Unvaccinated State Representative Klippert Could Face Trouble In Day Job

By Dori Luzzo Gilmour

In several areas of the state, school resource officers are contracted employees from sheriff’s departments. Pierce and Benton county both supply sheriff deputies to local school districts as school resource officers. In the Kiona Benton school district, the school resource officer is sheriff deputy Brad Klippert, who is also a state representative. 

Klippert has stated he is not vaccinated and was locked out of participating with in -person sessions at the House representatives until January because of vaccination requirements. 

Governor Jay Inslee mandated all public employees and school district personnel be fully vaccinated or receive a health or religious exemption by Oct 18. 

In a media briefing, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal said nearly 90% of Washington’s public K–12 school employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Reykdal’s office informed school districts and Sheriff departments that contracted employees and school resource officers that are on-site, in contact with staff and students, are required to be vaccinated or go through the exemption process. 

“…And we will follow up to make sure that happens,” Reykdal said. “If there is an unvaccinated, unexempted law enforcement officer whose regular work is within our schools, that employment relationship needs to change with our school district.” 

Klippert’s supervisor, Lieutenant Mathew Clark confirmed that Klippert is working as an SRO in the Ki-Be school district. Brad Klippert has not responded to phone calls or emails.