The Board of Directors of Kansas City Public Schools will introduce the finalists for superintendent of schools in a public forum on Thursday.
Ronald Taylor and Mark Bedell will speak and answer questions from 5:30-7:45 p.m. at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts.
Taylor is superintendent of Willingboro Township Public Schools in Willingboro, New Jersey. He has worked in public K-12 education for more than 20 years.
Bedell is the assistant superintendent for high schools at Baltimore County public schools in Towson, Maryland.
KCPS Board of Education Chair Jon Hile said he is very pleased with the two final candidates being considered for the superintendent position.
Aside from their reputations of building successful programs and creating positive reform, Hile continued to mention why these two men are in the final discussions for the job offer.
"The other thing I think we liked about both these gentleman is that they brought a diverse background. Both have worked in small school districts and in very, very large school districts,” Hile said. “We think that's an asset as well.”
Hile also said that community feedback will affect the board’s decision.
"We will bring each candidate in. We're going to give the public a chance to engage with them, to question them, to hear their vision for [what] the Kansas City Public Schools is and what it could be. We feel it's an essential part of this process,” said Hile.
The search for superintendent for the school district began in July 2015. The board received more than 70 applicants. The KCPS board of directors will review feedback from the public forms. The new superintendent is expected to take post on July 1.
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