Karen Clardy with her grandkids
Lake Highlands resident Karen Clardy will run for re-election to the Richardson ISD school board. She was first elected in 2017 to fill the unexpired term of Kris Oliver.
“I have enjoyed my time on the board and I believe I connect with the RISD community because of my open and honest communication and my heart for the district,” shared Clardy in a written statement. “Running for a second term will allow me to continue to be an effective voice for our community.”
Clardy’s candidacy is complicated by Thursday’s settlement in the David Tyson lawsuit. RISD will ask the judge to move the election from May to November as it shifts from 7 at-large trustees to 2 at-large and 5 single member districts.
“I will either run as an at-large candidate or as a representative in the district of my residence,” said Clardy, “depending on how the board decides to implement our transition from a purely at-large election system to a hybrid single member and at-large system.”
Currently, 3 of RISD’s 7 trustees live less than a mile from each other near Forest Meadow Junior High. Three others live less than 3 miles apart near Pearce High.
Clardy retired in 2017 after working at LHHS for 25 years. Both of her children are RISD graduates, and her daughter began her teaching career at Northlake Elementary. She’s received the PTA Life Membership and Extended Membership, the Lake Highlands Exchange Club Unsung Hero Award (twice) and the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation’s Champions Award.
“I would like to emphasize that the board and Dr. Stone strongly believe that ‘All means All’ in RISD and, if I am elected, I will continue to work relentlessly to fulfill the RISD Vision that all RISD students will Connect, Learn, Grow and Succeed,” wrote Clardy. “We have a great school district with endless opportunities.”
Maps indicating single member districts have been drawn and will be released later this week, according to RISD reps. Eron Linn has also indicated he will run again, but Katie Patterson officially announced she will encourage a minority candidate to run in her place.
We’ll keep you updated here as information on district maps and additional candidates become available.
