Who should run Arizona’s schools? The fight over vouchers, spending, and who can manage public money

Arizona’s superintendent race is heating up between two Republicans locked in a public battle over school money. At the center is a voucher program meant to help families pay for private education. An audit last spring found the program’s overseer couldn’t track over half a billion dollars spent in two years. One candidate points to mismanagement; the other says the law itself makes good oversight nearly impossible. Parents have used voucher funds in surprising ways—think trips abroad, pianos, or jewelry. The state’s treasurer once called for stronger rules, saying the superintendent shouldn’t unilaterally decide what’s appropriate. But recent remarks show she may have supported a less strict approach before running for office. Now she claims mismanagement by the current superintendent is the real issue. Meanwhile, the superintendent argues the legislature didn’t give him the tools to handle the program’s explosive growth, from 12, 000 to 100, 000 students.Money is another flashpoint. Arizona ranks near the bottom in school spending per student. Yet test scores aren’t last—they’re close to the national average, better than states with far higher funding. Dropout rates and public school enrollment are moving in opposite directions, with more families choosing alternatives. One candidate blames underfunded schools; the other says families are leaving because of dissatisfaction. Reading instruction has become a surprising debate. One candidate wants more phonics—a method already required by law. The other dismisses the idea as outdated, accusing the challenger of not understanding current school practices. Neither side says much about a voter-backed plan to cut off vouchers for wealthy families. The primary winner will face Democrats who want to shrink the voucher program. Until then, voters must decide who can best handle cash, control, and oversight.