Superintendent
Dr. Trent Bowers has served as superintendent of Worthington Schools since 2014, bringing more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, coach, principal, HR director, and district leader. A graduate of Worthington Schools himself, he leads with the philosophy Be Kind to Kids and is recognized for his relational, transparent, and student-centered leadership style.
During his tenure, the district has grown by 1,700 students, passed multiple operating and capital levies, and launched a $320 million Master Facility Plan to rebuild and modernize schools. He has guided complex boundary changes, shifted start times to align with pediatric research, and built strong public-private partnerships with regional employers and higher education institutions.
Dr. Bowers is known for combining vision with practical systems reform. He emphasizes transparent communication, community trust, and aligning structures to serve students first.
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Key Accomplishments:
- Provided positive leadership and helped lead a student-centered culture.
- Led the creation of a Worthington Schools Mission and Vision and partnered with the Board of Education to develop key strategic priorities.
- Skillfully managed student enrollment growth of 1,700 additional students by adding classroom space, changing attendance boundaries and school configurations.
- Engaged the community through open meetings, morning coffees, conversations in resident homes, social media and online feedback opportunities.
- Secured $36 million dollars in additional yearly operating revenue for the school district through successful tax levies in 2018 and 2022.
- Fostered community support for a permanent improvement levy generating over $4 million yearly for facility maintenance and enhancements.
- Built a three phase 15 year Master Facility Plan to build, renovate and modernize Worthington School buildings. Secured $320 million in revenues to build phases one and two.
- Created public-private partnerships with Worthington Industries, Honda of America, Abbott Laboratories and Columbus State Community College.
- Restructured Administrative positions district-wide to create greater support for schools and an overall cost reduction in administrative positions.
- Successfully shifted all school start times to allow middle and high school students to begin school after 8:30 A.M. and meet the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for secondary school start times.