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 By Patrick Tepoorten
“This is a very emotional and trying time for us,” said Rush City
School District Superintendent Vern Koepp Monday morning,
responding to the revelation that high school teacher and coach,
Timothy Alan Bowland, 39, had been accused of sexual assault by a
student.
According to Koepp, the district was first made aware of an allegation
by a 17-year-old female student last Thursday afternoon, Jan. 17
The district contacted the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office and the
Minnesota Department of Education immediately.
Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation at
the district the following morning, and made the decision to arrest
Bowland shortly after 12:30 p.m. According to Chief Deputy Bob
Shoemaker, Bowland was transported to the Chisago County Jail and
booked for third degree criminal sexual assault charges.
Shoemaker was not aware of any other potential victims, and the investigation is ongoing. Bowland remains in custody.
Koepp stated that Bowland, an employee of the district since 2004 and a
high school social studies teacher, head wrestling coach and assistant
football coach, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the
outcome of the investigations, and is not to have any contact with
students or be on school property. Koepp also stated that Bowland was
made aware of that before he was transported.
Currently, there are three investigations underway. That of the
Sheriff’s Office, one by the Minnesota Department of Education, and an
internal investigation by the school district, which is being handled
by the district’s legal counsel.
While the Sheriff’s investigation is focused on the possibility of
criminal actions, Koepp said the two other investigations are focused
primarily on whether any “moral or ethical violations” occurred.
Pending the outcome of any of the investigations, the school board
could decide to continue Bowland’s leave with pay, approve a leave
without pay, or choose to either reinstate or dismiss him. But Koepp
stressed that the district does not necessarily have to wait for a
trial outcome to take action. “When at any point there is solid ground
to stand on, the school board can make a decision,” he said.
In the meantime, Koepp said the district is going through a difficult
time. “The victim and the faculty member are people we care about,” he
said, adding that it was a “very challenging situation.”
As to the circumstances the district finds itself in, Koepp said,
“While we place a high priority on student and staff safety and
privacy, and we will be as forthcoming with information as we can,
there is a lot we can’t disclose,” and added that the district intends
to cooperate fully with investigations.
According to Sheriff Todd Rivard, it is believed Bowland will have his
first court appearance on Tuesday morning, but due to the holiday, it
is uncertain if that is the case.
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