With Democrats in control, Teresa Leyba Ruiz sees an opening to put public schools first

Arizona’s next superintendent of public instruction hopes a newly Democratic-controlled state Legislature will help her turn promises to prioritize public education into action.

“This is really a great time for Arizona because public education must be prioritized, and we have the leaders in place to ensure that this happens,” Teresa Leyba Ruiz told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday.

Democrats won control of both legislative chambers in this year’s election. With Gov. Katie Hobbs also winning reelection, the party will control the Legislature and governor’s office for the first time since 1966. Ruiz was a part of the blue wave, defeating Republican Kimberly Yee.

Ruiz argued that Arizona’s public schools have suffered from decades of inadequate funding and misplaced priorities. She also said she isn’t intimidated by Arizona’s low national ranking in terms of public education.

“Look, I have never backed down from a challenge or an opportunity and that’s how I see this. Arizona deserves better. Our children deserve better. And luckily, there’s a Legislature that’s coming in that also is pro-public education,” Ruiz said.

Should Arizona’s school voucher spending get a closer look?

Ruiz also said families want more oversight of the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program.

“They want to know that their hard-earned taxpayer dollars, if we’re going to have the ESA program, are actually going to support educational needs,” Ruiz said. “Nobody in Arizona wants to pay for somebody’s vacation.”

Ruiz said media reports of ESA funds being misused for items such as jewelry, appliances and lingerie should be fully investigated.

“No one’s looking at the full data set, and that’s why we need to have a complete third-party audit to fully understand what has been happening over the last three years,” Ruiz said. “We need to get in and look at the whole system and understand what’s being requested, why it’s being requested and the learning opportunities surrounding that purchase.”

She said one of the many steps she can take is to look at the auto-approval process for any voucher expense under $2,000.

‘This is a victory for all of Arizona,’ Teresa Leyba Ruiz says of her election win

Ruiz, a longtime math teacher and former Glendale Community College president, will become Arizona’s first Latina superintendent of public instruction and has described herself as only the third educator elected to the office.

“This is a victory for all of Arizona to have an educator leading Department of Education,” Ruiz said.

She urged those who want to know more about her action plan to go to her website.

“You’ll find a fully comprehensive, eight-pillar plan including the things we’d like to accomplish in the first 100 days,” Ruiz said. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity to … really start to change the culture and the tone around respect and admiration for our educators who’ve chosen this noble profession to educate our children.”

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