The president of the Valparaiso School Board said in a statement to the Post-Tribune that despite owning a home in Wisconsin, his primary residence remains in Valparaiso and he is committed to the community here.
Dr. Robert Behrend, in his second term as a Valparaiso City Council appointee to the school board, came under fire from two residents during Thursday night’s school board meeting who called for him to resign because a family Christmas card, among other documents, showed he owned a residence in Hartland, Wisconsin.
“To address recent concerns about my residency: my driver’s license, voter registration, homestead exemption, and vehicles are all registered in Valparaiso, where my primary residence is located. I recognize how fortunate I am to own multiple properties; however, my home and primary residence has always been, and always will be, here in Valparaiso,” Behrend said in his email.
“Valparaiso is my permanent home, and when I am not in Valpo, it is always my intent to return to Valpo.”
Behrend said he is a lifelong Valparaiso resident who is honored to serve on the board “and represent a community that has meant so much to me and my family.” He and his children attended the Valparaiso schools, he said, “and I remain committed to supporting and strengthening our schools for future generations.”
Valparaiso resident Kathy Watts approached the board during its Thursday meeting with the Christmas card and property records in hand to ask that Behrend resign because he no longer lived in Valparaiso.
Valparaiso resident Jennifer Hora also asked for Behrend to step aside. Behrend did not comment during the meeting or respond to two previous emails from the Post-Tribune asking for clarification.
According to online property tax records for Waukesha County, Wisconsin, Behrend and his wife Karen have owned a residence in the 2700 block of Burries Road in Hartland since 2023; it is the same address on the Christmas card, which was provided to the Post-Tribune.
The mailing address listed for the property in 2023 was Behrend’s address in Valparaiso. The mailing address for last year is the residence in Hartland.
Online Porter County property tax records reflect that Behrend and his wife own a Valparaiso home for which they are receiving a homestead credit. The mailing address for the tax bill is the Hartland residence.
While the board remained mostly silent on the issue, Erika Watkins, who serves as the board’s vice president, said at the end of the meeting that the information presented by Watts and Hora left her “a bit speechless.”
“If we’re going to tell children that character matters, then we should act as a board and show character matters,” Watkins said during the meeting. “Always be mindful of your character. Always make sure that you are making sound decisions.”
The Valparaiso City Council and the Center Township Advisory Board appoint the school board members. Behrend’s term ends at the end of June, as does Watkins’, appointed by Center Township.
Watts said Friday morning that she planned to next take the issue to the City Council. Council President Ellen Kapitan, D-At-large, and member Emilie Hunt, D-At-large, were at the School Board meeting, she added.
She said the council was “definitely interested in the situation” and expected the matter to be addressed at the next City Council meeting, on Monday.
Behrend said he remains committed to serving the school community.
“I understand how questions may arise in situations like this, and I welcome transparency and accountability to resolve any misunderstandings,” Behrend said in his statement. “I remain focused on serving the best interests of our schools, students, and community.”
alavalley@chicagotribune.com
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
