Rose leaving Fairfield schools

A familiar face will be absent from the Fairfield High School hallways and the sidelines of athletic events next year as Activities Director Brad Rose will be moving on to West Des Moines to take a similar position at Valley High School ? a position Rose calls an unbelievable career opportunity.

?Whether I was from here or not, it was a tougher decision than one may think,? Rose said. ?I?ve been in Fairfield three times, and all three times have been more beneficial than I could possibly describe. My wife and family have developed some strong relationships here, our friends are here, and we want our kids to be around the kind of people that are in Fairfield. We?ve set some deep roots and this was definitely not a no-brainer.?

Rose is a Fairfield native and returned home in 1989 to teach at FHS after earning a bachelors degree in management from Simpson College. He then made stops in Ottumwa and Ankeny before coming back to Fairfield again for a six-year stint as activities director. He also completed a masters degree in educational leadership from Drake University last May and serves as the state of Iowa liaison for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

?If I had to rank Mr. Rose as an activities director, he would be at the top of the list af all the activities directors I have dealt with in 30-plus years in education,? said Fairfield superintendent Don Achelpohl. ?His service to the students, staff and communities that form Fairfield Community School District has been greatly appreciated. He will leave big shoes to fill.?

At Valley, Rose will still don orange and black as he assumes the responsibilities of current Athletic Director Steve Duncan. Duncan was honored as the National High School Athletic Director of the year in 2006 and the Des Moines Register has recognized Valley, the largest school in Iowa, as the top 4A school in athletics every year from 2003-07. The Tiger football, baseball and swimming teams have claimed 13 state titles since 2002.

Rose will be the first ever activities director at Valley, as he will balance his time between fine arts and athletics ? something he has done during his time in Fairfield.

?Fairfield has grown, we?ve added some new programs, and I?ve been able to bridge the gap between fine arts and athletics.? Rose said. ?Everybody is a student and everybody should have the opportunity to have a good high school experience.?

Valley is no slouch in areas outside of athletics either as it claimed the 2006 National High School Mock Trial Championship.

Rose continued to say a challenge laying ahead in his new position will be balancing a budget that has never been an issue in West Des Moines. Valley will face upwards of $100,000 in transportation costs and, due to the economic climate, will need fundraisers for the first time ? something that also plays into his history in Fairfield.

?People have to worry about money now, and they are looking for someone to bring groups together and someone to lead,? he said.

For the complete article, see the Thursday, February 26, 2009, Fairfield Ledger.