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Salem-Keizer board swears in new members and unanimously elects leadership for 2025–26
Summary
On July 8 the Salem-Keizer School Board swore in newly elected directors and student advisers, and unanimously elected Cynthia Richardson as chair, Lisa Harnish as first vice chair and Corina Guzman Ortiz as second vice chair; the board also approved the consent calendar.
Cynthia Richardson was elected chair of the Salem-Keizer School Board on July 8, 2025, after the board swore in newly elected directors and two student advisers and then held its organizational votes. The nominations and voice votes were unanimous.
The meeting began with oaths of office for newly seated directors and the district’s student advisers. Director Lisa Harnish recited the oath to “support the Constitution of the United States, the laws of the state of Oregon, and the policies of the Salem Keizer Public School District” and said she would “faithfully and impartially discharge the responsibilities of the office.” Student advisers Jolie McMahon and Jackson Woods were similarly sworn and affirmed a commitment to “bring the voice of all students to the school board.”
Director Lisa Harnish nominated Cynthia Richardson for chair. The board took a voice vote and members raised hands in support; Richardson was elected chair for the 2025–26 school year. Director Harnish was nominated and elected first vice chair, and Director Corina Guzman Ortiz was nominated and elected second vice chair. Board members noted that election of officers requires a majority of four votes and that the votes were unanimous.
The board then moved to routine business. Dr. Sandagari made a motion to approve the consent calendar; Director Harnish seconded the motion and the board approved the consent calendar by unanimous voice vote.
The reorganizational votes set the district’s leadership for the coming school year and cleared the board to proceed with its regular agenda and committee assignments.
Votes and formal actions are recorded below.
