Washington OSPI debate

With school districts across Washington, including those in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and Marysville, facing significant budget shortfalls, the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is critical for Washington this November. Nowhere is that clearer than in Seattle, where the district plans to close up to 20 schools in 2025-26 to address a $94 million budget deficit.

‘A staple of our democratic process

To help voters understand the candidates and their positions, the Seattle Club’s Washington State Debate Coalition is hosting a September 26 televised debate between the two OSPI candidates on the ballot. The event will give voters a chance to see where the candidates, incumbent Chris Reykdal and his opponent David Olson, stand on the challenges facing public schools.

“Candidate debates have long been a staple of our democratic process in that they enable voters to hear directly from those seeking public office while providing opportunity for discussion and rebuttal on key public policy issues,” said Seattle CityClub Executive Director Alicia Crank in a release of debate dates.

Chris Reykdal: The incumbent

Reykdal is a former teacher endorsed by the statewide teachers’ union. He served three terms in the Legislature before taking his seat in the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Reykdal has also worked as a public school teacher and spent 14 years in the leadership of a state board for community and technical colleges.

Reykdal’s priorities include:

Making early a universal basic education right.
Ensuring that every student who wants or needs breakfast or lunch gets it at no cost to the student or their family
Securing more funding for dual language schools
Obtaining funding for facilities to expand career and technical education opportunities.
Keeping students safe from gun violence.
Pushing the Legislature to fully fund schools and compensate public educators, including teachers, para-educators, bus drivers, food service workers, principals, professional support staff, and all positions.
Expanding dual credit programs like Running Start, College in the High School, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and others to empower students to work for college credit in high school.
Ensuring that Washington State’s taxpayers are in control of Washington State’s education system

David Olson: The challenger

David Olson is vice president of the Peninsula School District board, on which he has served since 2013, previously as board president. Washington State Republicans endorse Olson, and he has worked in government banking for Washington cities and counties. He also served in the Navy.

Olson says he hopes to expand some of his district’s successes, including mental health support for students, to all districts.

Olson’s priorities include:

Providing essential resources to close the achievement gap by focusing on targeted academic interventions and improved teaching practices.
Reforming outdated funding models to allocate resources where they are needed most – especially fully funding special education. Olson says he will advocate for equitable funding for special education statewide.
Providing mental health support for students by expanding mental health resources, including psychologists and counselors, and partnerships with local organizations and parents to provide comprehensive support.
Ensuring parents are informed and involved in decision-making processes.
Empowering school boards to make community-focused decisions that reflect their community’s values.