Campaign Statement
Strong Leadership, Strong Students, Strong Idaho
YouTube Video
Campaign Email
debbie4idaho@debbie.com
Office Sought
Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction
I was a substitute teacher for 6 years. I served as an elected board member for the Cassia County School District for 10 years, five as chair of the Board. I served on Idaho's State Board of Education for 7 years prior to running for State Superintendent, two as President. I co-chaired Governor Little's Education Task Force in 2018 and served on Governor Otter's Higher Education Task force in 2014. I chaired Governor Little's "Re-open Idaho Schools" in 2020 and the Education K-12 Council. I have served on many state and local committees and boards since 2001, including the Idaho School Board association's executive board. Most recently, I have been serving as the elected State Superintendent since 2023.
I will continue my focus on getting back to basics in education. Literacy and math in our early grades and preparation for life and career in our older grades. I have been a champion for a return to phonics in our classrooms and we are seeing the results of that leadership in our performance. For our junior high/high school students, I have championed skills and project based learning. With my Idaho Career Ready Students Grant, I have expanded or newly created 170 career and technical programs all over the state. This has provided an interesting and relevant school experience for so many students. I will build upon this while leading on teacher retention, student safety, funding modernization and an overall confidence in a public education.
We must address the funding mechanism of public education. We need a formula that is simple, stable and flexible. The current formula is decades old and misaligned to the needs of the 21st century classroom. We are funding from a formula that doesn't reflect today's students or school operations. We see the evidence of this by the fact that nearly all schools must look to their local taxpayers to supplement costs for special education, books, and facility repairs. This overhaul must be done thoughtfully and responsibly. With twenty five years of expericence in policy and budget setting, along with the relationships I have built around the state, I am the educational leader to bring about this critical change.
In three years, we have seen tremendous progress in the areas that matter to kids, their families and our communities. We have the highest grad rate in ten years, the highest reading scores since 2007, nationally ranked for reading and math in 4th and 8th grades. We are number one in the country for students who take dual credit and career tech classes. Our students are performing, learning and going on to success outside of our classrooms. These things don't happen by accident! It's been intentional leadership and a priority to restore the value of a public education. I will continue to lead with honesty, wise solutions and an unwavering work ethic. I love this state and will serve with integrity as we invest in our future: Idaho's kids.
Campaign Statement
As a 25+ year educator, classroom teacher, instructional leader, and strong advocate for Idaho’s public schools, this candidate for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction brings deep experience, practical solutions, and a steadfast commitment to students, families, and educators across the state.
Campaign Phone
(208)615-5270
Campaign Email
becky4idaho@gmail.com
Phone
(208)936-1697
Office Sought
Superintendent of Public Instruction
With more than 25 years in education and as the 2018 Idaho Teacher of the Year, I have served as a classroom teacher, instructional leader, and advocate for public schools across Idaho. My career has given me firsthand experience with the challenges teachers and students face every day—from managing classrooms and improving student outcomes to supporting educators through data-driven instruction and professional development. I have worked both in traditional and innovative education settings, including online learning environments. This combination of practical classroom experience and leadership has equipped me to make informed, student-centered decisions at the state level.
If elected, I will focus on strengthening Idaho’s public schools so that every student—regardless of zip code—has access to a high-quality education. My priorities include increasing support and respect for educators, improving student outcomes through evidence-based practices instead of the political agendas, and ensuring responsible, transparent use of education funding. I also want to expand career and technical education pathways, strengthen early literacy, and better prepare students for both college and the workforce. This means working with lawmakers but also remaining a fierce advocate for equitable public education. Above all, I will ensure that public education remains a strong, accountable system that serves all Idaho families.
One of the most significant challenges is maintaining a strong, well-funded public education system while ensuring accountability and equity. Idaho faces ongoing teacher shortages, disparities in resources between rural and urban districts, and increasing pressure to divert public funds without clear accountability measures. Additionally, the needs for improved literacy and career readiness remain critical issues. In this role, I will work to address these challenges by advocating for smart investments in public education, supporting educators, and implementing policies that prioritize education over politics. This includes better communication with the public, so they feel informed and assured of student success and transparency.
Generations of students, their parents, and colleagues would tell you that I will listen to educators, families, and communities across the state and work collaboratively to move Idaho education forward. I will also seek to preserve what has made our schools great: preparing every student for a meaningful career, lifelong learning, and engaged citizenship. I'm a candidate who believes in practical solutions over politics, rooted in the classroom, and ready to champion public schools. They are the foundation of our future, and I am ready to lead with experience, integrity, and a deep commitment to every student in Idaho.
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