June 28, 2024
The Bondurant-Farrar Board of Education has approved three administrative changes that will take effect on July 1 for the 2024-25 school year. We look forward to collaborating with these individuals in their new roles as we work to best support Bluejay students, staff, and families.
Drake Bailey, Assistant Principal
Bondurant-Farrar High School
Drake Bailey most recently served as assistant principal at Boone High School, a position he has held since 2019. Prior to this role, Bailey worked at Bondurant-Farrar as a 6th/7th grade teacher during the 2018-19 school year and previously held similar teaching roles in the Boone Community School District.
In the coming school year, Bailey will be joining the Bondurant-Farrar High School administrative team as an assistant principal, working alongside lead principal Mr. Garnass and assistant principal Dr. Ripperger.
Drake is a Bondurant-Farrar graduate, holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Grand View University, and has earned his PK-12 principal and director of special education licensure from Viterbo University. He will be stepping into the role previously held by Daryl Dotson, who has taken a lead principal position in another district.
Join us in welcoming Drake Bailey as he returns to Bondurant-Farrar! We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our high school students and staff.
Ben Anderson, 7-12 Activities Director
Bondurant-Farrar High School, Junior High
Ben Anderson, a 10-year veteran of the district, will transition to the role of 7-12 activities director for the coming school year. Anderson has been with the district since July 2014, serving as the lead principal of Morris Elementary, where he was instrumental in establishing a strong, positive learning environment.
Anderson brings extensive experience and passion for activities, having coached girls' basketball and multiple other sports since 1998. As the head varsity girls' basketball coach at Bondurant-Farrar High School from 2020-2024, he led the team to the regional final three out of the last four seasons and earned two trips to the state tournament.
Anderson holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa and a PK-12 principal licensure from Viterbo University. He will take over the position from Ryan Sweeney, as Sweeney transitions to a similar role in another district.
Please help us congratulate Ben Anderson on his new role as 7-12 Activities Director! We are certain his strong leadership and culture-building skills will help enhance our traditionally successful activities program.
Carrie Ratliff, Principal
Morris Elementary
Carrie Ratliff, current assistant principal of Morris Elementary, will transition to the role of lead principal for the upcoming school year.
Since July 2022, Ratliff has played a vital part in the overall administration of the school, assisting in day-to-day operations, and providing instructional guidance. Ratliff’s leadership, relationship-building skills, and strong background in special education made her an excellent fit for this role.
Before joining Bondurant-Farrar, Ratliff dedicated over two decades to the Des Moines Public School District, where she held various roles, including instructional coach and K-3 interventionist. Ratliff holds a K-12 Educational Leadership degree from the University of Northern Iowa, a master's degree from Viterbo University, and a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. Ratliff’s appointment to this role was allowed by Ben Anderson’s transition to activities director.
Congratulations to Carrie Ratliff on her new role as lead principal! We are confident that her dedication and expertise will continue to strengthen the educational experience at Morris Elementary.
