In their closing comments:

Jana Jones, Democratic candidate for state schools superintendent, said, “It’s been a great evening, and hopefully you understand the differences between the two of us.” She said. “The office shouldn’t be about politics and partisanship, it should be about doing what’s best for Idaho’s kids. And what I want for our kids is simple: I want safe schools, highly qualified teachers, modern up-to-date classrooms with technology that supports our teachers and our kids, and strong, rigorous stands that help prepare our kids for the future of their choice. My opponent said that she will carry forward Tom Luna’s agenda and walk side by side with the Legislature that has led our schools to the race to the bottom. I believe there’s a better way. It’s time to end the era of the one-size-fits-all top-down approach to educating our kids. My pledge to you is to return local control to our school boards, to our superintendents and our teachers, and to be the kind of superintendent that is inclusive and that will listen, and most importantly, provide leadership you can trust.”

Sherri Ybarra, the Republican candidate, said, “It was my pleasure to talk about one of my most favorite subjects which happen to be education. You really do have a stark difference in choices of candidates for this position. I am a conservative leader with a vision for the future. My opponent has the old tax and spend mentality. I have proven that my vision for Idaho works and that I will be a tireless advocate for our more than 250,000 students in grades K-12. I have a focus on maintaining what our kids need. I have been on the front lines with my sleeves rolled up earning the very respect of the team that I’m going to need to lead forward in education. And I think about our students, and how they deserve a state superintendent of public instruction who has been there for nearly 20 years on the front line, who has not taken a break from education, who has not been working in a business world and making those accusations about our current leader and doing the exact same thing.  I have a focus on our students, I will always maintain a focus on our students.” She then repeated, “I am a conservative leader with a vision for the future.”