Gayle Olsen focuses on ‘best interest of the students’ | Chico Unified School Board, Trustee Area 2

After a lengthy history working in education, Gayle Olsen is running for a seat on the Chico Unified School District’s board of trustees in Area 2.

Olsen

Olsen recently retired after teaching in special education for 34 years and has been a Chico resident for 26 years. She got her start teaching at a middle school in Los Gatos but eventually moved to Chico where she worked at Rosedale Elementary School and eventually at Pleasant Valley High School.

After learning that her district’s seat was on the ballot this year, Olsen decided to run.

“I love my students so much and this was an opportunity for me to stay involved with the students and to help make decisions that are in the best interest of the students,” Olsen said.

The big issue

Olsen expressed a deep interest in making sure the educational needs of students are met in a way that is equitable.

“I come from the special education world, but it’s also true for students who are homeless or those students who are your average or maybe below average student,” Olsen said. “They all need access to an equal education and that looks different for each student. What’s fair for one student isn’t necessarily fair for another student.”

One way of meeting those needs is through Independent Education Plans, which Olsen supported but acknowledged can be difficult for some to obtain. Olsen also noted that employee retention has been a major issue within the district.

“That’s been a real challenge,” Olsen said. “Last year, I believe two special ed teachers that started said ‘you know what, I can’t do this,’ the job is very difficult.”

Olsen said the Chico Unified School District has done a good job of incentivizing retirement as a way to maintain retention in the long term, something she supports as a means to keep teachers. However, Olsen said she hopes to find more ways to attract new teachers and keep them.

“Even with that being said, there’s a teacher shortage and I believe with special education in particular.”

Ballots for the 2024 November election are scheduled to be mailed out on Oct. 7.