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Governor Jerry Brown and his Republican challenger, Neel Kashkari, spent a few testy minutes in their debate last night talking about public education.

Their exchange largely focused on the recent decision by Brown, as a loser in Vergara vs. California, to appeal the ruling, which struck down laws protecting teacher employment rights.

Brown was asked why he did and answered this way: “I am appealing because the Constitution requires the Court of Appeals to invalidate the laws of California?

Kashkari suggested Brown made the wrong call:  “The judge got it right. This is one of the most important civil rights cases in years. Nine kids sued Governor Brown and said their civil rights are being violated by a failing school. You side with the union bosses. You should be ashamed of yourself. I’m going too fight for the kids.”

Brown: “That is so false.”

Kashkari: “It’s absolutely true.”

You can view clips here, and here.