OSPI Candidate David Olson Responds To Chris Reykdal’s Call For School Districts To Ignore Parental Rights Law

‍[reposted 6/27/24] The following is a press release, dated June 10, 2024, from David Olson who is running for OSPI State Superintendent.

GIG HARBOR—Last week, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal issued guidance for Washington State school districts not to implement portions of Initiative 2081, which was passed by the Legislature in March and took effect on June 6. Reykdal does not want school districts to modify their policies and procedures to expand parents’ access to their children’s school records.

In response, David Olson issued the following statement:

“I’m very disappointed to see Chris Reykdal telling school districts not to implement the portions of Initiative 2081 that he doesn’t like.

I-2081, the Parents’ Bill of Rights, was passed by a strong bipartisan majority in the House and unanimously in the Senate earlier this year after receiving nearly 450,000 signatures from Washington voters. It affirms that parents are the primary stakeholders in children’s education and provides critical protections for them to be notified about what is happening to their child in school and what is being taught, as well as ensures access to records. I am a strong supporter of the initiative and its aims.

Last week, the King County Superior Court denied the ACLU’s request for a temporary restraining order to stop the initiative from taking effect. The court was unconvinced that speculative harms that they allege are likely to happen. I applaud this decision that allowed this important legislation to become law as intended. As a long-tenured local school board member, I have always promoted and supported parental involvement in education.

We must do everything possible to guarantee transparency, accountability, and access for parents to be engaged and involved with their children’s education. I-2081 is a powerful tool to further these goals, and I will fight to support its full implementation.”

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David Olson is an 11-year member of the Peninsula School Board and served 28 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer. He has been endorsed by over 50 nonpartisan local school board members from across the state. David and his wife Tonia raised three of their four children in Gig Harbor, all who are graduates of Peninsula Public Schools. David is running for Superintendent of Public Instruction to refocus the office on promoting student learning, fiscal responsibility, and supporting local school districts, not dictating to them. Learn more about David and his campaign at ElectDavidOlson.com. David@ElectDavidOlson.com