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Tim Bower seeks second term on Fairfield school board
Oct. 31, 2023 3:00 pm
Tim Bower is one of seven candidates for the Fairfield Community School District Board of Directors who are seeking one of the four open seats up for election on Nov. 7, whose terms will last four years.
The Union sent a candidate questionnaire to Bower, and here are his responses:
1. Why are you running for the Fairfield school board?
I am running for Fairfield Community School District Board of Education in order to support our students and all of the staff that play an integral role in the future of our community. I was born and raised in southeastern Jefferson County and graduated from Fairfield High School. My education took me from this community and provided me with a number of experiences and opportunities around the globe. As a result, I want to give back to the community and the school district that prepared me for the career path that I have been fortunate to have.
2. What qualifications do you have that would make you a good school board member?
I am currently in my first term on the Fairfield School Board and hold the position of Vice President. I was elected to three, four-year terms to the Muscatine School Board and resigned from the Board when we relocated to Fairfield. During my three terms with the Muscatine School Board, I was elected by my peers and served as president and vice president. Every year while on the Board, I have received the Annual Board 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. I was elected by the Southeast Iowa School District, District 9 region as Director of the Iowa Association of School Boards and have held that position for four years. Involvement outside of the district is very important to support public schools, but the focus is always on the Fairfield School District.
My experiences and leadership have prepared myself to understand Board policies, processes and school finance and work with Board members with different opinions so we can do what is best for the students of our district. All stakeholders in the community and district must come together as a team and work together. A good Board member listens to all stakeholders and positions on a subject and follows established policies. The most important responsibility is to make sure we are doing what is right for our students and provide the support to the staff to do so.
3. In 2021, Fairfield voters rejected a $34 million bond vote to build a new middle school and make other improvements to the district. Do you think the district should attempt another bond vote for a new middle school? If so, what should the district do differently this time around to ensure the ballot measure passes?
In order to support the goals of the district and attract families to the community, we must evaluate the needs and how a bond can help to achieve. I expect a bond referendum will be needed to support this. As far as where the infrastructure improvements are needed, that is yet to be determined. With a new superintendent being hired, the needs must be reviewed so that a short term and long-term plan can be developed. Facility improvements are needed, but the exact items are yet to be determined. In order to do this, a well-defined communication plan, stakeholders’ involvement and support that can work with all members of the community to convey the facts and reach the needed buy-in for passage.
4. An online survey of 669 Fairfield residents conducted by FEH Design earlier this year indicated that 70 percent of respondents wanted the district to downsize from four school buildings as a way to save money. Do you think the district should reduce its number of buildings, and if so, what do you want to see as the new configuration?
Based on the feedback this needs to be investigated further. In order to suggest what the configuration should be, I would need to see input from the FCSD administration and teachers. After listening to their needs, I could then suggest and discuss with the board a plan to move forward. The configuration could have a number of looks, but the users need to be deciding what it should look like. The board will need to provide the resources.
5. Fairfield's enrollment has declined by about 200 students in the last 14 years. Last school year, 114 students enrolled into the district, while 197 enrolled out, for a net loss of 83 students. What, if anything, can the school board do to reverse the decline in enrollment, and encourage more families to enroll their children in the Fairfield school district?
The Board needs to work with all members of the FCSD and the community as we are all a part of this solution and all need to work together to turn around. The community also has fewer families with children within the district boundaries. We as a board must listen to why families are not moving to the district or families chose to enroll outside of the district. There is not just one solution and a portion will always need to enroll to other districts for personal reasons. We need to work on what we control — programs, teachers, facilities, opportunities and excitement in the community.
6. What can the school board do to attract and retain quality teachers? And do you believe the district is doing a good job at retaining teachers, or does it need to improve on this front?
All of the items mentioned previously can support keeping employees within FCSD just like keeping students within the district. Improving the final position with the district is important. 83% of the district general fund dollars go to employees and teachers wages and benefits. We must work with improving the different funds so we can optimize this area. We also must make sure we have facilities that support the teacher’s ability to instruct 21st century skills needed for our students to be successful after they graduate.