Superintendent Bio
Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent
Dr. Jon Holmen serves as Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of Lake Washington School District, where he provides strategic vision, leadership, and direction for one of Washington’s largest and highest-performing school systems. A skilled education leader with over 26 years of experience in public education, Dr. Holmen became the district’s 13th superintendent on July 1, 2020.
He began his career in Lake Washington teaching third grade at Benjamin Rush Elementary. After teaching multiple grade levels and configurations, he served as Assistant to the Principal at Christa McAuliffe Elementary and Carl Sandburg Elementary/Discovery Community School. Following completion of his administrative credential program, Dr. Holmen became Principal of Samantha Smith Elementary, serving from 2004 to 2007.
In 2007, he was selected as Director of Special Services, where he supported students, staff, and families across all regions of the district. He later served as Director of School Support for the Redmond Learning Community beginning in 2012. From 2014 to 2020, Dr. Holmen was a member of the Executive Cabinet, serving as Associate Superintendent and then Deputy Superintendent. During that time, he provided executive oversight for Special Education, Intervention Services, School Support, Human Resources, Student Services, Technology Operations, Communications, and Data, Research & Accountability.
Dr. Holmen earned his doctorate in Executive Leadership from Seattle Pacific University in 2016. His dissertation focused on the relationship between effective school boards and improved student achievement. He also holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Seattle Pacific University and a Master’s in Teaching from City University, and was a student-athlete during his undergraduate years at Seattle Pacific.
Currently, Dr. Holmen serves as Chair of the Washington Network for Innovative Careers (WANIC) Administrative Council, is a board member for the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS), and is a member of community organizations including Kiwanis and OneRedmond.
Dr. Holmen led Lake Washington School District through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and is guiding the implementation of the district’s new Strategic Framework: Extraordinary Futures Start Today: Exceptional Experiences for Each Learner. This Framework articulates the district’s values and commitments to students, families, and the broader community. Over the next several years, representative committees will refine the district’s mission and vision, co-create a shared vision for inclusion, revise the equity analysis tool, and advance additional strategic priorities. Advisory committees focused on Budget and Facilities are entering their third year, and a newly established Sustainability Advisory Committee, created after the 2024 adoption of the district’s Sustainability Policy, will help guide environmental responsibility and impact.
Dr. Holmen is also deeply committed to student and community safety. He is advancing a layered school safety framework, expanding data sharing, and supporting community engagement around the district’s Community Resource Officer program to ensure student well-being.
Under Dr. Holmen’s leadership, the district will enter the 2025–26 school year with a balanced budget and healthy reserves. Lake Washington is recognized as a financially stable district by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and has earned the Meritorious Budget Award for eight consecutive years – the only district in Washington to achieve this distinction. This financial health reflects a commitment to strategic prioritization, transparent resource allocation, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Previously, Dr. Holmen led multiple successful levy campaigns, directed complex boundary review processes, and championed innovative systems for inclusive community participation. As executive sponsor of the district’s data strategy, he helped implement a robust data infrastructure to support both instructional and operational decision-making.
Dr. Holmen and his wife live in the district, where their youngest child attends school. He enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with family, and cheering on local sports teams. He has also volunteered as a coach in Redmond West Little League and the City of Redmond. Dr. Holmen believes in serving the community where he lives and is committed to ensuring the district continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of every student.