Dave Larson says he's come full circle.

Larson graduated from Federal Way High during the school budgetary crisis of the 1970s; now as the newest member of the Federal Way Board of Education, he will help steer the district through its current fiscal woes. Larson was sworn in as the representative for district #5 two weeks ago and will serve until the term expires at the end of 2007. He replaced Robert Millen, who resigned in March.

"I felt it was my responsibility [to apply for the position]," Larson explained over chicken teriyaki at a Japanese restaurant on Pacific Highway.

"Particularly at this time, I want to lend my abilities and talents to my community."

Larson is a practicing attorney, with an extensive background in mediation, and says that his top priority is to address state funding inequities that plague Federal Way School District.

Improving parental involvement in the schools is also a goal Larson hopes to achieve, as well as spearheading a reintroduction of "civics" class.

"I see a need to teach our kids what it means to live in a free society, the responsibilities of citizenship. I'd like to see civics and character education as a direct part of our curriculum," said Larson.

The four board members selected Larson from among six candidates.

"This time, we took a different approach...we looked strictly at qualification, work history and community participation. Dave is shockingly knowledgeable about the district," said Evelyn Castellar, the current board president. Dave Larson was born in Tacoma, and moved with his family to Federal Way in 1967. His father worked as an airline mechanic for Northwest Airlines, and his mother became a "lunch lady" at Mirror Lake Elementary once Larson and his two brothers were in school.

After attending Mirror Lake, Sacajawea, and graduating in 1976 from FWHS, Larson attended Pacific Lutheran University on an academic scholarship, later transferring to University of Puget Sound, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration.

Thinking he wanted to become a King County Sheriff, he was all set to take the police academy examination when he was accepted to Seattle University School of Law.

He decided to become a lawyer instead.

"I worked at every job I could to pay my way through school. I picked up litter on the freeway for $2.10 an

hour, worked security at the airport, loaded airplanes, delivered pizza, you name it," remembered Larson.

After receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1984, he joined the staff trial counsel for Safeco Insurance Companies. An associate position at another law firm followed, and then Larson started his own practice, which he owned and operated until 2001.

"I worked seven days a week running a business while practicing law, and after 10 years, I wanted to spend more time with my family," Larson said. Larson's family includes wife Debra and two sons, Andrew, 15 and Joshua, 12. Andrew attends Todd Beamer and Joshua is a sixth grader at Illahee.

Although his wife graduated from FWHS also in 1976, they didn't start dating until ten years later, and married in 1987. Debra Larson is a two-time PTA GoldenAcorn award recipient.

"Debra and I had lengthy discussions on whether I should apply; she thought it was the right thing to do, and I agreed," said the new board member. With a long history of community participation, as a Little League coach, Cub Scout den leader and PTA member, Larson is intimately familiar with the Federal Way school district. Larson said that he knew the other board members personally; Larson first met Tom Madden in the fifth grade, and has worked with Barney, Hoff and Castellar through his involvement with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Federal Way. "I bring to the board objectiveness, mediation ability and common sense," Larson responded thoughtfully before breaking into a wide smile. Now that he's taken office, the new school board member admits he has to make up for spending less time with his wife and family during the selection process. "Now that I've been officially sworn in," he joked, "I can be sworn at!"