Keri Lopez

I am Keri Lopez, incumbent, serving in position #4 on the Redmond School District Board of Directors.

Above and beyond my service on the RSD board, my family is very active in youth sports. I am currently serving as president of a local nonprofit, Redmond Sports Federation. I have two students in the Redmond School District.

I am excited to see the progress that has been made regarding parents’ rights in the district during my tenure, and I look forward to providing continued focus in this area. There is a backlog of curriculum adoptions happening, policy adoptions that require detailed attention, as well as continued improvements in public communications and improvements in transparency in public meetings. Considering recent national tragedies, and as a parent with students in the district, school safety is always top of mind.

When I talk about parents’ rights, what I mean in terms of curriculum is:

• Continuing to provide parents access to syllabi and assignments

• Providing a clear opt out option if parents deem necessary

• Encourage conversations and partnerships between parents and staff

• Effectively communicate opportunities for parents and the community to be part of the curriculum adoption processes

When I talk about detail and advocating for parents’ rights in terms of board policy let me give you an example.

In a work session, the immunization policy came up for review. Medical and religious exemption language was proposed to be removed from the policy. Diligent in my research, I asked for that language to be added back into the policy (JHCA/JHCB). The final policy allowing for medical and religious exemptions to remain was approved by the board in December 2021.

When I talk about transparency in public meetings, here’s what I mean: When I ask questions out of the public purview and the item is on an agenda and in accordance with our board operating agreement and training provided by OSBA, I will ask the questions one-on-one and again in the public meeting.

I also supported policy review in public board work sessions and not in a policy review committee with less than three board members present.

I will bring continued dedication and focus to school safety. Here’s how: When policy JFCJ (weapons in school) was up for review and the language around armed law enforcement was recommended to be removed. I proved again to be diligent in my research and questioning. As a result, this language remains in the policy today.

I will continue to vote in the affirmative for budget items to increase school safety as well as budget items that ensure school resource officers in our district will be fully funded and that policy continues to support SROs in our schools.

I’ve attended Redmond School District and Redmond Police Department’s standard response protocol presentations at RHS and Ridgeview. I am confident that Redmond PD will act expediently and effectively in the event of an atrocity.

Bond funds are currently being used to install permanent access control systems across schools in the district. Doors are and have been locked during school hours throughout the district as well.I have also seen district communications improve dramatically over the past two years regarding threats and negative events throughout the district.

Having two students in the Redmond School District, along with their friends, families, and staff that I care deeply about. Their safety is top of mind, every single day. Anything short of that truth is a gross misrepresentation of the facts.

Please vote to re-elect Keri Lopez on May 16.