State Department of Education

Educators ask Jones, Ybarra tough questions

Candidates weigh in on Common Core and teacher licensure during a rapid-fire forum.

After three joint appearances last week, what big questions remain unanswered?

Jana Jones says Idaho should explore an Internet sales tax; Sherri Ybarra defers to lawmakers on tax issues.

Jones and Ybarra meet again Friday in Boise.

The two candidates for state superintendent of public instruction often had similar answers, but highlighted differences in their backgrounds.

Both superintendent’s candidates say the complex licensing issue needs to be scrutinized.

In an interview with The Times-News, Republican Tom Luna suggests the state superintendent’s race is Democrat Jana Jones’ to lose.

Tom Luna awarded $151,000 in staff “retention bonuses,” but about one-fifth of the money went to former staffers.

All State Department of Education directors were given up to $10,000, while other employees earned extra money for performance.

The GOP candidate has removed language that mirrored wording on Democratic candidate Jana Jones’ site.