Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran School Welcomes David Bowden

When David Bowden got a call from’s pastor telling him about an opening they had for the school’s principal, he was immediately interested.

In Florida since 1982, Bowden has worked for the State Education Department as a consultant on migrant education, as the Tampa Director of ITT Technical Institutes, and in China, where he and his wife taught English to elementary school students.

Bowden said he thought the position sounded interesting and challenging and accepted the offer.

“We’re in a highly competitive educational environment,” he said. “I want families to know that Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran School has a solid foundation for the future for our pre-K to eighth-grade school.”

Bowden prepared for a career in education at the State University of New York where he obtained a master’s degree in Educational Administration in 1970. His first administrative position after teaching and coaching soccer, track and wrestling was at the Weedsport High School—his alma mater.

Bowden said there is much work ahead as he gets ready for the new school year.

“We want to maximize our good facilities and our outstanding staff and curriculum—to share all this with as many students as possible.”

The school currently has an enrollment of 85 students with the capacity for 200. Students are not all congregation members but come from Baptist, Presbyterian and Catholic families. Bowden said he is ready and eager to serve.

“I’ll be available to parents 24/7, and they’ll see me in the car line and at all student events.”

Religious studies are offered daily, with formal classes taught by Pastor Meyer three times a week. 

“Our approach to religion is non-denominational, so that a Baptist, Presbyterian or Catholic family would be comfortable at our school,” Bowden said.

The curriculum is not pre-packaged; school administrators and teachers are given the freedom to identify the best possible math, science and English textbooks.

When asked about how the theory of evolution is presented, Bowden had this to say: “Our key belief is that God is creator, and that because we were not there when He created the world, we don’t know what methods He used, but He was responsible for all creation; we do talk about evolution and other viewpoints, but we do not accept the young earth approach.”

Bowden said he will work to ensure that families feel safe in their decision to send their kids to Christ Our Redeemer and that the school is a dependable educational organization.

“We want to promote our presence to the community and be open and available to the public,” he said.