Garfield principal says he’s switching schools

ROGERS — Garfield Elementary School will need a new principal for its final year of operation.

Stephen Bowman, Garfield’s principal since 2011, will take over as principal of Lowell Elementary School this summer, another school within the Rogers School District.

Bowman will replace Shannon Passmore, who’s retiring at the end of the school year, according to a district news release.

The School Board voted in January to close Garfield Elementary after the 2023-24 school year. Superintendent Jeff Perry recommended the move, noting the expense of bringing the building up to code.

The school was built in 1941, with additions made in 1990 and 1996, according to information from the district. It’s by far the smallest elementary school in the district with 16,436 square feet.

Bowman was among those who lobbied the board last year to keep Garfield open or at least postpone any decision on whether to close the school.

Bowman started in the School District as a physical education teacher. He was an elementary assistant principal for six years at Northside and Old Wire elementary schools. He served an additional year as assistant principal in Bentonville before accepting the principal role at Garfield, according to the news release.

“At Garfield, Mr. Bowman has done an excellent job of building a strong school culture and increasing student achievement,” said Roger Hill, assistant superintendent for human resources. “We know he will be an outstanding addition to the Lowell community.”

Bowman earned both his bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Arkansas, according to the release.