Seattle Schools Community Forum: Chris Reykdal for State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Chris Reykdal for State Superintendent of Public Instruction:

Chris Reykdal for State Superintendent of Public Instruction

I'm endorsing Chris Reykdal for state superintendent.  Before I get to why, I want to lay out what the role of the state superintendent is.  Reydal's website. 

KUOW had this piece about the job recently and called it "ceremonial."  I think that might be more the Lt. Governor role but certainly not the state superintendent.  Many people think it is to support teachers but the role is an executive/administrative role that supports teaching and learning (which would include teachers but that is not the main focus.)

Here's what former state rep Marcie Maxwell had to say by way of explanation:

In my years as a School Board Director, Legislator and Governor’s Education Policy Advisor, I’ve worked closely with OSPI Superintendents, and understand the roles and responsibilities of this statewide official. The role of OSPI Superintendent is deep in politics, policies and budgets. OSPI is a statewide agency of 400+ employees with program oversight and reporting for billions in state and federal education funds.

It is important to have someone who cares about schools and students but it's more important to consider that the state superintendent sits on several key committees including the timber committee (because some school funding comes from timber sales.)  You need someone who knows this landscape and Reykdal does. 

Maxwell goes on to state that Reykdal has been a teacher (three years early in his professional career), a fiscal director for higher ed systems but has also been an elected official - both a school board director and a state representative.  That on-the-ground knowledge of both how schools work and the people who do the funding is a significant item in the list of what Reykdal would bring to the office.

Besides his teaching certificate, he also has a Master's degree in Public Administration (government finance, budgeting and performance management.) 

In the Legislature, he has served as the vice-chair of the House Education Committee.  He's worked in the Washington Senate before being elected, as a fiscal analyst for transportation. 

In short, he knows his stuff and is ready to step into the executive role of state superintendent. 

But I believe the state superintendent should also be able to talk to teachers and kids because the role also has some cheerleading to it; mainly, promoting belief in our public schools. 

Reykdal grew up the youngest of eight kids in a poor family.   As he puts it:Seattle Schools Community Forum: Chris Reykdal for State Superintendent of Public Instruction: