AND THE
CULTURE AROUND EDUCATION IS
GOOD.
ADDRESSING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE
RETIRED OR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
LOOKING FOR BETTER OPPORTUNITIES
MAYBE IN SOMETHING THAT THEY
FEEL THAT THEY COULD DO A BETTER
JOB AT AND HAVE CONSULTED WITH
ME ABOUT LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT
IS INAPPROPRIATE TO TALK ABOUT
PERSONNEL MATTERS ON THE TV, BUT
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE
VOTERS OF IDAHO TO KNOW WE ARE
ON A GREAT TRACK RECORD OF
SUCCESS IN EDUCATION.
THE TIME MY EMPLOYEES PUT IN IN
SERVIE INING EDUCATORS IN THE
STATE
OF IDAHO HAS PAID OFF WELL.
OUR NUMBER ONE MISSION AND GOAL
IS ABOUT SUPPORTING SCHOOLS AND
STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE, AND WE WANT
TO KEEP UP THAT MOMENTUM.
>> WHY THEN HAVE YOU CHANGED
CHIEF POLICY ADVISORS A COUPLE
OF TIMES?
AT THIS POINT, I BELIEVE HAVE
NOT EVEN FILLED THAT POST.
>> IT'S A LARGE ORGANIZATION.
ACTUALLY, IN THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, ONE OF
THE LARGEST ORGANIZATIONS IN THE
STATE OF IDAHO, WE'VE HAD
PROBABLY LESS TURNOVER THAN SOME
OF THE OTHER STATE AGENCIES, BUT
IT'S MORE ABOUT OUR MISSION.
IT'S MORE ABOUT SUPPORTING
SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE.
IT IS ABOUT THE POSITIVE
MOMENTUM.
IT IS ABOUT STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK
AND ENGAGEMENT.
IT IS ABOUT THE GREAT THINGS
THAT ARE GOING ON IN EDUCATION
RIGHT NOW.
I DO HAVE STRONG EMPLOYEES THAT
ARE STILL THERE THAT ARE DOING A
GREAT JOB.
>> MS. WILSON, IF ELECTED, YOU
WILL BE HEADING INTO YOUR FIRST
LEGISLATIVE SESSION AS
SUPERINTENDENT WITHOUT A
FIVE-YEAR PLAN FROM THE
GOVERNOR, A LONG-TERM BUDGET, OR
AN EXPERIENCED TEAM TO FALL BACK
ON.
HOW WILL YOU PUT TOGETHER YOUR
BUDGET AND YOUR PIRARIORITIES
AND
WHO WILL YOU ASK TO HELP CRAFT
YOUR MESSAGE?
>> I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS
QUESTION.
I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE BUDGET
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE SET
BUDGETS FOR 20 OR MORE YEARS.
FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, I'VE
SAT IN REGULARLY AS WE SET THE
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION BUDGET.
I HAVE ASEMIABLE E ASSEMBLED A
TEAM OF
PEOPLE THAT ARE CAN-DO
EDUCATORS.
IN MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
TEACHING ACROSS THIS STATE, I
HAVE MET SOME OUTSTANDING
PEOPLE, EXPERTS THAT WE VALUE
THEIR EXPERTISE AND THAT HAVE
ALREADY OFFERED TO HELP ME IN
OUR CAMPAIGN AND CREATE A
VISION.
WE'RE CREATING ALL KINDS OF
POLICY PAPERS RIGHT NOW ON HOW
TO MOVE FORWARD, AND I AM SO
READY TO GET THIS VISION FOR THE
NEXT FIVE YEARS.
I SERVED ON THE GOVERNOR'S TASK
FORCE FOR EDUCATION REFORM.
WE'RE COMING TO END OF THOSE
IDEAS.
IT'S TIME FOR A NEW SET OF
IDEAS, AND I'M READY TO MAKE IT
HAPPEN.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
KEVIN RICHERT.
>> FIRST, MS. WILSON, I WANT TO
FOLLOW UP A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
THAT ANSWER.
SOMETIMES THE HARDEST THING TO
DO IN LIFE IS TO SAY NO TO YOUR
FRIENDS.
YOU HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME MEMBER
OF THE IDAHO EDUCATION
ASSOCIATION.
YOU HAVE REPRESENTED THE
ASSOCIATION ON THE TASK FORCE
FIVE YEARS AGO, AND THEY'VE
ENDORSED YOU.
TEACHERS' SALARIES COMPRISE THE
BIGGEST SHARE OF THE STATE
BUDGET.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE TO
POTENTIALLY SAY NO TO YOUR
ALLIES IN THE TEACHERS' UNION IF
IT COMES TO THAT?
>> THAT WON'T BE A PROBLEM AT
ALL.
I HAVE A 30-YEAR CAREER THAT'S
BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
I'M NOT AFRAID TO STAND UP.
I STOOD UP WHEN I HAD OPPOSE
PROPS 1, 2, AND 3.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM STANDING
UP, AND NO ONE CONTROLS ME.
MY PASSION IS WORKING WITH
CHILDREN AND SUPPORTING TEACHERS
IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.
IF I DON'T THINK IT IS THE BEST
WAY AND IF MY ADVISORS WHO ARE
WORKING WITH ME FROM ALL SIDES
OF THIS STATE FEEL THAT SAME
WAY, I'LL LISTEN TO THAT ADVICE.
>> ON A RELATED VEIN THEN,
SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA, IN THE
FOUR YEARS YOU'VE BEEN IN
OFFICE, ARE THERE EXAMPLES WHERE
YOU'VE HAD TO SAY NO TO ALLIES
AND TURN DOWN REQUESTS FROM
ALLIES?
>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT YOU'RE
REFERRING TO SEPARATION OF
POWERS AND GOVERNMENT.
OF COURSE, YOU BUILD
RELATIONSHIPS IN THE POLITICAL
ARENA.
THAT'S NOT TO SAY YOU DON'T HAVE
DIFFERENCES OF OPINION, BUT AT
THE END OF THE DAY, YOU NEED TO
MOVE FORWARD FOR THE KIDS.
WE'VE DONE THAT.
I ALREADY HAVE A STRONG
LEADERSHIP TEAM IN PLACE, AND WE
ALREADY HAVE A VISION.
IT'S ALREADY WORKING FOR ID
IDAHOANS.
AGAIN, PROVEN BY MY POSITIVE
TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS.
I WILL SAY WHAT EDUCATORS HAVE
SAID ALL ALONG.
UNTIL WE GOT HERE TODAY, THERE'S
NO MORE NEW SHINY OBJECTS.
WE'RE NOT INTERESTED IN
CHANGING.
WE'RE NOT INTERESTED -- OF
COURSE, WE LOVE INNOVATION.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THAT MEANS, BUT
WE'RE INTERESTED IN STAYING THE
COURSE AND CONTINUING TO SEE
THOSE GREAT GAINS IN EDUCATION.
I ALREADY HAVE A STRONG TEAM IN
PLACE READY TO SERVE.
THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES ABOUT
TO HAPPEN IN IDAHO, BUT THE ONE
THING THAT YOU WILL GET WITH ME
AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT IS
CONSISTENCY WITH THAT PLAN FOR
IMPROVEMENT.
>> LET'S SHIFT GEARS AND TALK
FOR A FEW MINUTES ABOUT SCHOOL
SAFETY.
I WANT TO START WITH YOU,
SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA.
YOU UNVAVEI UNVEILED A $20
MILLION
SCHOOL SAFETY INITIATIVE IN
MARCH.
THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE STATE
LEGISLATURE FINISHED THE
EDUCATION BUDGETS.
IT HAPPENED A MONTH AFTER THE
PARKLAND, FLORIDA, MASSACRE.
IT HAPPENED 38 MONTHS AFTER YOU
WERE SWORN IN AS STATE
SUPERINTENDENT.
WHAT TOOK SO LONG?
>> YOU KNOW, I'M ON THE RECORD
FOR TALKING ABOUT THIS VERY
SUBJECT IN THE JOINT FINANCE
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE IN
JANUARY.
I SAID SPECIFICALLY IN THE SAFE
AND DRUG FREE LINE ITEM THAT
SOMETHING WAS COMING AND THAT
WAS PHASE 3 ACTUALLY OF THE
BULLYING INITIATIVE THAT I START
STARTED AND MY TEAM STARTED WHEN
I TOOK OFFICE, SO THIS HAS
INVOLVED MANY STAKEHOLDERS.
IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG PROCESS.
THE CHRONOLOGICAL TIME FRAME FOR
WHEN WE STARTED THIS IS ON OUR
WEBSITE, AND I INVITE IDAHOANS
TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, BUT IT'S
TAKEN A LOT OF STAKEHOLDER
FEEDBACK.
THIS IS ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE
PRIORITIES FROM PARENTS AND
STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE STATE OF
IDAHO.
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO THEMES THAT
I'VE HEARD LATELY AND SINCE I
TOOK OFFICE AND THAT IS EDUCATOR
PAY AND THE SAFETY OF OUR KIDS.
AS THE MOTHER OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL
STUDENT MYSELF, THIS IS EXACTLY
THE DIRECTION WE NEED TO GO.
YOU KNOW WHY I INVITED THE
COLUMBINE PRINCIPAL TO IDAHO?
HE TOLD THE CROWD YOUR
SUPERINTENDENT IS ON THE RIGHT
TRACK.
I WISH WE WOULD HAVE HAD SOME OF
THESE POLICIES IN PLACE WHEN I
ENDURED THE UNTHINKABLE.
>> OKAY.
BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT
PROCESS BECAUSE STAKEHOLDER
GROUPS HAVE FELT THEY WERE
EXCLUDED FROM THE CREATION OF
THIS PROCESS.
IN A WEBINAR LAST MONTH, MATT
McCARTER OF YOUR DEPARTMENT SAID
THE INTENTION OF RELEASING THAT
PLAN WAS TO, QUOTE, MAKE A
SPLASH, UNQUOTE, AND TO THEN
BEGIN A POLICY DISCUSSION.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ROLLED OUT
A POLICY PLAN OF HIGH MAGNITUDE
WITHOUT SPEAKING TO THE PEOPLE
WHO WOULD HAVE TO ACTUALLY
IMPLEMENT IT.
>> I REFER TO IT THIS WAY.
THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES WHERE
YOU'LL HEAR POLICY BECAUSE
THAT'S WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE
SESSION STARTS, RIGHT BEFORE WE
WALK IN, BUT THIS IS A LONG TIME
IN THE MAKING.
IT IS PHASE 3 OF THE BULLYING
INITIATIVE, AND I AM VERY IN
TUNE TO STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK.
PROVEN BY THE FACT I HAVE
ESTABLISHED THE PARENTAL
ADVISORY COUNCIL.
I HAVE FORMED THE RED TAPE
COMMITTEE SO WE CAN BREAKTHROUGH
SOME OF THE BUREAUCRACY.
MY TEAM AND MY DEPARTMENT ALSO
CAME UP WITH FACE, THE FAMILY
AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
CONFERENCE THAT WAS VERY
SUCCESSFUL WHERE I MENTIONED
EARLIER THAT THE COLUMBINE
PRINCIPAL CAME AND SAID THE
THINGS YOU HAVE IN PLACE FOR
SAFETY ARE RIGHT ON.
NOW THIS WHOLE PACKAGE THAT'S
BEEN ANNOUNCED TO THE STATE OF
IDAHO.
I USE THIS ANALOGY.
IF I WERE IN THE FRONT YARD
GARDENING AND MY 2-YEAR-OLD SON
RAN OUT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE
ROAD, WOULD I LOOK AT MY
NEIGHBOR AND MY HUSBAND AND SAY
ARE YOU OKAY IF I JUST GO GRAB
HIM AND SAVE HIS LIFE OR DOES A
MOM REACT, GO GET HER SON FROM
THE ROAD, AND COME BACK AND LOOK
AT EVERYBODY AND SAY, YOU KNOW
WHAT, MAYBE WE NEED TO
BRAINSTORM ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD
DO TO PREVENT THIS NEXT TIME?
MAYBE I LOOK AT MY HUSBAND AND
SAY THE BOTH OF US NEED TO BE IN
THE FRONT YARD WHEN MY BACK IS
TURNED AND I'M GARDENING.
MAYBE I LOOK AT THE NEIGHBOR AND
SAY MAYBE WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT
BUILDING A FENCE SO WE PROTECT
ALL OF OUR KIDS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS IS THE SAME PROCESS.
EVERYBODY HAS BEEN INVOLVED.
WE HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO
TAKE STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK, AND
WE ARE DOING THE NUMBER ONE
THING IN IDAHO THAT WE NEED TO
DO AND THAT IS COMPLIMENT THE
GREAT WORK THAT'S GOING ON IN
THE DISTRICTS THAT ARE WORKING
HARD TO PROTECT OUR STUDENTS AND
MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THINGS IN
PLACE MOVING FORWARD SO THAT
EVERYBODY FEELS COMFORTABLE.
>> MS. WILSON, YOU WANTED TO
RESPOND TO THAT.
>> THIS IS ABSOLUTE
MISREPRESENTATION.
I HAVE TALKED TO PEOPLE THAT
WERE ON THAT PARENT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
FIRST OF ALL, LET'S TALK ABOUT
HOW THAT WAS CREATED.
MEMBERS OF THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE
WENT TO THE IDAHO DIGITAL
LEARNING ACADEMY AND ASKED FOR A
PARENT PORTAL.
IT WAS BETWEEN THOSE DISCUSSIONS
THAT A CONCERN CAME UP ABOUT
PARENT GROUPS.
THEN A PARENT GROUP WAS FORMED,
BUT THOSE PARENTS WHO SAT ON
THAT GROUP RELAYED TO ME THAT
WHAT HAPPENED WAS MS. IBARRA AND
MR. McCARTER CAME INTO THE
COMMITTEE, LAID OUT THE PLAN,
TOLD THEM THIS IS OUR KISS PLAN,
AND TOLD THEM THEY WERE GOING TO
MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
THEY HAD NO INPUT.
THEY HAD NO SAY.
I HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH THE
DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL
SAFETY.
IT WAS CREATED TO OVERSEE SCHOOL
SAFETY IN IDAHO.
OUR CHILDREN'S SAFETY SHOULD NOT
BE A POLITICAL ISSUE THAT IS
THROWN AROUND LIKE THIS.
I SIT EVERY YEAR AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND
I WATCH THOSE TRAINING VIDEOS OF
WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO TO
PROTECT MY CHILDREN.
I'VE TAUGHT 4,000 CHILDREN IN
THIS STATE.
THEY ARE MY CHILDREN, AND I'LL
DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE
SURE THEY'RE SAFE.
I GO TO THE EXPERTS.
YOU KNOW WHAT THE DIRECTOR TOLD
ME?
THIS PLAN, THEIR OFFICE, NONE OF
THAT WAS CONSULTED WITH THEM NOR
WERE ANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAD
TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN.
NOT TEACHERS, NOT SCHOOL BOARDS,
NOT ADMINISTRATORS, NOT PUBLIC
SAFETY OFFICIALS.
HERE'S THE OTHER PROBLEM WITH
THAT PLAN.
IT INCLUDES $21 MILLION IN A
GRANT PROGRAM.
WELL, GUESS WHAT.
AT THAT SAME TIME, THE OFFICE OF
SK
SCHOOL SAFETY HAD ALREADY
APPLIED FOR A GRANT.
THEY GOT A FEDERAL GRANT FOR
OVER $4,000 TO HELP IMPLEMENT
SOME OF THESE SAFETY STANDARDS
IN SCHOOL.
IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT SOME OF THE
THINGS THAT ARE IN THAT PLAN.
IT IS TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN'S
NEEDS, THEIR MENTAL HEALTH,
SUICIDE.
THIS IS A MISREPRESENTATION OF
WHAT'S HAPPENED IN SO MANY AREAS
OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
>> SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA, WOULD
YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?
>> I'M SO SAD THAT MY OPPONENT
IS MISINFORMED.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHO MR. McCARTER
IS, BUT THE KISS INITIATIVE, MY
PAC WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THAT.
THE PARENTS WERE NOMINATED BY
THEIR PEERS FROM EACH CORNER OF
THE STATE OF IDAHO.
THEY'RE PILLARS IN THEIR
SOCIETY.
THEY PUT IN A LOT OF TIME TO
MEET WITH ME.
THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THE
PORT
PORT
PORTAL, THE PARENT PORTAL, THAT
THE STATE DEPARTMENT WORKED VERY
HARD WITH IDAHO DIGITAL LEARNING
ACADEMY TO PUT INTO PLACE, BUT
THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS OF
THE KISS INITIATIVE.
THE FIRST PART IS A GRANT
OPPORTUNITY FOR DISTRICTS.
>> MS. IBARRA --
>> -- WHO ARE WORKING TOGETHER
WITH US ON THE GAPS AND HOLES
THAT THEY FIND IN FACILITIES.
THE NEXT PART OF THAT INITIATIVE
HAS TO DO WITH TRAINING.
TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING FOR
OUR EDUCATORS ON SAFETY.
ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT REQUIRED BY
EDUCATORS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION IS REQUIRED TO
OFFER SOMETHING.
YOU KNOW WHAT.
WHEN WE SPOKE WITH THE COLUMBINE
PRINCIPAL LAST WEEK HE SAID THIS
IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU
CAN DO, TRAINING FOR YOUR
TEACHERS.
WITH TRAINING, WE THINK ABOUT
VIOLENT ACTS, BUT IT INCLUDES
EVERYTHING FROM BULLYING TO
SUICIDE TO HARASSMENT TO
PREVENTIVE SERVICES.
THAT'LL BE THE ONGOING PIECE.
AND THE LAST PIECE IS A
STATEWIDE CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
COUNSELOR WHO WILL HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH
STUDENTS AND DISTRICTS ON THOSE
GAPS AND HOLES THAT THE OFFICE
OF SECURITY AND SAFETY IS
WORKING ON RIGHT NOW WITH
SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS.
IF THERE'S GAPS, AND THEN THE
STATEWIDE COMMUNICATIONS
COUNSELOR CAN HELP SCHOOLS FIND
THE RESOURCES TO FIX THOSE GAPS.
>> AS A PARENT, I'M LISTENING TO
THIS.
WE'RE SIX YEARS AFTER SANDY
HOOK.
I SEND MY KINDERGARTNER TO
SCHOOL EVERY SINGLE DAY, LIKE SO
MANY PARENTS IN THIS COUNTRY,
WONDERING IF HE'S SAFE.
CAN YOU TELL ME SIX YEARS AFTER
SANDY HOOK THAT MY KID IS SAFE
IN SCHOOL?
CAN YOU TELL THE PARENTS OF
IDAHO THAT YOU'VE DONE ENOUGH,
THAT THE STATE HAS DONE ENOUGH
WITH THIS MUCH TIME?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THE STATE OF IDAHO SCHOOLS AND
DISTRICTS ARE WORKING VERY HARD.
THIS COMPLEMENTS THE WORK THAT
WE'RE ALREADY DOING.
YOU KNOW I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SIT DOWN WITH STUDENTS AS I
TRAVELED THE STATE.
THE ONE THING -- I ASKED THEM,
DO YOU FEEL SAFE?
THE STUDENTS LOOKED AT ME AND
SAID, YES, WE DO.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE KNOW WE
CAN DO MORE, AND WE WOULD LIKE
TO BE PART OF THAT PROCESS IN
TIMES THEY'RE IN LARGE MASSES,
LIKE BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL FOR
ASSEMBLIES.
I WAS IN A POLITICAL EVENT WITH
OVER 300 PEOPLE, AND I LOOKED
AROUND THE ROOM AND THERE WERE
FOUR STATE TROOPERS IN THERE.
I SAID THIS IS WHAT OUR KIDS ARE
TALKING ABOUT WHEN THEY DON'T
FEEL SAFE.
IF WE CAN DO IT FOR ADULTS, WE
CAN DO IT FOR KIDS.
>> IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT.
THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
KEVIN.
>> I WANT TO GO QUICKLY TO MS.
WILSON BECAUSE I'VE HEARD YOU
TALK ABOUT SCHOOL SECURITY AND
SCHOOL SAFETY ISSUES, AND I'M
STILL NOT SURE WHAT YOUR PLAN IS
AND WHAT IT COSTS.
WHAT'S YOUR PLAN AND WHAT'S THE
COST?
>> THANK YOU.
FIRST OF ALL, THE COST IS ZERO.
I BELIEVE IN EFFICIENT SPENDING
IN IDAHO SCHOOLS.
THE COST IS ZERO BECAUSE GUESS
WHO IS DEALING WITH THE COST.
THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY.
THEY RECENTLY RECEIVED A GRANT
OF OVER $400,000.
THEY DO AUDITS YEEARLY.
THEY GO INTO THE SCHOOLS.
THEY FIND OUT WHAT THE NEEDS OF
THE SCHOOLS ARE.
THE NUMBER ONE FACTOR THAT THE
DIRECTOR HAS HEARD AS HE'S
TRAVELED TO CONFERENCES ACROSS
THE STATE AS AN EXPERT IN SCHOOL
SAFETY IS WE NEED MENTAL HEALTH
HELP IN THE EARLY GRADES.
IT'S TOO LATE ONCE A VIOLENT
INCIDENT STARTS.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED IN SOME OF
THESE SCHOOLS LIKE COLUMBINE.
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THREAT
ASSESSMENT WITH THE EXPERTS.
>> I AM SADDENED THAT MY
OPPONENT IS NOT AWARE THAT THE
OFFICE OF SCHOOL AND SAFETY IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR FACILITIES.
THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE
INSIDE THAT FACILITY, AND I WILL
DO EVERYTHING THAT I CAN AS THE
MOTHER OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL
STUDENT TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF
THE KIDS OF IDAHO THROUGH THIS
INITIATIVE.
THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE ASK, ONE
OF THE NUMBER ONE ASKS FROM THE
STAKEHOLDERS OF IDAHO.
I WILL WORK ALONGSIDE TIRELESS
WITH THE OFFICE OF SECURITY AND
SAFETY SO WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
TO KEEP IDAHO CHILDREN SAFE.
>> WE HAVE TO MOVE ON.
>> BUT YOU DIDN'T ASK THEM ABOUT
IT BEFORE YOU CREATED YOUR PLAN.
I THINK THAT'S INTERESTING.
>> WE'RE GOING TO STAY WITH
KEVIN.
>> WE'RE GOING TO SHIFT GEARS TO
AN ENTIREL DIFFERENT TOPIC, BUT
AN IMPORTANT ONE.
IDAHO HAS A 6 0% GOAL TO TRY TO
GET MORE YOUG ADULTS TO HOLD A
COLLEGE DEGREE OR HOLD A
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE.
WE'RE FAR FROM THAT GOAL, AND
ALMOST EVERY EXPERT SAYS THE
STATE IS NOT GOING TO GET TO
THIS GOAL UNLESS YOU CAN BRING A
WHOLE NEW COHORT OF STUDENTS
INTO EDUCATION BEYOND HIGH
SCHOOL, RURAL STUDENTS, STUDENTS
FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS,
LATINO STUDENTS, NATIVE-AMERICAN
STUDENTS.
WHAT IS YOUR SPECIFIC PLAN TO
TRY TO ADDRESS THESE DEMOGRAPHIC
GAPS?
>> YES, THANK YOU.
FIRST OF ALL, WHY IS 60%
IMPORTANT?
BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT'S WHERE THE
ECONOMIC IMPACT COMES.
IF YOU CAN GET 60% OF YOUR
STUDENTS GOING ON, IT HELPS YOUR
STATE ECONOMICALLY.
HOW DO WE MAKE IT HAPPEN?
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
IT'S THE KEY, AND WE KNOW THAT
BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING
THIS FOR A LONG TIME.
I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THAT
THIRD GRADE READING LEVEL IS A
BENCHMARK FOR HOW KIDS ARE GOING
TO DO IN SCHOOL.
THAT'S THE FIRST PLACE WE HAVE
TO LOOK.
IF WE CAN DO THAT, STUDENTS CAN
BE MORE SUCCESSFUL IN STUDENT.
HOWEVER, UNDER THE LAST FOUR
YEARS OF LEADERSHIP, THERE ARE
POPULATIONS IN OUR STATE WHO ARE
FALLING WAY BEHIND.
ABOUT 25% OF A GAP IN WHO'S
SUCCEEDING AND WHO ISN'T.
YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
IT'S THOSE POPULATIONS OF WHICH
YOU MENTIONED.
THEY ARE HISPANIC CHILDREN,
NATIVE-AMERICAN CHILDREN, AND
CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN POVERTY.
THOSE HAVE TO BE THE FOCUS.
THOSE CHILDREN HAVE TO BE THE
FOCUS FOR US TO HELP THEM, AND
WE DO IT THROUGH PROVIDING EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, PUTTING THE
DOLLARS THERE WHERE THEY NEED TO
BE.
>> SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA, YOU'VE
BEEN IN OFFICE FOR FOUR YEARS.
THESE GAPS ARE LINGERING, AND
THEY'RE DIFFICULT TO BRIDGE.
HOW DO YOU ASSESS WHERE THE
STATE IS RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF
NARROWING THOSE GAPS OR ARE THE
GAPS JUST WIDENING?
>> YOU KNOW, I'M PROUD TO BE A
MEMBER OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION
TASK FORCE APPOINTED BY OUR
GOVERNOR, SO I WOULD SAY THAT
THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT WORK
HAPPENING TO ENSURE THAT WE MEET
OUR 60% GOAL.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE LOOKED
AT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE HAD
STRUCTURED SCHEDULES, THAT THERE
WAS MORE ONE-TO-ONE COUNSELING
FOR OUR STUDENTS AS WELL AS
ADDING SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADES
TO TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
A CAREER TECH NNICAL EDUCATION
IS
HOW WE GET KIDS TO GO ON.
WE'VE LOOKED AT HAVING DIFFERENT
MODALITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
SOCIETY IS CHANGING, AND OFTEN
PEOPLE HAVE TO WORK TWO JOBS, SO
WE WANT A COMBINATION OF ONLINE
LEARNING AS WELL AS IN-PERSON
LEARNING AND ON THE WEEKENDS.
WE HAVE SEEN SOME BRIGHT SPOTS
IN THAT 60% GOAL.
WE'VE SEEN MORE CREDITS EARNED
BY OUR STUDENTS, AND WE ARE
SEEING THAT THE GPA IS
INCREASING FOR OUR STUDENTS.
AND SO, WE ARE VERY PROUD OF
THAT WORK.
WE KNOW WE HAVE MORE TO DO.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION --
>> MAY I ADDRESS THAT JUST
BRIEFLY?
>> VERY BRIEFLY.
>> SOME STUDENTS ARE DOING WELL,
BUT THE STUDENTS IN THOSE
POPULATIONS WE ADDRESSED ARE
NOT.
ONE COOL THING THAT'S HAPPENING
THAT I FOUND OUT BECAUSE I'VE
BEEN TRAVELING ACROSS THE STATE
MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES,
THEY'RE GOING INTO THE LOCAL
HIGH SCHOOLS -- THIS IS
HAPPENING DOWN IN THE
RESERVATION.
THEY'RE GETTING THOSE STUDENTS
AND BRING THEM ON TO CAMPUS.
THEY HAVE AN ADVISOR PREPARE
THEM FOR THEIR COLLEGE
EXPERIENCE.
THEY'RE SEEING A TREMENDOUS
RESULT.
THEY'RE IN IDAHO STATE AS WELL.
>> THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE MY
DEPARTMENT RUNS THAT PROGRAM.
IT'S CALLED COLLEGE AND CAREER
ADVISING.
>> THAT'S NOT THE PROGRAM I'M
TALKING ABOUT.
>> THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB OF
MAKING SURE THAT KIDS HAVE THOSE
CONNECTIONS THAT I DIDN'T HAVE
GROWING UP.
HAVING FEDERAL STUDENT AID
NIGHTS WHERE KIDS HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SIT WITH THEIR
PARENTS AND GET THE PAPERWORK
FILLED OUT TO GO TO COLLEGE,
ADVANCED OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS
WE'RE OFFERING NOW WHERE
STUDENTS CAN EARN COLLEGE
CREDITS WHILE THEY'RE STILL IN
HIGH SCHOOL, SO THERE'S A LOT OF
GRE
GREAT WORK GOING ON IN OUR
DISTRICTS.
>> NEXT QUESTION IS FROM CLARK
CORBIN FROM MS. WILSON.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE TOPICS
A LITTLE BIT AND TALK ABOUT
TEACHER PAY.
I'M GOING TO ASK YOU BOTH THE
SAME QUESTION, BUT I'LL START
WITH MS. WILSON.
MS. WILSON, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN
FOR PAYING OUR TEACHERS AFTER
THE LEGISLATURE ACTS THIS YEAR
ON THE FINAL YEAR OF OUR CAREER
LADDER SALARY PLAN?
HAVE WE DONE ENOUGH IN THAT PLAN
TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TEACHERS
OR IS THERE MORE WORK TO DO?
>> WE'RE LOSING SO MANY TEACHERS
EVERY YEAR.
ONE IN FOUR TEACHERS LEAVES THE
PROFESSION FIVE YEARS IN.
WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH.
I SERVED ON THE GOVERNOR'S TASK
FORCE FOR EDUCATION REFORM.
THE ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATION WAS
MUCH HIGHER THAN WHERE WE ARE
TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US IMPLEMENT
AT LEAST THAT STARTING
RECOMMENDATION THAT WE LOOKED AT
ON THE TASK FORCE AND ACTUALLY
GO FARTHER THAN THAT BECAUSE
RIGHT NOW WE'VE BEEN WAITING
THESE LAST FIVE YEARS GETTING UP
TO THAT POINT WHILE OTHER STATES
ARE GOING AHEAD OF US.
I TALKED TO A TEACHER TODAY FROM
THE PANHANDLE AREA.
11 TEACHERS FROM HER DISTRICT
LEFT THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE STATE
OF WASHINGTON IS PAYING 18% MORE
THAN WHAT WE ARE HERE IN IDAHO.
THEY'RE GETTING $20,000 TO
$30,000 MORE A YEAR FOR MASTER
TEACHERS.
I DEFINITELY WANT TO ADDRESS
THAT BECAUSE TEACHERS ARE
WORKING HARDER THAN EVER, BUT
WE'RE LOSING TEACHERS TO OTHER
STATES AND TO OTHER PROFESSIONS.
>> A QUICK FOLLOW-UP FOR MS.
WILSON, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
YOU TALKED ABOUT WANTING TO DO
MORE WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHER
PAY, BUT IF WE WANT TO DO MORE
AND IF WE WANT TO KONL PECOMPETE
WITH
OUR NEIGHBORING STATES, WE MIGHT
NEED MORE MONEY.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT EITHER RAISING
TAXES OR CUTTING FUNDING FOR
OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND
DEVOTING THAT TO TEACHER PAY?
>> WE NEED TO USE MONEY MORE
EFFICIENTLY IN THIS STATE.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT A
BIG BUDGET INCREASE IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION BECAUSE
WE'RE FILLING OUR PRISONS.
WE NEED TO PUT OUR MONEY AT THE
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SIDE
OF A PERSON'S LIFE TO HELP THEM
SO THEY DON'T END UP
INCARCERATED LATER IN LIFE AND
THEY CAN ACHIEVE IN SCHOOL, SO I
DON'T SEE THAT COST AS BEING
TREMENDOUS IN CHANGING THE STATE
BUDGET BUT JUST SPENDING OUR
MONEY MORE EFFICIENTLY.
RIGHT NOW, THE STATE LOSES AT A
MINIMUM $6 MILLION EVERY YEAR
BECAUSE OF TEACHERS WHO ARE
LEAVING THE STATE -- EXCUSE ME,
LEAVING THE PROFESSION BECAUSE
WE HAVE TO RETRAIN AND RECRUIT
NEW TEACHERS COMING IN.
THAT'S A BIG EXPENSE, AND WE CAN
PUT THAT TOWARD OUR TEACHERS'
SALARIES TO KEEP BEST TEACHERS.
>> BUT HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO
IT?
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT?
SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TALKED
ABOUT INCREASED TEACHER PAY.
YOU WOULD BE NEW TO THE OFFICE.
YOU WOULD BE WORKING WITH A
LEGISLATURE THAT HAS SAID IT'S
PRETTY PROUD OF THE INCREASES
ITS PUT IN EDUCATION FUNDING, SO
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT?
>> I THINK THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION -- I KNOW THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION NEEDS TO BE THE LEAD
ON THIS ISSUE.
WE KNOW LAST YEAR OUR GOVERNOR
ACTUALLY REQUESTED A LARGER
BUDGET FOR EDUCATION THAN THE
SUPERINTENDENT.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE
THIS.
WHEN YOU ASK PEOPLE ACROSS THE
STATE WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT
TEACHERS, OFTENTIMES THEY'LL SAY
WE'RE NOT PAYING THEM ENOUGH.
WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE LEAVING.
WE'RE FACING A BIG TEACHER
SHORTAGE COMING UP NOW.
I'VE BEEN TALKING TO PEOPLE
ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT IT.
WE HAVE TO DO IT NOW.
WE HAVE TO TELL THE STORY.
THAT'S THE POINT, AND I THINK
THAT'S WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT
HAS TO DO IS GET OUT, TELL THE
STORY OF WHAT WE'VE SEEN, TRAVEL
THE STATE, AND THEN BRING PEOPLE
IN FROM THESE LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE TO TELL THAT STORY.
>> THANK YOU, MS. WILSON.
NOW FOR SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA.
YOUR BRAND-NEW BUDGET REQUEST
RECOMMENDS GOING ABOVE AND
BEYOND WHAT THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
IS FOR THE CAREER LADDER.
IF THE LEGISLATURE TAKES THAT UP
THIS YEAR, HAVE WE DONE ENOUGH
TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TEACHERS
OR WOULD YOU ASK FOR ADDITIONAL
RAISES IF YOU'RE SUCCESSFUL AND
RE-ELECTED THIS YEAR?
>> EDUCATOR PAY HAS BEEN
INCREASING, BUT WE NEED TO DO
MORE.
BUT THE NUMBER ONE ASK OF
STAKEHOLDERS WHEN WE CREATED THE
BUDGET THIS YEAR WAS THE CAREER
LADDER.
FOR THOSE OF YOU FOLKS WATCHING
TONIGHT, THE CAREER LADDER IS
INCREASED EDUCATOR PAY.
THEY ASKED THIS YEAR WE INVEST
IN INCREASES ABOVE AND BEYOND
WHAT WAS SCHEDULED.
ANYWHERE FROM 3% ALL THE WAY UP
TO 16%.
DO WE HAVE MORE TO DO?
ABSOLUTELY.
I DON'T THINK IT'S ONE PERSON'S
RESPONSIBILITY IN THE STATE OF
IDAHO.
THIS IS A BIG JOB, AND IT'S
GOING TO TAKE STATE AND LOCAL
SOLUTIONS TO SOLVE THIS.
IT TOOK US ABOUT TEN YEARS TO
GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE
HAVING AN EDUCATOR SHORTAGE.
IT WILL LIKELY TAKE US THAT LONG
TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE, AND IT'S
NOT JUST IDAHO.
IT'S NATIONAL, BUT WE'VE DONE A
LOT WITHIN THE STATE OF IDAHO TO
ADDRESS THAT.
ONE IS THE CAREER LADDER AND
MAKING SURE THAT HAS STAYED IN
PLACE BECAUSE THAT'S BEEN THE
NUMBER ONE ASK FROM OUR
STAKEHOLDERS.
THE OTHER THING WE'VE DONE IS
WE'VE HAD PUBLIC SERVICE
ANNOUNCEMENTS AROUND RAISING THE
PROFESSION.
I ALWAYS SAY THERE'S A
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JOB
COMPENSATION AND JOB
SATISFACTION.
ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE'VE
TRIED TO DO IS CHANGE THE
CULTURE AROUND TEACHING.
AND I'VE GOTTEN LOTS OF EMAILS
AND LOTS OF SUPPORT FOR -- THANK
YOU SO MUCH.
IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE ALL ON THE
SAME PAGE.
WE'RE HEADED DOWN THE RIGHT
PATH.
EDUCATOR PAY IS INCREASING.
YOU'VE KEPT YOUR PROMISES TO
MAKE SURE THE CAREER LADDER IS
BEINGHEADING INTO THE
FIFTH YEAR.
WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, WHAT'S
COMING UP NEXT, BUT THAT'S WHEN
YOU WOULD DO IT BECAUSE WE'RE IN
THE FIFTH YEAR OF
IMPLEMENTATION.
THE ORIGINAL TASK FORCE
RECOMMENDATION WAS A 40, 50, 60.
YOU'LL SEE IN MY BUDGET THAT
INCREASE FOR OUR VETERANS
BECAUSE THAT WE KNOW WHEN WE DID
A STUDY ON WHAT IS SPECIFICALLY
GOING ON IN IDAHO -- WE KNOW
THAT OUR CAREER LADDER WAS GREAT
AT ATTRACTING NOVICE TEACHERS TO
THE STATE OF IDAHO, WHICH IS THE
EARLY TEACHERS.
I RESPECT ALL TEACHERS --
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CUT YOU
OFF.
WE NEED TO MOVE ON.
>> WE'RE DOING LOTS TO SUPPORT
VETERANS, THAT INCREASED PAY,
THE MASTER TEACHER PREMIUM IS
COMING, AND MANY OTHER THINGS.
>> IF YOU'RE RE-ELECTED, ARE YOU
PREPARED TO TELL THE VOTERS YOU
WOULD GO TO THE LEGISLATURE IN
FUTURE YEARS AND ADVOCATE FOR
INCREASES IN TEACHER PAY?
>> YES OR NO.
>> WE HAVE A FIVE-YEAR PLAN FOR
EDUCATION IN IDAHO.
I THINK YOU HAVE SEEN -- I CAN'T
SPEAK FOR THE LEGISLATURE, BUT
WHAT I WILL SAY IS YOU HAVE SEEN
THEM MAKE EDUCATION A PRIORITY.
>> IS THAT A YES OR NO BECAUSE
WE HAVE TO MOVE ON?
>> I'M NOT GOING TO ANSWER THE
WAY THE MODERATOR WANTS ME TO
ANSWER.
WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN
EDUCATION ALL OVER.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE'VE GOT TO MOVE ON.
THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM BETSY
RUSSELL.
>> MAY I JUST MAKE ONE SENTENCE?
>> WE HAVE TO MOVE ON.
>> SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA, YOU
SAID EARLIER IN IDAHO EVERYTHING
IS GOING UP AND UP AND UP, BUT
LAST FALL, FOR THE FIRST TIME ON
RECORD, FEWER THAN HALF OF OUR
KINDERGARTNERS WERE READING AT
GRADE LEVEL WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT
KINDERGARTEN AS NEW STUDENTS.
YOUR PLAN FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION HAS INVOLVED A
SMARTPHONE APP MADE AVAILABLE TO
PARENTS OF 4-YEAR-OLDS.
HOW CAN WE MAKE HEADWAY ON
PREPARING KINDERGARTNERS FOR
SCHOOL WITHOUT MEANINGFUL TIME
IN A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?
>> I'M A SUPPORTER OF EARLY
EDUCATION BECAUSE THE RESEARCH
IS CLEAR THAT EVERY DOLLAR WE
INVEST IS AN $18 RETURN ON
INVESTMENT, BUT WHAT I WON'T
SUPPORT IS A MANDATE FROM THE
STATE OR FROM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DISTRICTS
THAT ARE DOING IT RIGHT THAT
HAVE PARTNERED WITH OUR -- OUR
DISTRICTS HAVE PARTNERED WITH
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
THAT'S A LOCAL DECISION, AND I
WOULD LIKE TO USE AN EXAMPLE.
I DIDN'T SEND MY SON TO SCHOOL
UNTIL HE WAS 6 YEARS OLD.
HE WAS READY ACADEMICALLY.
HIS MOM WAS A TEACHER, BUT
SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY HE WAS
NOT READY.
I ENJOY LOCAL CONTROL AND THE
RIGHT AS A PARENT TO MAKE THAT
CHOICE.
I CAN SAY HE'S SUCCESSFUL.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FOR MS.
WILSON.
>> MS. WILSON, YOU HAVE BEEN AN
ADVOCATE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION, BUT HOW CAN YOU MAKE
HEADWAY FOR PRE-K OR EARLY
KINDERGART
KINDERGARTEN?
>> I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS
POSSIBILITY.
THERE'S A GRANT PROGRAM THAT
WILL GO INTO 10 TO 12
COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE TO
CREATE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIPS FOR PRESCHOOL FOR
CHILDREN.
RIGHT NOW, NOT ALL DISTRICTS IN
OUR STATE EVEN HAVE FULL-TIME
KINDERGARTEN.
THAT'S NOT FAIR TO IDAHO
CHILDREN.
THEY NEED TO HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE SAME
EDUCATION AS STUDENTS ELSEWHERE
DO.
WE KNOW THAT PRESCHOOL IS
HELPING TREMENDOUSLY IN THE
DISTRICTS WHERE IT'S BEEN
IMPLEMENTED.
IDAHO CITY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.
CALDWELL IS ANOTHER GREAT
EXAMPLE OF THAT WHERE THEY HAVE
CREATED THOSE PARTNERSHIPS.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT STEP
BECAUSE FIRST GRADE TEACHERS, AS
I'VE BEEN TRAVELING ACROSS THE
STATE, THEY'RE TELLING ME
STUDENTS ARE NOT PREPARED WHEN
THEY COME INTO FIRST GRADE
UNLESS THEY'VE HAD PRESCHOOL AND
KINDERGARTEN BEFOREHAND.
HAVING TO MAKE UP THAT GAP HAS
BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT FOR OUR
FIRST GRADE TEACHERS.
>> BUT CAN WE DO IT WITH
PARTNERSHIPS AND GRANTS BUT
WITHOUT STATE FUNDING?
>> GUESS WHAT.
A POLL THAT WAS CREATED JUST
LAST YEAR BY THE SAME
ASSOCIATION FOUND THAT 76% OF
IDAHOANS WANT IT AND SUPPORT IT.
THAT'S USING PUBLIC OPINION TO
PUSH THAT FORWARD FOR
LEGISLATION.
IT ROSE TO 80% FOR PARENTS, SO
YES, I THINK WE DEFINITELY CAN.
I DON'T THINK WE CAN AFFORD NOT
TO.
>> YOU'RE SAYING WE SHOULD HAVE
STATE FUNDING OF PRE-K WHICH WE
DO NOT DO NOW?
>> CORRECT, BUT I WANT TO ADD
THIS.
THE NUMBER ONE PLACE A CHILD
SHOULD BE EDUCATED IS IN THE
HOME.
THAT'S NOT AVAILABLE TO ALL
CHILDREN, SO WE HAVE TO DO
SOMETHING ABOUT HELPING THOSE
KIDS WHO DON'T HAVE THAT
AVAILABLE.
A PRESCHOOL OPPORTUNITY WOULD
NOT BE MANDATED AT ALL.
IT WOULD BE A CHOICE.
>> SO WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING
ABOUT TEACHERS.
WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT
FACILITIES AND SCHOOLS THAT ARE
ALREADY OVERCROWDED, SO HOW
REALISTICALLY ARE WE GOING TO
PAY FOR THIS AND HOW MUCH IS IT
GOING TO COST?
>> I'VE BEEN TALKING TO
SUPERINTENDENTS ACROSS THE
STATE.
THEY WANT IT.
ALL OF THEM ARE SAYING WE WANT
PRESCHOOL AND FULL-DAY KINDER
KINDERGART
KINDERGARTEN, BUT THEY DON'T
HAVE FACILITY FOR IT.
THEY'VE BEEN PREPARING
COMMUNITIES AND ASKING THEM TO
GET TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH
LOCATIONS THAT MIGHT BE PUBLIC.
THEY MIGHT BE PRIVATE
PRESCHOOLS, BUT CREATING AN
ENVIRONMENT WHERE KIDS CAN HAVE
THAT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
KEVIN RICHERT.
>> SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA, LET'S
TALK ABOUT ANOTHER SET OF
NUMBERS THAT ARE UPPISH.
YOU MENTIONED GRADUATION RATES
TWICE THIS EVENING, BUT THE HARD
REALITY THE GRADUATION RATES
IMPROVED THIS YEAR BY A FACTOR
OF MAYBE TWO STUDENTS OUT OF A
COHORT OF 20,000 STUDENTS.
ISN'T IT MISLEADING TO SAY THE
GRADUATION RATES ARE UP WHEN
MOST STASTISTICIANS WOULD SAY
THAT'S REALLY FLAT?
>> I'M PROUD TO SAY OUR SAT
SCORES AND ACT SCORES -- ACT
SCORES ARE ANNOYANUNCED NEXT
WEEK.
THERE'S A REASON WE'RE RATED
NUMBER FIVE I THE NATION FOR
COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS.
THERE'S BEEN SOME GREAT THINGS
GOING ON IN EDUCATION.
>> BUT GRAD RATES ANY WAY YOU
SLICE THEM WERE 40th NATIONALLY
FOUR YEARS INTO YOUR TERM.
HOW DO YOU MEASURE THAT AS PART
OF YOUR ASSESSMENT FOUR YEARS
IN?
>> IT'S INTERESTING TO ME THAT
YOU CAN LOOK AT RESEARCH
ANYWHERE, BUT OVER AND OVER
AGAIN THE RESEARCH IS SHOWING
THAT IDAHOANS AND OUR STUDENTS
ARE DOING WELL COMPARED TO THEIR
PEERS.
THERE'S A LOT OF DATA OUT THERE
THAT SHOWS THAT.
THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT ON
EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS IS SHOWING
THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE HOLDING
THEIR OWN IN ACHIEVEMENT.
AGAIN, GRADUATION RATES ARE UP
ACROSS THE STATE OF IDAHO.
WE'VE GOTTEN NEARLY $100 MILLION
FOR EDUCATION EVERY YEAR SINCE I
TOOK OFFICE.
WE'VE SAVED THE TAXPAYERS NEARLY
$6 MILLION IN INTERNET COSTS
EVERY YEAR SINCE I TOOK OFFICE.
GREAT THINGS IN EDUCATION ARE
CONTINUING TO HAPPEN, AND YOU
CANNOT DENY THAT.
>> MAY I RESPOND?
>> YES, I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU.
>> THE PROBLEM WITH TALKING
ABOUT THIS WITH GRADUATION RATES
IS YOU'RE PUTTING A NUMBER ON MY
STUDENTS.
LAST YEAR, I WORKED WITH CRYSTAL
WHO HAD BEEN IN 15 FOSTER HOMES,
AND WHEN SHE TURNED 18, SHE JUST
WANTED TO LEAVE.
THOSE OTHER 4,000 STUDENTS WHO
DIDN'T GRADUATE HAVE A NAME, AND
TO SAY THAT BECAUSE TWO DID IS
NOT ENOUGH.
IF YOU'RE SATISFIED WITH STATUS
QUO, WE'VE ACTUALLY DROPPED TO
49 T4
49th IN THE NATION IN MANY
CATEGORIES.
ACCORDING TO YOUR WEBSITE, WHICH
I HAVE PERUSSED, OUR TEST SCORES
ARE NOT UP FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF
STUDENTS.
THOSE IN POVERTY, THOSE HISPANIC
CHILDREN, THOSE.
THE IEN, THE INTERNET CONTRACT,
THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF A
PROBLEM WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
ADMINISTRATION.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH
THAT.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS WANTED TO BE
ABLE TO CREATE SOMETHING
IMMEDIATELY FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE
INTERNET IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.
THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAME
FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION.
IT'S MISREPRESENTATION.
>> MS. WILSON, IT IS ROUGHLY
20,000 SENIORS.
ROUGHLY 4,000 ARE NOT
GRADUATING.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE HERE AND
NOW RIGHTLECTED TO
ADDRESS THAT?
>> WE NEED MORE RESOURCES IN
COMMUNITIES FOR HISPANIC
FAMILIES, FOR NATIVE-AMERICAN
CHILDREN, AND FOR CHILDREN WHO
ARE AT RISK AND FROM POVERTY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE LIST OF
SCHOOLS THAT ARE STRUGGLING
RIGHT NOW, ALL OF THEM HAVE
THOSE DEMOGRAPHICS IN THEM.
A GOOD EXAMPLE IS IN NORTHERN
IDAHO.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO AS A
STATE?
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YOUR
YE
-- FOUR YEARS.
THERE'S BEEN NOTHING HAPPENING
TO HELP THAT DEMOGRAPHIC.
SOME STUDENTS ARE ACHIEVING, BUT
IT'S NOT EVERYBODY IN THE STATE.
WE'RE LEAVING SO MANY BEHIND.
IT'S NOT FAIR TO KIDS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY
OPPONENT ARE SAYING EDUCATORS
ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB?
>> EDUCATORS ARE WORKING SO
HARD, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THEY
TOLD ME TODAY?
I WAS IN A MEETING WITH OVER 100
OF THEM TODAY.
THEY SAID PLEASE HELP US DO
SOMETHING.
WE'RE STRUGGLING.
WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN
WITH THE RESOURCES WE HAVE, BUT
IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
THAT WAS THE TEACHER WHO TOLD ME
SHE LOST 11 COLLEAGUES WHO LEFT
TO GO TO WASHINGTON THIS YEAR.
THIS IS A PROBLEM IN OUR STATE,
AND EVERY CHILD, EVERY CHILD,
DESERVES THE BEST QUALITY
EDUCATION POSSIBLE IN OUR STATE.
>> SO SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA, YOU
SEEM TO BE ARGUING THAT MS.
WILSON IS SUGGESTING THAT
EDUCATORS AREN'T DOING THEIR
JOB, BUT DO THEY HAVE THE
RESOURCES AND DO THEY HAVE
ENOUGH CONTROL OVER THE SOCIAL
DETERMINANTS TO ADEQUATELY GIVE
EDUCATION?
>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S THE
ONE THING THAT NICHOLBY DID
WELL.
THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT.
THERE IS AN ACHIEVEMENT GAP, AND
IT IS UNACCEPTABLE.
TEACHERS HAVE PROVED OVER AND
OVER AGAIN THE TRACK RECORD OF
SUCCESS WE'VE BEEN HAVING WITH
OUR PLAN.
THINGS LIKE MASTERY-BASED
EDUCATION, THE LEGISLATION THAT
I BROUGHT FORWARD, THE
FLEXIBILITY THAT KIDS NEED TO
TAKE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR
LEARNING KEEDS OLEARN
ING KEEPS OUR KIDS IN SCHOOL.
WE HAVE LOWERED CAREER TECHNICAL
EDUCATION DOWN TO THE SEVENTH
AND EIGHTH GRADES.
STUDENTS CAN EARN BADGES WHEN
THEY'RE PARTICIPATING IN THE
PROGRAMS THAT CAN SHOW THE
PEOPLE OF IDAHO WHAT IT IS THEY
KNOW.
THAT'S HOW WE KEEP KIDS IN
SCHOOL.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE PUT INTO
PLACE UNDER OUR FIVE-YEAR PLAN
FOR EDUCATION, AND WE'RE
BEGINNING TO SEE THE BRIGHT
SPOTS.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT PLAN
AND THOSE PROGRAMS TO CONTINUE
TO SEE THOSE GRADUATION RATES
RISE.
>> VERY BRIEFLY, MS. WILSON.
VERY BRIEFLY.
>> WHAT MS. IBARRA IS TALKING
ABOUT IS THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN FROM
THE EDUCATION REFORM TASK FORCE
ON WHICH I SERVED.
THE ADVANCED OPPORTUNITIES, THE
MASTERY EDUCATION, AND EVEN THE
CAREER LADDER ARE ALL ASPECTS OF
THE PLAN FROM WHICH I SERVED ON,
WHICH GOVERNOR OTTER APPOINTED
ME TO BE ON THAT COMMITTEE, SO
THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE
HARD WORK WE DID.
I'M THRILLED WE'RE COMING TO THE
COMPLETION OF THAT FIVE-YEAR
PLAN, BUT WHAT IS NEXT?
IT IS TIME TO CONVENE ANOTHER
GROUP TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE ONLY HAVE FIVE MINUTES LEFT
FOR THE DEBATE OPINI.N
>> THAT IS GREAT THAT THE
GOVERNOR APPOINTED YOU TO A
31-MEMBER TASK FORCE, BUT THE
GOVERNOR HAS ENDORSED ME AS
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION.
HE'S ALSO APPOINTED ME --
>> WHO IS GOING TO BE THE
GOVERNOR NEXT?
HAS THE LIEUTENANT --
>> THAT MEANS THAT I ALSO SERVE
ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
THE CHAIRWOMAN OF IDAHO SCHOOL
FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND.
>> HAS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OR
PAULETTE JORDAN ENDORSED YOU?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS.
HE WILL BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF
IDAHO.
>> I FIND IT INTERESTING THE
LIST OF ENDORSEMENTS, SO I
STARTED CALLING PEOPLE TO FIND
OUT ABOUT IT.
THE VERY FIRST PERSON I CALLED
ON THE LIST, DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE
SAID?
I DID?
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL SURELY FACT CHECK THAT.
CLARK CORBIN, NEXT QUESTION IS
FROM YOU.
>> REAL QUICKLY, I WANT TO ASK
YOU BOTH A QUESTION ABOUT
COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY.
I MET A SENIOR FROM WALLACE
WHOSE FAMILY HAS BEEN SAVING FOR
YEARS, BUT THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT
PAYING FOR COLLEGE.
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE HIGHER
EDUCATION MORE AFFORDABLE IN
IDAHO?
>> A STUDENT CAN GET AN
ASSOCIATE DEGREE WHILE STILL IN
HIGH SCHOOL.
IT'S A GREAT INVESTMENT IN OUR
STATE.
I WOULD CONTINUE WITH THAT
PROGRAM.
>> SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA, WOULD
YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?
>> CAN YOU ASK ME THE QUESTION
AGAIN, PLEASE?
>> WHAT WOULD YOU DO,
SUPERINTENDENT, TO MAKE COLLEGE
MORE AFFORDABLE FOR OUR YOUNG
PEOPLE?
>> I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF OUR
HIGHER EDUCATION TASK FORCE.
WE'RE LOOKING AT OUTCOMES-BASED
FUNDING.
SIMPLY PUT, IT IS PUTTING A PLAN
INTO PLACE AND MAKING SURE THAT
STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS, MAKING
SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE
GRADUATING, AND ALSO PROGRAMS
LIKE ADVANCED OPPORTUNITIES
PROGRAMS THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO
TAKE COLLEGE CREDITS WHILE THEY
ARE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH
IS WILDLY SUCCESSFUL IN IDAHO.
IT HAS SAVED OUR FAMILIES
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
IN COLLEGE COSTS.
WE ARE CONTINUING TO LOOK AT
THINGS LIKE MAKING SURE THAT WE
HAVE COLLEGE AND CAREER ADVISING
IN PLACE, SO THE STATE OF IDAHO
HAS DONE A LOT.
WE STILL HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO
DO.
I WAS DOWN SPEAKING IN THE
MADISON SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THEY WERE TALKING TO ME ABOUT
THE ADVANCED OPPORTUNITIES
PROGRAM AND HOW MUCH IT HAS
SAVED THEIR FAMILIES.
MY OWN SON --
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CUT YOU
OFF THERE.
>> I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE
SAVINGS.
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CUT YOU
OFF THERE.
WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.
PROPONENTS OF PROPOSITION 1 AND
2 HAVE SAID THIS WILL AFFECT
SCHOOLS.
WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT SOCIAL
DETERMINANTS AND POVERTY AND HOW
THOSE AFFECT STUDENTS.
MS. WILSON, WHERE DO YOU STAND
ON HISTORICAL HORSE RACING AND
EXPANDING MEDICAID?
>> ON PROP 1, I WAS RESEARCHING
THAT RECENTLY AND FOUND THAT THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION ON
THAT IS THAT IT IS PROBABLY NOT
CONSTITUTIONAL.
THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION CLEARLY
STATES THAT WE DON'T ALLOW
GAMBLING IN OUR STATE AND THAT
AMENDED IN 1992 TO ALLOW THREE
THINGS -- BINGO, THAT'S
IMPORTANT, AND THEN ALSO
PARAMUTUAL BETTING, AND THE
LOTTERY.
HE'S SAYING IT PROBABLY DOESN'T
MEET CONSTITUTIONALITY.
>> SO THAT'S A NO?
>> I DON'T THINK IT DOES ENOUGH
FOR SCHOOLS.
I THINK IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
>> MEDICAID?
>> ABSOLUTELY YES.
THAT HELPS IDAHO FAMILIES, AND
THAT HELPS IDAHO KIDS.
>> VERY BRIEFLY, SUPERINTENDENT
I BARRA.
>> I'M NOT WEIGHING IN ON
PROPOSITION 1 OR PROPOSITION 2.
IT IS THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO WHO
WILL MAKE THAT DECISION.
I WILL GO INTO THAT BOOTH AND
VOTE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DOES.
>> IT IS TIME FOR CLOSING
REMARKS.
MS. WILSON, YOU ARE UP FIRST.
>> THIS HAS BEEN SO WONDERFUL TO
BE HERE.
I'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO
BEING IN THE SAME ROOM WITH MS.
IBARRA, SO THANK YOU FOR SHOWING
UP TONIGHT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> AND THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS
OF THIS EVENT.
THE APPROACH THAT WE HAVE TAKEN
TO THIS CAMPAIGN IS VERY
TELLING.
FOR THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, I
HAVE TRAVELED THIS STATE FROM
BEAR LAKE OVER TO WEEZER.
I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO PARENTS,
TEACHERS, SUPERINTENDENTS,
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AND I'M
TELLING YOU TONIGHT WHAT I HEARD
FROM THEM IS NOT WHAT YOU'RE
HEARING FROM THE STATE
SUPERINTENDENT.
SHE IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH WHAT
IDAHO WANTS AND NEEDS.
SHE HAS DODGED MEETINGS,
LISTENED TO JUST A LIMITED
CIRCLE, NOT SOUGHT INPUT FROM
ALL CONCERNED WITH EDUCATION.
HER HANDS-OFF GO IT ALONE STYLE
IS TYPIFIED BY THE SCHOOL SAFETY
DEBACLE.
IN A CAN-DO STATE LIKE IDAHO,
THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE ACROSS
THIS STATE WHO HAVE GREAT IDEAS
AND THEY CAN MAKE OUR KIDS SAFE
AND IMPROVE THEIR EDUCATION.
WHY NOT REACH OUT TO THEM AND
LEARN HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
TO GET THE JOB DONE?
I'M THE ONE WHO CAN AND WILL DO
THAT, SO PLEASE DON'T POLITICIZE
THIS OFFICE.
SHOW UP FOR ME AT THE POLLS, AND
I PROMISE TO SHOW UP FOR YOU
WITH A PASSION AND AS A CHAMPION
FOR IDAHO CHILDREN.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SUPERINTENDENT IBARRA?
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TONIGHT FOR
LISTENING TO THIS ENTIRE DEBATE.
I CARE SO DEEPLY ABOUT IDAHO'S
OVER 00,000 STUDENTS AND THEIR
EDUCATORS.
DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARS, I
HAVE BUILT STRONG PARTNERSHIPS
WITH YOUR LOCAL DISTRICTS AND
BUILT GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH
THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS IN THIS
STATE THAT MAKE DECISIONS FOR
OUR STUDENTS.
TOGETHER WE'RE MAKING GREAT
STRIDES IN OUR PLAN TO IMPROVE
EDUCATION.
I'M STATE SUPERINTENDENT SHERRI
IBARRA, AND I HAVE THE STRONG
LEADERSHIP TEAM ALREADY IN
PLACE, THE EXPERIENCE OF A
PROVEN STATE LEADER, THE
EXPERTISE OF A LIFELONG
EDUCATOR, AND THE HEART OF A
MOTHER OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL
STUDENT.
AND I WOULD BE HONORED TO
CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE
CONSERVATIVE ADVOCATE FOR KIDS
IN OUR SCHOOLS.
IT WAS PRESIDENT LINCOLN WHO
SAID IT BEST.
WHY CHANGE HORSES IN MIDSTREAM?
OUR STUDENTS DESERVE AN
EXPERIENCED AND EFFECTIVE LEADER
WHO HAS PROVEN THAT THEY CAN GET
THE JOB DONE, AND I AM THAT
LEADER.
I'M STATE SUPERINTENDENT SHERRI
IBARRA, AND I HUMBLY ASK FOR
YOUR SUPPORT ON NOVEMBER 6th TO
CONTINUE AS IDAHO STATE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR
TONIGHT.
I WANT TO THANK OUR CANDIDATES,
SUPERINTENDENT SHERRI IBARRA,
AND CINDY WILSON AS WELL AS OUR
REPORTER PANEL, KEVIN RICHERT,
CLARK CORBIN, AND BETSY RUSSELL.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.
YOU CAN SEE OUR FULL DEBATE
SCHEDULE ON OUR WEBSITE, IDAHO
IDAHOPTV/ELECTIONS/2018.
YOU CAN STREAM ANY OF THE
DEBATES AFTER THEY HAVE AIRED ON
THAT SAME SITE.
THANKS AGAIN FOR WATCHING, AND
WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE POLLS.
>> THE IDAHO DEBATES ARE A
COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG THE
IDAHO PRESS CLUB, BOISE STATE
UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF PUBLIC
SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO'S
MCCLURE CENTER, IDAHO STATE
UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF
POLITICAL SCIENCE, THE LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS' VOTER EDUCATION
FUND, AND IDAHO PUBLIC
TELEVISION.
FUNDING FOR THE IDAHO DEBATES IS
PROVIDED BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION AND THE IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION ENDOWMENT.