A Conversation with Pat Riccards
The newly-elected school bard chairman sees his biggest challenge as, predictably, the budget.
With a background in politics and communication, it's no wonder Patrick Riccards is a smooth talker. He chooses his words carefully, but makes his conversation seem effortless. Maybe that's why, after only a year on the Falls Church City Public Schools Board, he was chosen as chairman for the 2011-2012 year. Or it could be because education is in his blood. Both of Riccard's parents had careers teaching others, and it was bound to rub off on their son. "I've spent most of my professional life dealing with the issues we're facing," said Riccards. His mother was a high school English teacher, often in mediocre schools with few resources. From her Riccards learned good grammar and to respect the work of teachers. His father, an educator of …
