Washington’s New State School Superintendent on the Funding Debate

Conversations with Enrique Cerna

“My job is to put an objective lens on it to get results.” Chris Reykdal is the new superintendent of public instruction for the state of Washington. A former high school teacher and state legislator, Reykdal was elected state schools chief in November. He takes office as the Washington State Legislature is grappling with meeting a state Supreme Court order as part of the landmark McCleary decision to come up with a plan to adequately fund public education. In conversation with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna, Reykdal weighs in on the funding challenge and the various funding proposals. He also talks about school testing, the opportunity gap, graduation rates and his concern about the increasing number of homeless students in our schools.