Tim Bower announces run for Fairfield school board

FAIRFIELD - Tim Bower has announced that he will run for a Fairfield School Board seat in the Tuesday, Nov. 5th election.

Bower, the President of The Nelson Company lives in Fairfield with his wife, Karen. The couple's children are Megan of Fairfield, Brittany (husband Nathan and granddaughter Caroline) of Des Moines and Aric of Fairfield.

Bower was born and raised on a farm near Glasgow in Jefferson County. He is a graduate of Fairfield High School, Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering and holds a Master's in Business Administration degree through the University of Iowa's Executive program.

Bower was elected to three, four-year terms to the Muscatine School Board and resigned from the Board when he and his wife relocated to Fairfield last year. During his three terms with the Muscatine School Board, he served as president and vice-president. Every year while on the Board, he received the Better Boardsmanship award from the Iowa Association of School Boards. This award is based on continued learning sessions completed to improve board members and increase their awareness of critical issues. Bower was also appointed to the Iowa Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Advisory Council - Southeast Iowa Region. Bower was elected by the Southeast Iowa, District 9 region as Director of the Iowa Association of School Boards and held that position for three years. Bower and his wife Karen are members of the Wesley United Methodist Church and are trained Stephen Ministers and Stephen Minister Leaders.

'As a board member, Bower will ask the necessary questions, focus on the financial soundness of the district, and support efforts to improve and solidify learning programs. He believes all individuals are lifelong learners. We also need to be progressive to meet the education needs of our youth so they are ready to meet the needs of the 21st century,” stated a news release from Bower.

Bower said his long-term focus is to continue improving and expanding the school district programs geared toward elevating the graduation rate and preparing students to be career ready, no matter what career or path the students determine to pursue. Bower noted that some of those programs are established at the elementary school level to raise student and parent awareness and involvement, which can continue throughout the students' public-school experience.

'The district must continue to improve, as all organizations must, so that the students will be prepared to meet the demographic and technological changes they will encounter after completing this part of their educational experience,” he said. 'The education system is changing for all involved. Financial constraints and staffing changes offer continued opportunities for improvement. All must participate and be actively part of these changes to identify the optimal solutions.”