© 2024 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Click here for information on transmitter status in the Treasure and Magic Valleys
00000176-d8fc-dce8-adff-faff72a50000The 2014 midterm election is a big year in Idaho.Each of the state's top offices are on the ballot; governor, secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction, attorney general, and treasurer. Plus, all 105 legislative seats are up for grabs (although, not all of those seats are contested).One of Idaho's U.S. Senate seats is on the ballot, plus both House of Representatives seats.Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, a Republican, is running for a rare third term. The last Idaho governor to get a third term was Democrat Cecil Andrus, who held the office for 14 years.Polls are open Nov. 4, 2014 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Click here to find your polling place, and learn more about what you need to bring to the polls.Plus, find NPR's election-night live-blog, here.

Jones-Ybarra Education Debate Highlights Differences School Spending

Idaho Public Television

The two candidates vying for the job of Idaho's Superintendent of Public Instruction faced off Tuesday night in a debate sponsored by Idaho Public Television. 

Republican Sherri Ybarra and Democrat Jana Jones are competing to replace Tom Luna, who's stepping down at the end of his current term. 

Ybarra was asked about her top budget priorities. She said it's not right that schools have to have four day weeks, don't have supplies, and have class sizes that are too large. But she said it's not the job of the state superintendent to set funding levels, that's strictly the job of the Legislature.  

"I am going to be the thorough state superintendent who does not ask for more until she understands that every single dollar has been stretched to the max," she said. "Do I think we're spread dangerously thin? Probably. But as long as I know that everything in that budget gives control to the school districts, I know that every dollar has been stretched, will I then discuss with the legislators any sort of increase in funding."

Jones told viewers schools don't have adequate resources to meet their needs.

"We have over 40 districts that have gone to four day school weeks," she said. "They don't have up-to-date textbooks. They have technology without the bandwidth to use technology. Those are the things that districts are telling me over and over again, that our resources just are not there."

Jones added that it is the job of the state superintendent to prepare a public schools budget and present it to the Idaho Legislature.

Follow Samantha Wright on Twitter @SamWrightRadio

Copyright 2014 Boise State Public Radio

As Senior Producer of our live daily talk show Idaho Matters, I’m able to indulge my love of storytelling and share all kinds of information (I was probably a Town Crier in a past life). My career has allowed me to learn something new everyday and to share that knowledge with all my friends on the radio.

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.