Longtime educator says time to retire

Vernell Bowen, who has been superintendent of Catholic Schools in Arkansas for 16 years and an educator for 48 years, has announced plans to retire, effective June 30.

A successor has not yet been announced.

Bowen currently supervises and supports the principals of 27 Catholic schools with a total enrollment of 6,676 students. She also serves on the Arkansas Non-Public School Accreditation Association board that accredits Catholic and other private schools.

After working for more than two decades in the Sheridan School District, Bowen in 1993 became principal of St. Edward School in Little Rock, leading to her being named National Catholic Education Association Distinguished Principal in 2001. She was appointed superintendent of Catholic schools in June 2002.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech University and a master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas, and has received training in Catholic leadership as well.

“I started work in education in 1970, at a time before computers, special-education services, and art, music and physical education teachers,” Bowen, 70, recalled last week.

“As a classroom teacher, I taught every subject.”

Two of the most significant innovations to occur during her career, she said, were the passage of the federal law that guarantees a free, appropriate