Superintendent of Public Instruction Debate in Tucson

The debate takes place on Thursday, August 12, 2010, from 7 to 9 PM in the Little Theater of Rincon/University High at the intersection of Fifth Street and Swan Road.

All five candidates have agreed to participate:

· Margaret Garcia Dugan (Rep.), Current deputy superintendent of public instruction.

· John Huppenthal (Rep.) State Senator who chairs the Senate's Education Committee.

· Beth Price (Rep.) Retired administrator for Central Arizona College.

· Penny Kotterman (Dem.) Former teacher, and former President of the Arizona Education Association.

· Jason Williams (Dem.) Former Executive Director for local chapter of Teach for America and consultant for Roosevelt Elementary School.

Debate moderator is Jim Nintzel, Senior Writer at Tucson Weekly and panelist for Arizona Public Media's Friday Roundtable.

Each candidate will be asked three prepared questions in such areas as funding for K-12 education, charter schools and priorities and changes they believe are critical. 

Early voting begins July 29 and the primary is on August 24.  General election is November 2. 

The winner will replace Tom Horne, who is precluded by law from running again, but is running for State Attorney General. 

The superintendent of public instruction plays a critical role in the future of education in Arizona.  The position operates the state's 227 school districts and 500 charter schools, as well as running the state Department of Education.