There is room for improvement in Chris Reykdal’s performance as state superintendent of public instruction. Washington schools need strong advocacy in seeking better student outcomes and in pushing the Legislature for a more efficient funding model.
Given Reykdal’s background as a teacher, school board member and legislator, we trust he can provide that leadership. Equally important, he is the superior candidate in the race. The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends that Reykdal be reelected for a third term as the state’s superintendent.
As always, this is a recommendation, designed to provide information. The Columbian trusts that voters will study the issues before casting an informed vote.
It is in examining challenger David Olson — a board member of the Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor — that voters will find Reykdal to be the only viable choice.
At the Washington Republican Party convention, Olson boasted that he led “the first school board in the state to ban controversial social issues like critical race theory, DEI and all that horrible stuff.” He said that if every high school graduate opted for the skilled trades, universities “could all go bankrupt.”
Olson won the endorsement of the state Republican Party and the Clark County Republican Party.
During an interview with the Editorial Board, Olson said the comments were jokes. But they are disqualifying for somebody who desires to lead public education in the state. If Olson panders to anti-education sentiments in pursuit of endorsement, how trustworthy will he be in dealing with educators and lawmakers while advocating for students? If he has an enmity toward inclusive education, how sincerely will he work to fix what ails Washington education?
On the other hand, there are no questions about Reykdal’s passion for public education and his desire to improve outcomes for Washington students. He says he knew from a young age that he wanted to work in public education “because that is where I felt safe.” He was the first member of his family to attend college and he earned a master’s degree in public administration.
Reykdal has worked as a teacher and has served as a school board member and a legislator. “I’ve touched the system on every level,” he told the Editorial Board, and that broad experience makes him well-qualified to meet student needs and work with lawmakers.
Pointedly, he writes on his campaign website, “Public education both in our state and nationally is now being targeted by extremists who attack the diversity of our children, attack our highly trained and professional educators, and they cravenly promote lies to destabilize the confidence in public education in their attempt to drive taxpayer dollars to prop up their religious and for-profit schools.”
With disappointing test scores, increased absenteeism and a flawed funding model, there is need for improvement in Washington schools. Leadership in pursuit of that improvement is preferable to undermining the system from within.
The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for Chris Reykdal as superintendent of public instruction.
