School Board
About the Richfield School Board
Members of the Richfield Public School District Board of Education set the vision and goals for the District, monitor progress and ensure accountability. Every decision they make is centered on what is best for students and incorporates student input throughout the process—from listening sessions with students to the inclusion of student board representatives. Student voice is reflected in the school board's policies, each of which is reviewed at least every five years to ensure continued alignment with the vision of the board and the needs of students, staff and families.
Photo above (left to right): Hayley Tompkins, Kirk Spencer, Callmie Dennis, Ken Liss, former board member Paula Cole, Eric Carter, Superintendent Steven Unowsky.
Board Vacancy
The board has declared a vacancy beginning on August 1, 2026 until the end of previous board member Paula Cole’s term on January 1, 2028. Paula Cole no longer lives in the District, which disqualifies her to continue serving as a board member.
At the board meeting on August 17, 2026, the board appointed Tim Pollis to fill the vacancy. The appointed board member will sign his acceptance and oath of office by September 17, 2026, and attend his first meeting as a returning board member on October 5, 2026. A school board election will take place on November 2, 2027 for three of the six board member seats, including the seat previously held by Paula Cole. The three board members elected (or re-elected) on November 2, 2027 will begin their terms on January 1, 2028.
Upcoming Board Meetings
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District Office Boardroom
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District Office Boardroom
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District Office Boardroom
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District Office Boardroom
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District Office Boardroom
Resources
Learn More
Recent Board Meetings
Contact the Board
ERIC CARTER
BOARD OF EDUCATION, CHAIR, Term: January 2026-29
Eric has over 25 years of Information Technology leadership experience and is currently the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Comm-Works, a New Era Technology Company. Eric has served on the board since 2022 in the roles of director, vice chair and chair.
CALLMIE DENNIS
BOARD OF EDUCATION, DIRECTOR, Term: January 2026-29
Dr. Callmie Dennis has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field and has been appointed to several community positions over the years. She currently serves as a Human Rights Commissioner for Richfield and on the Hennepin County Birth Justice Community Advisory Board. Dr. Dennis is a business owner, an author and a mom of three adult children and has served on the board since 2026 in the role of director.
KENNETH LISS
BOARD OF EDUCATION, CLERK, Term: January 2024-28
Ken is a retired Navy Captain and a former business owner. He now serves as a substitute teacher for multiple school districts. Ken has served on the board since 2024 in the roles of director, treasurer and clerk.
KIRK SPENCER
BOARD OF EDUCATION, VICE CHAIR, Term: January 2024-28
Kirk has been a leader in Information Technology for over 20 years, currently responsible for a global team of project/program managers. Kirk has served on the board since 2024 in the roles of director, treasurer and vice chair.
HAYLEY TOMPKINS
BOARD OF EDUCATION, TREASURER, Term: January 2026-29
Hayley is the Deputy Director of Dakota County Libraries and Community Faculty at the University of Minnesota's Youth Studies department. Hayley has served on the board since 2026 in the roles of director and treasurer.
Student Board Representatives
Student board representatives attend board meetings and provide board members with their perspectives on agenda items. They are key in providing student voice at the board level, and they frequently bring issues back to their high school peers and share what they hear from the board.
At the beginning of each school year, the RHS administrators advertise openings for student representatives, and interested students must fill out an application. The RHS administration interviews the interested students and selects representatives. Students then meet with the superintendent and board chair to ensure they understand the expectations and want to commit to the role. Student board representatives are eligible to receive a stipend of $600 per calendar year in which they serve on the board, or to decline the stipend and count the time as volunteer service hours.