Richfield School Board Candidate John Ashmead: 'We’re Going to Have to Be Creative'

Editor's Note: With 15 residents vying for just three open seats on the Richfield Public School District School Board, Patch will be featuring individual Q&As with the candidates before the Nov. 8, 2011 election.

John Ashmead, 63, worked for 35 years as a principal in St. Paul Public Schools. Following his retirement from the St. Paul school district, he currently works for the Richfield School District as a bus driver for after-school activities. Three of Ashmead's children graduated from in 1993, 1996 and 1998, respectively. A fourth child attended middle school in Richfield.

Richfield Patch: Why did you decide to run for the Richfield School Board?

John Ashmead: I just liked the direction I saw things were going in Richfield. Because I have some more energy and time, I just wanted to make sure that Richfield continues moving forward in a positive direction. I liked what I've what seen Dr. [Bob] Slotterback doing and wanted to support him. I thought I would be a good candidate and [it's] a good time in my life to do it. We're (Ashmead and his wife) empty-nesters, so it kind of all came together.

Richfield Patch: What do you think the big issues facing the Richfield School Board will be during your potential term?

Ashmead: Obviously the biggest one is financing. We’re going to have to be creative in trimming money, but we also want people to understand that if they don’t support the —if the quality of the schools goes down—the quality of the community and property values will go down with it. Living here for 38 years, I feel some loyalty.

Richfield Patch: What's the biggest change you've noticed in the time since your own children attended Richfield Public Schools?

Ashmead: The biggest change, and I think it [has] a lot to do with the perspective you come in with, is demographic. Some people view it as a negative [but] I don’t. One of the district’s biggest challenges is to get minority groups participating in activities and events.

Richfield Patch: Do you see the school board having a role there?

Ashmead: I think they're going to have to make a concerted effort to do so. One thing is obviously to work more closely with parent groups. I don’t know if I want to promote particular parent groups, but we definitely need more involvement from minority families. We can offer more things that appeal to them. If you make things more appealing and desirable for them, they would be more apt to get involved.

Richfield Patch: What do you want voters to know about your qualifications as you bid for a seat on the school board?

Ashmead: The main reason I’m running is because of my background and experience. I have an M.A. and Ed. S. in school administration. I’ve got a sense of what it makes to make a school run well.

Ashmead participated in the . Other groups interested in having him speak may reach him at 612-861-2992 or email him at ashleague@juno.com.