Record Highlights (Peninsula School District)
· Recognized as a Board of Distinction for five consecutive years
· Districtwide literacy reset: structured literacy training, Core Knowledge Language Arts, K–5 coaching
· Early results: English Language Arts well above the state average
· Restricted in-class cellphone/social-media use to improve student mental health and focus
· Expanded early learning: Transitional Kindergarten and outdoor “Barnehage” model
· More pathways: free College in the High School, Running Start (TCC), Aviation Academy, Performance Drone Team, Naval Junior ROTC, and skilled trades
· Safety & climate: comprehensive overhaul of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying policy
· National innovation in classroom technology award; U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools
· Fiscal stewardship: multiple new schools delivered on time and under budget
“David Olson has valuable experience as an 11-year member of Gig Harbor’s Peninsula School Board, where students post results well above average.”
Seattle Times Editorial Board 6/9/2024
About David
David Olson is a retired U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer, a father of four, and a 12-year Peninsula School Board director who believes public service is about steady leadership and clear results for students. Raised in a small town, he learned early the value of hard work, integrity, and community—principles that carried him through his 28-year military career and still guide his approach today.
David and his late wife, Tonia, built their life and family in the Peninsula School District. Together they raised four children—three are PSD graduates—while supporting local schools, youth programs, and community nonprofits. Tonia’s courage during her long battle with breast cancer remains a source of strength for their family and a reminder to lead with empathy.
A Proven Leader and Advocate
David enlisted in the U.S. Navy right out of high school. After training as an electrician, he became a Navy Diver—performing underwater welding and ship maintenance, experimental and saturation diving, and classified projects that tested his skill and resilience. Over 28 years, he rose to Chief Warrant Officer.
A Gig Harbor resident since 2005, David has a background in public-finance banking who has helped school districts, cities, and counties across Washington deliver critical projects on time and under budget.
A Community Servant
Elected to the Peninsula School District Board in 2013 and re-elected three times, David has served as President, Vice President, and the board’s Legislative Representative throughout his tenure. In 2015, he was elected to the Pierce County Charter Review Commission. His deep connection to his community drives his passion for making it the best place to live and raise a family. His extensive local involvement underscores his dedication to community and educational improvement.
David community work includes (past and present):
- Board Member and President, Greater Gig Harbor Foundation
- Board Member and President, City Club of Tacoma
- Board Member and Vice President, Hilltop Business Association
- Board Member, World Trade Center Tacoma
David’s Vision as State Representative
Vote against future tax increases, restore public safety, and overhaul our public school system.
Expanding Options for the Skilled Trades
"As someone who built a career as a Navy electrician, underwater welder, and Navy saturation diver, I’ve experienced firsthand the pride and purpose that come from mastering a skilled trade. It’s not just about earning a paycheck—it’s about building something tangible, something that lasts. That’s why I’m passionate about ensuring every student has the opportunity to pursue a fulfilling career in the trades, without feeling pressured by the outdated notion that college is the only path to success."
Across the nation, we’re facing a critical shortage of skilled workers. Reports show that the U.S. has a shortfall of over 7 million skilled tradespeople, a gap that continues to grow as the current workforce ages and fewer young people enter these fields. This isn’t just a problem—it’s an opportunity. By promoting skilled trades as a respected and viable career path, we can equip students with the practical skills and knowledge they need to thrive in high-demand, well-paying careers, all while avoiding the burden of student loan debt.
Offering pathways into the skilled trades isn’t just about filling jobs; it’s about restoring the value of hard work, craftsmanship, and the critical role these professions play in building and sustaining our communities. Olson's vision for Washington State’s education system includes preparing students for a future where they can achieve economic independence, job security, and personal fulfillment through careers in the skilled trades.
By investing in vocational training and removing the stigma around these careers, we can close the skills gap and create a workforce that is not only prepared for the challenges of tomorrow but is also proud of the work they do. Addressing this shortage is essential not only for the health of our economy but for the strength and resilience of our communities.
Achieving Financial Sustainability
David’s School District achieved financial sustainability without relying on one-time federal pandemic relief funds and delivered results.
" On financial prudence, too, Olson’s district was ahead of the pack, avoiding reliance on short-term federal aid during COVID to balance its budget. By contrast, many other districts used that money to pay for counselors and social workers. Now, with the funds set to run out next month, they are caught flat-footed: forced to lay off these aides at a moment of critical need or find another way to pay for them. " Seattle Times 8.11.24
“During the pandemic school shutdowns, when Olson was president of the board, the Peninsula School District worked with its teachers to open classrooms for special education kids early, confronting the extra damage that Zoom school was doing to these students. After all children returned, Olson and the Peninsula board instituted a ban on cellphones, addressing the powerful threat to learning posed by these devices.”
“Olson, a former Navy diver-turned-banker, also should be commended for emphasizing fiscal discipline. During the pandemic, Peninsula schools avoided using onetime funds from the federal government to cover ongoing financial obligations. In doing so, Peninsula sidestepped the cutoff now stranding districts with less acumen across the state. These approaches demonstrate leadership.”
Seattle Times, June 9th, 2024