Bridget Dowd/KJZZ

Tom Horne gives a speech during the inauguration ceremony at the Arizona Capitol on Jan. 5, 2023.

Republican Tom Horne was sworn into his new role as Arizona superintendent of public instruction this week.

He was the first of several newly elected officials to take the oath of office during Thursday’s inauguration ceremony at the state Capitol. During his speech, he said, “We need a return to traditional discipline in our schools.”

“When a student misbehaves and there’s no consequence, other students learn they can also misbehave. The situation gets out of hand and teachers, understandably, don’t want to teach under those conditions," he said. 

Department of Education spokesperson Doug Nick told KJZZ News that Horne defines “traditional discipline” as consequences of bad behavior like time out, being sent to the principal’s office and suspension. He said it does not include corporal punishment. 

"The point is to not allow disruptive classroom behavior that interrupts the learning process," Nick said.

Horne said there will be a discipline initiative that aims to holds schools accountable for keeping "orderly classrooms." 

He's also been criticized for choosing Mila Makal to develop character education curriculum. Makal often posts far-right and sexist content on social media.