There’s a message on the white board in the office of Inver Grove Heights Schools Superintendent Dave Bernhardson.

“Progress moves at the speed of relationships.”

Over the years, that has meant many things. Ensuring the wide-eyed kindergartener pacing the halls realizes their eventual potential. Developing the leadership of a newly graduated teacher fresh to the high school. Showing teenagers the opportunities that could propel them forward.

Bernhardson has announced his retirement after 12 years of leading Inver Grove Heights Schools, also known as ISD 199. Connecting with people has been the hallmark of Bernhardson’s career, he said, one that will wrap up at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

“I’m most proud of the relationships, and the power of relationships made with kids and adults,” Bernhardson said.

Colleagues like Deb Henton, executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, credited Bernhardson’s “child-centered approach,” and his readiness to support colleagues.

“Superintendent Bernhardson has provided steady, reliable leadership for the students, families, staff and community of Inver Grove Heights,” Henton said. “During a period marked by significant change, including the pandemic and other complex challenges, his consistent presence and thoughtful leadership were especially valuable.”

Former SoWashCo principal

Before his work as superintendent in Inver Grove Heights Schools, Bernhardson served South Washington County Schools as a principal, principal on special assignment and assistant superintendent.

Tom Nelson became superintendent of South Washington County Schools in 2005 while Bernhardson was an elementary school principal in the district. South Washington County was beginning the process of opening East Ridge High School, and Nelson tapped Bernhardson to organize the planning and development of the new school.

“He did it, and he did it in excellent order without a lot of problems,” Nelson recalled, adding that it was easy to see that Bernhardson would be successful as his administration career continued.

“He cares about his students, and he cares about his teachers. I think those are two of the most important qualities that you can have as a superintendent,” Nelson said.

Bernhardson also spent time as an elementary principal in Inver Grove Heights Schools. He started out in education as an elementary physical education teacher in Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Schools, and, preceding that, in Watertown, S.D.

In line with his dedication to relationships, Bernhardson credited former superintendents Phil Moye, Mark Porter and Nelson as playing pivotal roles in helping cultivate his path toward school administration. Former Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan District 196 principals Duane Burns, Kevin Samsel, and Jerry Bertsch also guided him in his career.

Opening doors

The idea of a career in education struck Bernhardson while sitting in a Minnesota State University Moorhead classroom. By that point, the teenager hadn’t settled on a career path. No single vocational pursuit had truly resonated with him.

“I was one of those kids who had no idea what I wanted to do. No idea. It clicked in college when I took a certain class because a friend was in it — kinesiology (the study of movement and physical activity). I took it on a whim and it was like: I’m done. This is it. This is what my mission is,” Bernhardson said.

As a lifelong educator, he saw himself through many students walking the halls of Inver Grove Heights schools. Children who were unaware of the opportunities before them, but now, he was able to help open those doors for his students.

Superintendent Dave Bernhardson gathers feedback from students about school meals during an ISD 199 Student Advisory Council meeting in Inver Grove Heights in April 2025. (Katie Sheridan / ISD 199)

The size of District 199 allowed him to lead the district administratively, but also have the opportunity to connect with students from time to time, he said.

“I treasured that part of Inver Grove Heights and working in this district,” Bernhardson said. “We take great pride in giving service to every kid that comes through our doors.”

Time is right

Why retire now? Bernhardson said the timing was right for a new leader.

Educators in public schools are contending not only with tightening budgets, but also with the growing politicization of public schools — pressures that are reshaping the profession and straining those who work within it.

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Those pressures contributed a bit, too, he said.

“I have been thinking about it for a short time. On the professional side, and the personal side, it’s the right time,” Bernhardson said. “My dad has always said, ‘You’ll know when it is the right time.’ And I always doubted that, but he was right on it.”

In stepping away from Inver Grove Heights Schools, Bernhardson is planning on spending more time with his family. His wife, Becky, teaches third grade in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district; they have three grown children, ages 28, 26 and 22. And speaking of the right time, Bernhardson is excited to visit his aforementioned 97-year-old father in Moorhead regularly, too.

“I have had such a significant amount of support in doing this job,” Bernhardson said.