Where They Stand…

From school construction to creationism, Idahoans need to know where the six candidates for state schools superintendent stand on the issues.

The Idaho Spokesman-Review has surveyed the four Republicans and two Democrats on a series of key issues. Today, on Page A8, we present their responses so you can read and compare.

Complete resumes and letters of application from the six candidates ran May 3, and a series of profiles of all the candidates ran over the past week. You can review them at the newspaper’s Internet site, www.spokane.net.

The state superintendent’s race is hotly con tested in both primaries. The two winners will face off in November for the chance to lead Idaho’s public schools into the next century.

The primary election is Tuesday.

The issues

Should Idaho change its method of funding school buildings, and if so, how?

What is your position on tuition tax credits for families whose children are in private or home schools?

What is your position on teaching creationism in public schools?

What balance would you seek between vocational and college-prep classes?

What change is most needed to improve public education in Idaho?

The candidates

RON BLACK

Funding school buildings: I believe that we do need help from the state level, and will make it a priority to establish a program within the public school budget to match the efforts provided by local school districts in the repair and construction of school facilities.

Tuition tax credits: As a legislator I support tuition tax credits, however, I do not believe that the state superintendent of public instruction should be pushing the issue. As superintendent I would be working to make the public schools the school of choice, the best they can be.

Teaching creationism: Evolution is a theory and is taught in public schools. I see no problem with a school district deciding to include creationism in their curriculum. That is a local decision to be made by local boards working with parents, the state should not be involved.

Balance between vocational and college-prep: My greatest fear is that in the rush to train children for work, we will sacrifice strong academic standards that prepare all students for their future. I will work for, and insist on, adoption of strong academic exiting standards for every student.

Improved public education: Establishing a comprehensive reading program starting in kindergarten that includes intensive phonics, remedial identification and an accelerated reader program as part of an overhaul of our educational system. It also involves setting grade by grade minimum academic exiting standards.

ANNE FOX

Funding school buildings: Funding for maintenance and construction of new facilities has become a critical issue in many school districts. I support shifting some of the burden off the property tax and onto the sales tax, and more progressive (yet safe) investment strategies for the Endowment Fund to increase our income.

Tuition tax credits: I support tuition tax credits. Over the past 30 years Idaho has lost two-thirds of the private schools established in that time frame, mainly because the schools couldn’t be maintained financially. Private schools relieve some of the burden on public education.

Teaching creationism: Idaho Code and the U.S. Constitution prohibit the teaching of sectarian doctrines in the public schools. However, instruction about creationism as a general concept need not be sectarian. I would like to see a more balanced approach to teaching the origins of mankind and intelligent design.

Balance between vocational and college-prep: I support vocational opportunities that provide information on a variety of occupations. The public schools should address the needs of all students, not just those who are college bound. Equally, academic rigor in traditional core subject areas must continue to be a high priority for all students.

Improve public education: In addition to facilities funding, teaching is always a critical area. I would like to see the state find ways to reward and retain our best teachers. I am working to strengthen the skills of new teachers, and emphasize the need for teaching basic academic skills.

WALLY HENDRICK

Funding school buildings: Yes. I strongly support the effort to maximize the return on state endowment investments in order to generate new dollars at the state level to match local money for new construction and repair of facilities.

Tuition tax credits: While I support the rights of parents to educate their children where they choose, I do NOT support tuition tax credits when they decide to opt out of public schools. Tuition tax credits represent poor public policy and take badly needed funds from education.

Teaching creationism: The best education decisions are those made closest to our children. This is a “local control” issue that should be decided by local school boards with input from parents, patrons, educators and the business community.

Balance between vocational and college-prep: Our young people must be adequately prepared for whatever direction they select in life, whether that is college or a professional technical career. School districts must provide the opportunity for all students based on the students needs.

Improve public education: Smaller class sizes, more parental participation, more rigorous reading and writing curriculum, more problem solving, more critical thinking and a strong partnership among educators, parents and the business community.

MARILYN HOWARD

Funding school buildings: Our current system doesn’t allow us to meet our building needs. Many schools are dangerous or inadequate. It is time for the Legislature to consider a multi-faceted approach that would allow the costs of facilities to be shared more fairly.

Tuition tax credits: The Legislature should fight all efforts that allow private interests to undermine our constitutional commitment to a strong public education system open to all. Tax credits and vouchers adversely affect financial support for public education.

Teaching creationism: The creation stories of many cultures and/or religions of the world could be taught as part of a comparative religion/philosophy class.

Balance between vocational and college-prep: Vocational and college preparation both require academic knowledge and excellence in basic skills. Career success is based upon attitude and willingness to work as well as ability. Strong academic preparation for all students makes many career choices possible.

Improve public education: Clarity of purpose that has broad-based acceptance is needed. The high ideal of what we want education to be, will allow us to allocate the resources and advocate for the changes that will improve public education in Idaho.

RYAN KERBY

Funding school buildings: Yes. Idaho should change from the supermajority of two-thirds down to 60 percent for passage of bonds to build schools. I support Senator Kempthorne’s idea of taking this idea to the voters. The state should provide some matching funds. I favor using additional endowment earnings.

Tuition tax credits Oppose. Good elementary and secondary schools in America, public or private, are the way they are because of a cooperative effort between fine educators and highly motivated parents. Some of these parents will take their children out of public schools as soon as tax credits become available. Public schools will suffer.

Teaching creationism: If a teacher is talking about the beginning of the universe, the world, life, or mankind, I feel equal time should be allowed for evolution and creation. Neither position should be shoved down a students throat, and students who hold either position should not be made to feel inferior.

Balance between vocational and college-prep: Schools in Idaho need to offer their students a broad range of both vocational courses and college-prep classes. The role of public education is to get kids ready for the future, whether that is college, post-secondary vo-tech training, the world of work, or other roads they may choose to travel.

Improve public education: Cooperation between the various groups with a vested interest in the success of our system of common schools. At the present time there is friction and fragmentation. We need to select a state superintendent in 1998 who has a collaborative leadership style.

TOM MORLEY

Funding school buildings: I will support Senator Kempthorne’s proposal that we directly ask the voters if they are willing to change the constitution and reduce the supermajority to a 60 percent approval rate. Consolidated election dates would lend greater fairness to change.

Tuition tax credits: I do not support tuition tax credits. I fear the financial impact on public schools and I fear the regulation that will be imposed on private and home schools if these tax credits are judged as tax dollars.

Teaching creationism: I personally subscribe to a belief in the creation account, but I can’t see a way to teach this subject without giving equal time to all religious and secular beliefs. Instead, I like evolution treated as a theory, not fact.

Balance between vocational and college-prep: I wrote the legislation this past session to provide individual school districts a means to expand professional-technical skills centers. We need to strike a better balance between traditional academics and skills training. Schools need to adapt to today’s workplace.

Improve public education: We need to move beyond conflict, stop passing the buck, and commit ourselves to forging solutions. This requires credible leadership. We must focus attention on insuring that all children master the basics. We must also expand our professional-technical offerings.

Graphic: Where they stand