Seattle Times Editorial Board 6/9/2024
David Olson, a retired naval officer, and respected veteran of the Peninsula School Board for over a decade, is now running for Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) with a fervent determination to overhaul our public education system that has floundered under Chris Reykdal and has failed Washington’s children.
Olson‘s extensive experience on the school board underscores his steadfast commitment to community service and educational excellence. His track record speaks volumes showcasing, not only his ability to navigate tough battles, but his commitment to non-partisan pragmatic solutions that prioritize student achievement and parent voice.
David Olson is a champion of parent and family voice in their children's education. This includes parents serving on curriculum assessment committees, parent advisory committees, and more. Studies clearly show that when parents and families are involved, and engaged, it has a significant impact on student success.
David's Plan for the Future:
Olson’s top priority as Superintendent will be student learning. Under the current Superintendent, student success has collapsed, especially amongst students of color. Washington has a highly educated population, and this means many students learn outside of our schools, creating an important buffer against bad policies. Where students are most dependent on schools, we see a near total failure. The mission of public education is to serve as the great equalizer in our society, but there is ample proof that this is no longer the case.
The current Superintendent is failing Washington's students. In 2023, with an average of $18,287 spent statewide per student, only 50.7% of students met state testing minimum standards for ELA (reading and writing); 39.1% met math standards; and 42.9% met science standards. While some large, high income school districts have state test scores above 70%, there are many high poverty, and smaller school districts with test scores below 30%. This is unacceptable! As Superintendent of Public Instruction, David Olson will make sure our lower income students and their respective school districts, as well as small school districts, have the resources - curriculum resources, professional development for staff, etc. - they need to achieve success. He will also replace the current transportation funding formula to make it less onerous.
As Superintendent of Public Instruction, David Olson will work to change the funding model to help redirect financial resources to high poverty and smaller school districts that have trouble passing critical capital bonds and levies and paying for critical needs.
The current Superintendent took away local control from school districts and their elected school boards. He threatened to withhold money if they defied him. The result? A huge loss of learning for those students that might never be restored. On Day One, David Olson will restore local control to
school boards!!
"David Olson is a dedicated leader who puts students' needs first. His commitment to academic success and to eliminate divisive social programs make him the ideal candidate for Supt of Public Instruction." – Senator Jan Angel, retired.
Our kids and parents need David Olson as our next Superintendent of Public Instruction. Olson will become a partner with local school districts, helping them, not attacking them.
David Olson is a husband, father of four, a retired US Navy Chief Warrant Officer and currently serves on the Peninsula School Board, including being board chair in 2021 and the current vice chair.
David served in the U.S. Navy for 28 years, enlisting right out of high school, reaching the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. He had the demanding and exciting job of Navy Diver - doing underwater ships husbandry, experimental and saturation diving, and various classified projects.
In 2005, David and wife Tonia of 25 years — a Washington native – needed to pick where they’d live after David retired from the Navy. They did something more parents should be able to do, they researched school districts and chose to move to the Peninsula School District to ensure their four children received an excellent education.
During his military career, David was also involved in his local community which meant cities and bases all over the world. He’s seen what education systems look like in Korea, Guam, Puerto Rico, Italy, and other parts of the world, as a parent.
With a lifelong passion for serving others, it is important to David to support local organizations and causes. He was raised to give back and to make things better than you found them. Today, he sits on the Board of the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation; serving on the Education Cabinet and as Chair of the Students of Distinction Committee; and is a member of the Friday morning Rotary Club. He previously served as President of the City Club of Tacoma; Vice President of the Hilltop Business Association; and served on the board of the local FISH Food Bank.
David was first elected to the Peninsula School District Board in 2013, and was twice reelected since. During that time, he has served as President and Vice President, and Legislative Representative.
David cares deeply about his community, and he is passionate about making it the best possible place to live and raise your family. He is committed to working with statewide stakeholders to make our Washington Public Schools the best in the country. To provide all students with a pathway to achieve academic excellence and make sure they have the tools—academically, emotionally, socially—to achieve their unique goals.
Expanding Options for the Skilled Trades: As a former Navy electrician, underwater welder, and Navy saturation diver, David Olson knows the value of skilled trades firsthand. David believes in preparing students for high paying, fulfilling careers without student loan debt. Promoting skilled trades is central to his vision for improving education and workforce readiness in Washington state.
Focused on Improved Mental Health – Passed Policy Restricting Cell Phones & Social Media in Classrooms: Nationwide we're seeing the harm cell phones and social media is causing to our youth and students. Especially among young girls, social media bullying is creating extreme anxiety - and suicidal thoughts - and cell phone use during class has a devastating impact on academic performance. The new policy has reduced student stress, increased student engagement, reduced discipline issues, and increased academic scores. As Superintendent, David will urge all school district to adopt similar policies.
Prioritizing Academic Opportunities:
David believes that each student can achieve their best potential by providing the academic opportunities they need. He advocates for better identification of students who require special services and accelerated learning, and he prioritizes teachers' instructional time over digital learning for elementary school-aged children. Olson also seeks to increase instructional time and tutoring services for low-income students and those not meeting standards. The academic performance of his district, along with the decision to open schools early for special education students during COVID, demonstrates that these goals are achievable.
Strong Supporter of Parental Rights: School must include parents in their children's education, development, and wellbeing instead of withholding important health, medical, and safety information. Research is clear that when parents are involved in their child's education, academic performance increases. Obviously, there will be exceptions where legal issues - such as restraining orders - might prevent such access.
Achieving Financial Sustainability: David’s School District achieved financial sustainability without relying on one-time federal pandemic relief funds and delivered results. With the possibility of closing 20 Seattle public schools, David will explore converting struggling public schools to charter schools to avoid closures and improve educational outcomes.
· Implement transparent and efficient budget management to optimize resource allocation and minimize waste
· Advocate regular financial audit practices to ensure funds are used responsibly
· Develop long-term financial plans to anticipate future needs and ensure sustainability
· Attract and retain students by providing quality education to ensure stable public enrollment
· Explore the possibility of converts closing public schools to charter schools
Strong Parental Engagement Reduces Chronic Student Absenteeism: Under the Superintendent's leadership, a record number of students have been pulled out of the public schools, and the number of students still enrolled in the schools but chronically absent from schools has doubled.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as the percentage of students missing at least 10 percent of a school year. In Washington state, this means being enrolled in the public schools but missing at least 18 days of instruction. Chronic absenteeism is strongly related to failing courses and later dropping out of school. It is also strongly related to mental health problems including anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, drug abuse and crime rates including the probability of being arrested later in life. Finally, it is strongly related to family poverty and unemployment later in life.
David Olson will strongly support parental involvement and engagement, which has proven to be the key to lowering student absentee rates. In David’s school district, with strong parental involvement, it has one of the lowest absentee rates in the state.
David Olson Stands Firm Against Antisemitism and Hate Speech in Schools
David Olson, unequivocally denounces antisemitism, hate speech, and any student walkouts that support such ideologies. Olson firmly supports, and fully endorses, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which aligns with the U.S. State Department and many countries worldwide. The IHRA definition states:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish and non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
As the only candidate for OSPI to explicitly state his opposition to antisemitism and hate speech, Olson asserts, "I do not support antisemitism, hate speech, or allowing students to walk out for the purpose of hate speech. Antisemitism and hate speech, have no place in Washington public schools."
Olson’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful educational environment underscores his dedication to protecting all students and ensuring that schools remain a safe space for learning and growth. By upholding the IHRA definition, Olson aims to educate and empower students to recognize and stand against all forms of hate and discrimination.
“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
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