q Kim Reykdal q Dave Brastow
Voters in the Tumwater School District have a choice to make for a soon-to-be-vacant school director seat. The Olympian’s editorial board encourages district residents to support Kim Reykdal over Dave Brastow.
Oddly enough, the seat is being vacated by Kim Reykdal’s husband, Chris, who was elected to the state Legislature a year ago as a Democrat in the 22nd Legislative District. But Kim Reykdal is not riding her husband’s coattails into this office. She’s a well-qualified, energetic candidate with a lot to offer Tumwater voters.
Brastow, 64, is a stay-at-home dad with two children attending Tumwater schools. He’s a well-intentioned, congenial fellow who truly has the best interest of all Tumwater students at heart.
Brastow said he would use his skills as a tutor and a systems analyst and computer programmer to bring a new perspective to the district. While he’s only attended school board meetings since July, Brastow said he has come to the opinion that the district is well managed by the board of trustees and top administrators.
He comes, not with any agenda, but with a willingness to listen and learn and ask questions, Brastow said. He bases his campaign largely on the belief that he will look at issues and problems with a different perspective than other board members. He stresses the importance of solid communication between schools and parents, but admits that he has little budgetary experience beyond the family budget.
Brastow is well traveled and inquisitive, and we admire his belief that each of us can learn something from every other person we come in contact with. It’s troublesome that county records show he did not vote in the February 2008 Tumwater school levy election.
As likeable as Brastow may be, he simply cannot match Kim Reykdal’s credentials for this important elected position.
Reykdal, 39, has a pre-school age daughter and a son who is just beginning his elementary school years in Tumwater. She was a classroom teacher for three years and has spent the last 13 years as a school counselor in four South Sound high schools. Her current assignment is Olympia High School where she also serves as the legislative director of the Washington School Counselors Association.
Reykdal understands the economic crisis facing Washington schools today. She sees first-hand the larger class sizes and fewer resources available to teachers. She brings to the school board the perspective of someone in the schools, which is an important voice.
Reykdal understands that teachers have one of the toughest jobs in society, but also one of the most rewarding. She is laser focused on the desire to give every student the support and skills they will need to be a success in life – not just academically, but socially and emotionally, too.
It’s clear that Reykdal is both a global thinker, and someone who has an eye for detail. In the midst of education reform and looming budget cuts, Tumwater School District voters are lucky to have a well-qualified, energetic, articulate advocate for kids and student learning running for the school board.
We believe Reykdal has earned the public’s vote based on her abilities. Vote for Kim Reykdal on Nov. 8.
