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Karen Redkwich seeks Maple Ridge school trustee seat with focus on student success and safety
Karen Redkwich, who has more than 25 years of public-education experience, is seeking one of five Maple Ridge school trustee positions in the Oct. 17 municipal election.
Karen Redkwich has entered the race for one of five Maple Ridge school trustee positions in the upcoming municipal election. The candidate, who has worked in public education for more than 25 years, says her priorities are student success, family partnership and responsible leadership.
Redkwich says public schools must help students build strong literacy and numeracy foundations and leave school with the knowledge, skills, confidence and opportunities needed for what comes next. She supports protecting instructional time and keeping classrooms focused on teaching and learning, while reducing barriers to activities including athletics, music, arts, clubs, leadership opportunities, recess, play and extracurricular or after-school programs.
School safety is another priority. Redkwich says learning environments should set clear behaviour expectations, take bullying and harassment seriously, and ensure students know where to turn for help. She says learners need different levels of support, which may include early academic intervention, additional learning supports, specialized services, accessibility accommodations or different instructional approaches.
Redkwich says she will listen to families’ concerns before reaching conclusions and will maintain transparent, open communication with parents, caregivers, students, staff and community members. She worked for more than 18 years as an administrative assistant in inner-city schools and for more than seven years in district-level Employee Services, experience she says gave her insight into how board and district decisions affect students, families, educators and staff.
In 2024, Redkwich was director of accommodation for the BC Summer Games, working with SD42 staff, visiting sites and connecting with people who support schools. She says that work gave her firsthand knowledge of district resources, facilities and operations. General local elections are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17.