Rich Stowell holds multiple leadership roles within the regional educational landscape, serving as the communications director for Alpine School District and as the Chief of Staff for Aspen Peaks School District. His work involves managing public communications, overseeing mentorship initiatives, and assisting families as they navigate shifting district boundaries.
In his capacity as the Chief of Staff for Aspen Peaks School District, Stowell has been a key voice regarding the upcoming reorganization of local school boundaries. As Alpine School District prepares to split into three new districts in the fall of 2027, families living along the boundaries have faced questions about whether they will be able to remain in schools that will then be outside their district. In response to these concerns, Stowell has noted that parents will essentially be able to choose their schools, irrespective of district boundaries, and that current Utah law protects these rights. He has stated that the two new districts are expected to adopt Alpine District's current process for managing those requests and that the district will keep parents informed as they develop procedures.
Stowell's influence extends into teacher development through his work with the Alpine School District. During the Show Up for Teachers event, a collaborative conference focused on educator wellness, Stowell highlighted the importance of the district's new mini-mentorship program. This program, which was created by the group of teachers, Show Up for Teachers, and Alpine School District, paired 30 future educators studying at Utah Valley University with experienced teachers from Alpine School District. Stowell noted that the district is proud of the expertise its teachers bring to this program and is honored to help extend and enhance that expertise by networking with future teachers.
In his role as Director of Communications for Alpine School District, Stowell has also focused on digital transparency and resource accessibility for families. The district has earned the Partners in Learning Certificate from the Sutherland Institute, a recognition for school districts that excel at making their websites parent-friendly, specifically regarding how they share information about curriculum. Stowell has stated that parents are the district's partners and that the district is committed to maintaining maximum transparency about what students are learning and how decisions are made regarding teaching materials. This commitment to transparency includes meeting requirements for curriculum accessibility, such as having a dedicated webpage for curriculum and organized information by grade-level and subject online.
Through these various roles, Stowell's work touches many aspects of the local educational experience, from the high-level administration of district splits to the direct support of future educators and the digital interface used by parents to stay informed about their children's studies.
What this means for Alpine
For Alpine residents, Stowell's work means that information regarding school district changes and curriculum transparency is being prioritized. As boundaries shift in 2027, his role involves ensuring that families understand their legal right to choose schools and that the district maintains clear, accessible digital resources for parents to monitor student learning.
