Richfield School Board Candidate Will Berend: 'I'm Passionate About Our Community'

Editor's Note: , Richfield Patch wanted to talk with each candidate to see why they want to be a part of the board, what needs focus in the district and what new ideas they can bring to the table. Look for more candidate Q&As in the coming days.

Texas native Will Berend has lived with his wife in Richfield for eight years, and he is one of the 15 residents interested in grabbing hold of one of three Richfield School Board seats this November. Berend talked with Patch about his reasons for running and what ideas he can bring to the community to better education.

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

Will Berend: I want to ensure that my children and the children of Richfield receive the quality education they deserve. One way I can make sure this occurs is by being a member of the school board. The district has made some significant improvements in recent years. However, improvements like these must continue for the district to compete with schools in the area.

Richfield Patch: What issues are a concern for you within the district?

Berend: Two words: quality and community. Providing quality educational options for the community of Richfield should be the main goal. The first way we can do this is by passing the new referendum. Once this is done the necessary money needed for the Richfield Public Schools to continue to improve the options offered will be available. The passing of the referendum will also help raise the quality of the education that RPS offers. The end result will be the increase in the number of K-12 aged children attending Richfield Schools (currently at 75%). The increased community involvement from Richfield residents is extremely important and will increase the quality of our schools.  

Richfield Patch: If elected, what new ideas would you bring to the district/board?

Berend: I believe a liberal arts magnet school should be on the list of improvements. Adding this option would provide another quality choice for the Richfield community and would continue to make Richfield Public Schools more competitive and attractive to those outside of Richfield, as well. I would also like to see foreign languages added to the middle schools. I want to be clear, though, that both of these ideas would fall behind extending the [Richfield] S.T.E.M. and [Richfield] Dual Language programs into our middle and high schools.

Richfield Patch: What should residents know about you?

Berend: I'm a native Texan, but I now consider Minnesota home. My wife, Anna, and I fell in love with Minnesota, the Twin Cities and Richfield when we moved here in 2003. It's a great place to live and call home and will be where we raise our two Minnesota-born boys. I'm passionate about our community. I believe Richfield possesses some of the hidden gems of the Twin Cities in , the , etc. With my background in marketing, public relations and customer service I will provide guidance and direction when necessary to make sure we are using the best mediums for spreading the word about Richfield Public Schools and for sharpening the image of RPS. I also have many years of experience as a project manager and understand the importance of working with a group to deliver the best product and service possible. I will use these passions and experiences as a school board member to continue to improve the quality of education for our community.