Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Race: Jones vs. Luna
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I wanted to start a discussion thread of Idaho’s candidates for our State Controller. The two contenders are Tom Luna and Jana Jones. I would personally like to see discussion of their past experience, training, accomplishments, and mistakes rather than what their party philosophies are.
Luna’s campaign site is http://www.tomluna4idaho.com/. Jones’ campaign site is http://www.jana4education.com/. It appears neither candidate has a wikipedia entry yet.
I found an informative side-by-side comparison between Luna and Jones on her site: http://www.jana4education.com/Compare.php?PHPSESSID=38bbd7c14949498d217dee1c3d2015b4. The comparison really demonstrates visually how little Luna has to offer us compared to Jones.
One issue is that Luna’s only college degree was a bachelor’s in liberal arts (emphasis in measurement science). I like that he’s had positive experience with online instruction, which I believe Idaho needs to start deploying more. However, for Idaho’s top education position, do we want someone who knows so little about education (compared to Jones who has all three of her degrees in education)?
I notice Jones’ first two degrees are in special education. Anyone who knows anything about education knows that special education is the most challenging arena, and those candidates are viewed with much respect.
Luna’s big claim to educational fame is that he served for several months on a U.S. Department of Education task force, and sat in the same room with Laura Bush as they went around the country listening to local problems.
However, ridenbaugh.com has asked what exactly was Tom Luna doing for the USDE? Ridenbaugh alleges there is no information on what they did beyond conducting “listening sessions”, and what information does exist spotlights absolutely no accomplishments. So big deal if he sat in a room with Laura Bush a few times, if he did nothing noteworthy then Luna is fluffing up his experience. Do we want an educational leader or a fluffer?
Cearly Jones would be a fine Superintendent of Public Instruction for Idaho. The question really being asked is if Tom Luna is “good enough” for the position. Imagine a business choosing between two candidates where one is clearly qualified and the other has many questions of education and qualification. Which candidate would be hired?
The criteria in this race is objective and subjective, just like in the State Controller’s race. Objectively, Jones is clearly the better candidate. Subjectively, Luna is a Republican in a state that has elected morons like Anne Fox and Helen Chenoweth.
Much fuss has been raised about assuring objective standards with the No Child Left Behind Act. Do we want to select our educational leader objectively or subjectively?
Discuss away education or experience that you deem important, or their statements or mistakes you deem important.
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Comments
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0 Jana Jones blows Tom Luna out of the water when it comes to knowledge and experience. My biggest concern right now is that Tom Luna’s campaign is being pretty much paid for by Frank Vandersloot. As the election comes closer, you’ll hear and see a lot more about Tom Luna. No one can afford to spend the way that Vandersloot can, and I’m afraid that people will vote for Luna based on name recognition. Please make sure that you’re helping to inform your friends and neighbors of the issues and concerns. Jana’s resume speaks for itself.
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0 0 I’m affraid that Tom Luna, IF he is elected, will push for charter schools and tax breaks/vouchers for parents who can afford to enroll their kids in such schools. I see a plan here with the republicans involved, a way to make money off the tax payers, looks like all the right players for that scenerio are in place and pushing for their candidate. Anonymous has a good point about Mr. “I’m Rich Do as I preach” Vandersloot”. Maybe Frank can sell his Wellness Products through out the school system?. He’s trying to buy a District Judge so why not the State Superintendent. Side Note: Darren Simpson has lost my support by the way. If Vandersloot thinks Luna is best qualified after looking at his qualifications and education, makes me question Vandersloot’s business Management, Oh Wait the Amway Business Model handled that. I read on a Boise news website that our Temorary Governor wants $37 million in “HIS” next budget for 2 Nursing facilities at Lewis & Clark and CSI, why isn’t Luna and Clem Otter pushing for that?, maybe Risch was hurt for being “Diss’ed” by the new Miss Idaho and had to get some poli points in before the election?.
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0 0 I am a pretty hardcore Democrat, but I find it irresponsible for me as a Democrat, and as a voter, to support candidates who are simply not qualfied to run for that particular office, even if they are a Democrat.
I refuse to vote for candidates, Democrats included, who aren’t qualified. If only Frank Vandersloot felt the same way about this race. He is apparently supporting the Democrat, Jackie Groves Twilegar, who is running for Controller.
Hey Frank, doesn’t it bother you that Tom Luna isn’t even qualified to work as a teacher in the State of Idaho?
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0 0 He isn’t qualified, therefore, don’t vote for Luna.
It’s as simple as that.
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0 0 For all I hear about Luna being more creative than Jones and that he won’t simply ask for more money (which apparently irritates Jack Barraclough), it was interesting to read the Q&A on Luna in yesterday’s paper.
Under “Luna has proposed”, all three points indicate Luna will ask for more money and more government! First he proposes a $500 per year tax credit for teacher to pay for classroom supplies and $5 million annually to pay for supplies. I agree with the idea, but isn’t this just asking for more money? I thought he was so creative he wouldn’t need more money?
The second bullet point was vague in saying “find ways to attract teachers, improve technology, reduce dropout rates and provide AP courses.” I would love to hear specifically how he will do these thing without more money. Don’t get me wrong, I think they’re great ideas. I just think he’s been selling himself in one manner and is revealing himself in another.
The third bullet point was to create a new division in the education department “to foster innovation and school choices”. Wow, Luna is proposing more government.
He complains that our current system is not working, yet he proposes more bureaucracy. That does not sound like creative thinking to me, it sounds like Luna is more liberal than he wants to admit.
From Luna’s Q&A, his response to the first question signals that he intends to maintain the status quo on high school achievement (giving emphasis to seminary over more rigorous math and science).
His answer to question three was quite ironic, where he slams on Jones for taking a trip to Ireland for an educational conference.
Luna has still not answered why USDE bureaucrats should have used our tax dollars on numerous national trips that resulted in nothing. He has still not answered what he actually did as a result of those ‘listening sessions’.
I think Luna’s qualifications are about equal to Donna Jones for controller, meaning he would be an embarrassment to Idaho education if elected as superintendent.
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0 0 Exactly Joe. He won’t support Prop 1 but he has all of these grand ideas which are incredibly expensive. I think it shows just how out of touch with reality he is.
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0 0 Well guess who won guys?!?!
Boooyaaaa
Thanks Frank - you helped elect the right guy, Tom Luna!!
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0 0 I agree with Cam, all you uninformed cry babys need to wipe your tears, and volenteer to go help jana clean out her desk!!!! Tommy is taking over!!!!!
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0 0 And that’s what’s wrong with you “Luna”tics. He is getting ready to aasume the highest educational office in the state and you treat it like it’s a war and you’re doing a hostile takeover. Grow up.
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0 0 It is terribly sad that Tom Luna supporters don’t show Jana Jones the respect she deserves. She has dedicated her entire career towards the betterment of education. Tom Luna has not. Even if you didn’t vote for Jana Jones, show some support to her and education and exhibit some class which is clearly missing from your candidate of choice and your words.
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0 0 All you Jana supporters spent the whole campaign calling Tom names and acting very childish, i mean come on “luna’tic”??? You cant all the sudden turn around and say the Luna supporters have no class.
“Tom Luna isn’t even remotely qualified to run for office”
“Do we want to take this risk and elect an unproven commodity”
Who started the “un-classy” bashing. Let the Luna supporters enjoy their victory, the class will come when Tom Luna turns the schools of Idaho into ones looked up to by all other states. I have a feeling your views on Tom will change over the next few years, and you can celebrate with us in four years when we win again.
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0 0 I sincerely hope you are right, Sara.
I don’t think you are right, but I hope you are. It’s a nice future for Idaho’s schools.
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Vote:
Tom Luna isn’t even remotely qualified to run for office and one of the primary responsibilities of being State Superintendent is being an advocate for public schools. How can one properly advocate for something one knows very little about?
Jana Jones has worked as both a teacher and administrator, both on the front lines of education and behind the scenes.
We need a Superintendent with the breadth of knowledge, education, and experience Jana Jones offers. Tom Luna has very little experience and would head the State Department of Education where nearly all, or very possibly all, would be more qualified than he is and I think this would create significant personnel issues.
Do we want to take this risk and elect an unproven commodity who hasn’t shown the dedication that Jana Jones has? Or do we want to elect a proven commodity who has dedicated 35 years of her career to education and would employ a level of knowledge and expertise no Superintendent in the history of this position has had at their disposal.
Yeah, I am voting for Jana Jones. To do otherwise is a risky and dangerous endeavor and I don’t want the children of Idaho exposed to that.