My responses to the RAPS board candidate questionnaire sent via mail from the Houghton Lake Resorter. Name: John E. BowenAge: 37 yearsTelephone Number: withheld from online articleLength of Residence in District: 11 years Length of time served on this or other boards:
- Cub Scout Pack 3944 Committee: 2005-2009 - committee member (4 years), treasurer (3 years)
- Roscommon North Youth Soccer Association (RNYSA): 2006-2009, 2010-present - President (4 years+)
- Roscommon Area Youth Booster Club (RAYBC): 2010-present - Board Member (1 year+)
- Higgins Lake Boat Club (HLBC): 2008-present - Director (3 years+)
Offices held on board(s):See above Educational Background:
- Harrison Community Schools (K-12) (class of 1991)
- Lake Superior State University (B.S. Criminal Justice/Criminalistics, Chemistry Minor) (class of 1995)
- 113th Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School (1995-1996)
Occupational experience:
- Michigan State Police - Cheboygan Post - Trooper (1996-1999)
- Michigan State Police - Grayling Forensic Science Laboratory
- Latent Print Specialist Trooper - (1999-2000)
- Latent Print Specialist Sergeant - (2000-2004)
- Latent Print Unit Supervisor - (2004-present)
- Owner, Bowen Technology Services, LLC (2004-present)
Do you have children attending school here?Yes, I have two sons in the Middle School and one son in the Elementary School How have you been involved in school and community activities?I’ve made an effort to support and participate with boards and organizations that have a positive impact on the kids in our community. I’ve now coached youth soccer for 7 years, youth baseball for six of the past seven seasons, and I coached the Roscommon 5th grade boys travel basketball team this past winter. I can occasionally be found assisting my wife Stephanie with her gymnastics classes at the CRAF center in Roscommon. Steph and I also try to participate in as many community social events as our schedules allow. What do you consider the most important issue facing the board you are running to serve on?The biggest concern for me is the pending budget issue (reduction in state and federal funding sources), and trying to navigate our way through that reduction without damaging the educational opportunity available to our students. What will be your goals as a board member if you are elected or reelected?I hope, simply, to make the best possible business decisions based on the facts available at the time, with a focus on protecting the students’ educational experience. How many meetings of the board to which you are seeking election have you attended in the past year?I’ve attended four RAPS school board meetings in the past year.