Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Voter Guide

Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz Arizona taxpayers deserve to know where their tax dollars are going. As Superintendent, I’ll freeze the auto-approval of ESA purchases under $2,000 that have cost taxpayers over half a billion dollars. I’ll create a transparency dashboard for ESA purchases, and I’ll advocate for commonsense guardrails to protect taxpayer dollars. Additionally, as the only teacher in this race, I plan to address Arizona’s teacher crisis by restoring respect to the position. While my opponent spreads debunked conspiracy theories about our educators, I’ll fight for increased teacher pay and respect from the top down. I’ll partner with community colleges and universities to create teacher pipelines and mentorship programs to ensure our educators have the support they need. Finally, I’ll serve as the advocate-in-chief for public education. I’ll work with our school districts on a case-by-case basis, expand school offerings and CTE programs, and grant our schools the materials and dignity they deserve.

Kimberly Yee Paste response here.

Dr. Stephen Neal Jr. I believes Arizona’s future depends on putting students, educators, families and communities at the center of a collaborative education system. We must raise student achievement through clear, measurable benchmarks in reading, writing, math, and science (age-appropriate); use data to identify needs early; and provide targeted support so every student can succeed.

Every student deserves meaningful opportunity, regardless of background or educational pathway. We must strengthen special education, expand options, and remove barriers so circumstances never determine a child’s potential.

Great schools also depend on great educators. We must recruit and retain talented teachers by reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, investing in professional development, improving compensation, and giving educators a meaningful voice in policy. By listening, partnering, and working together, we can build schools where students thrive, educators are valued, and families have confidence in Arizona’s future.

Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz At a time when Arizona families are struggling to put food on the table and fill their tanks, taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize a millionaire’s education. While schools across the state shut down, ESA purchases are being used for diamond rings and lingerie. Public dollars demand public accountability. Across the country, even more conservative states have implemented guardrails to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected. In 2018, Arizona voters shot down universal expansion of the ESA program two-to-one. It’s time to protect taxpayer dollars and rein in spending that is not used for direct educational expenses.

Kimberly Yee Paste response here.

Dr. Stephen Neal Jr. Every parent deserves the power to choose the educational environment that nurtures their child's potential. Arizona’s existing laws governing ESAs must be enforced consistently and firmly. Specifically, Arizona Revised Statutes § 15-2402(B)(3) clearly states that, to enroll a student in the ESA program, a parent must sign an agreement not to accept a scholarship from a School Tuition Organization (STO) during the same school contract year. This ensures adequate funding and resources for oversight, accountability, and compliance. I also support and advocate for Arizona’s public schools by providing the necessary funding and resources so our students can thrive in an educational system that promotes a successful future, rather than one that produces compliant factory workers or feeds into a pipeline system. My commitment is to safeguard educational choice for all while fostering accountability and empowering our public education system as set forth by legislation.

Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz In order to successfully prepare students for the future in the evolving global economy, we have a responsibility to ensure that our students are learning curriculum, skills, and qualities necessary to succeed. As such, public and charter schools are held accountable for real results. Public dollars demand public accountability — and if private schools are receiving hard-earned taxpayer dollars, it is our responsibility to ensure that their funding is being used to adequately prepare students for success.

Kimberly Yee Paste Kimberly Yee's response

Dr. Stephen Neal Jr. I believes public funding demands clear, transparent academic standards and meaningful accountability for private schools participating in Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs). But effective policy should be built with stakeholders, not imposed on them. I advocates bringing state leaders, private school representatives, educators, families, and communities together to develop standards that protect taxpayer investment while respecting the unique missions and expertise of private education.

This collaborative approach will strengthen educational quality without undermining parental choice or school autonomy. Every ESA student deserves access to a quality education guided by reasonable, transparent expectations. By listening, partnering, and finding common ground, I will build an education system that balances accountability with innovation, respects diverse educational pathways, and puts student opportunity first.