BOISE, Idaho — KTVB hosted the candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tuesday for their final debate before election night on Nov. 8.
Republican nominee Debbie Critchfield faced off against Democrat Terry Gilbert live on KTVB Channel 7.
Tuesday's debate topics ranged from school choice, teacher retention, addressing students' mental health and Critical Race Theory.
When asked what the biggest challenge facing Idaho schools is, Gilbert said school vouchers.
"The parents should not ask the state to provide money for a religious school, should not ask the state to provide money for their own school," Gilbert said. "There is a reason we are a public school system."
Gilbert claimed Critchfield supports school vouchers - an allegation she denied.
“I have not gone on record saying that I support vouchers. I have consistently gone on record saying that I support school choice," Critchfield said. "I think one of the biggest efforts that we can have in Idaho is to recognize that Idaho is a school choice state already."
Both candidates know many Idaho educators are leaving the profession or teaching in other, higher-paying states. And they agree - the answer to fixing the staffing shortage - goes beyond increasing salaries.
“Pay is not a long-term motivator," Critchfield said. "I think when we look at the teacher shortage, we got to consider the overall value and respect of the profession."
Gilbert answered similarly.
"It’s a matter of respect," Gilbert said. "How are they treated by the legislature [and] by the general public.”
Tuesday's full debate is included below and can be seen on KTVB's YouTube channel:
All of Idaho’s statewide constitutional officers, both members of the U.S. House delegation, one U.S. Senator and the entire Idaho Legislature are up for election, or possible re-election, in the 2022 general election.
Also on the ballot around Idaho are most county offices and two questions: one is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the Idaho Legislature to call itself into a special session; the other is an advisory vote, asking if you approve of the legislation passed in the recent special session that took place in August. The questions, which will appear at the end of your ballot, are also detailed in the Idaho Voter’s Pamphlet.
If you have not voted since the May 17 primary, there’s a good chance your polling place has changed. Make sure to double check your information and registration status on the Idaho Secretary of State’s official voting information website. Congressional and legislative districts were also redrawn for this year’s elections, starting with the primary. The redistricting commission’s final report is posted here. View the congressional district map here, and to find your legislative district, click here for the legislative district look-up tool.
For all the information you need to know ahead of Nov. 8, check out KTVB's Voter Guide.
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