5 takeaways from the superintendent of public instruction debate

Both candidates support limiting cell phone use.

Olson noted that his home school district successfully implemented a cell phone policy, though it took some time due to feedback from students, parents and teachers. He believed limiting cell phone use was a crucial step in addressing ongoing mental health issues.

Reykdal also supported policies limiting cell phone use, stating that research shows that students are negatively impacted when they’re used. He said there’s less research to show if removing phones helps with improving learning, but he believes that evidence will come over time. Reykdal emphasized, however, that a cell phone policy needs to be done with additional education on the impact of social media and screens.

Olson tried to differentiate himself on parental rights.

Olson said parents want to be involved with their children on all issues, including decisions on everything from gender identity to academics. He voiced support for an initiative that established a parental bill of rights that included rights to review instructional materials, inspect records, receive certain notifications and opt out of certain activities, like sexual health education.

Olson took issue with Reykdal on a memo his office issued following the initiative’s passage, saying Reykdal told school districts they should ignore the new law’s provisions. Reykdal disputed that assertion, saying that his memo noted that provisions of the bill could conflict with federal law around student privacy protections, and that districts should hold off on creating a bunch of new rules before the courts have time to chime in. His memo mentioned a preliminary injunction passed by a judge in King County Superior Court that asked the state to cease implementation of parts of the parental-rights bill that could conflict with student privacy rights.

Reykdal sought to highlight Olson’s Republican policy positions.

Several times during the debate, Reykdal tried to tie Olson to policy positions associated with the far-right faction of the Republican party.

Namely, he claimed Olson supported an initiative that would repeal the state’s capital gains tax, a crucial funding source for education. Olson denied that assertion and simply said there should be measures to ensure lottery and cannabis tax revenues are used for education as intended.

Reykdal scoffed at that point, saying that if the capital gains tax is repealed, neither alternative source of income could make up the loss of hundreds of millions a year for preschool and K-12 education.

“You want to be the school superintendent. I don’t think the motto should be, ‘More marijuana.’ It’s like JD Vance-weird in my opinion,” Reykdal said, referring to the Republican U.S. vice-presidential candidate and a pejorative term used by Democrats.

He also said Olson spoke publicly against diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, programs. Olson did not confirm or deny that claim but said he supported having school teachers reflect the student body of the local community. For example, Olson cited Central Washington’s Latino community, saying schools should hire more Spanish-speaking teachers as well as incentivize teachers to learn the language.  

This story was edited to correct past work information from the current state superintendent, Chris Reykdal. The story incorrectly said he was a union administrator. The story also added that he worked as an executive for the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.