Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell takes over on July 1. The Board of Directors formally accepted the agreement on Wednesday.
Before his arrival, 41 Action News traveled to Baltimore County in Maryland to learn more about the man who will be at the helm of the district responsible for about 16,000 students.
Previous story: KCPS names Mark Bedell as new superintendent
Bedell started the day speaking to elementary special education teachers about his story. A Rochester, New York, native, he was raised by a drug-addicted mother and step-father.
In his presentation, he remembered his mother being forced to prostitute for drug money to support their habit.
The new superintendent remembers his second grade teacher telling him that he was dumb, ugly and would never amount to anything. That was the moment he dropped out of school.
"I want our kids to believe," Bedell said. "I want them to truly believe through hard work and support you can overcome and all of the mistakes that you've made, those become learning blocks for you."
That is what made him who he is and inspired him to change the face of public education.
Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell takes over on July 1
"I wouldn't say that's like my father, but that's my big brother:" Mark Bedell's mentee talks about their relationship
Talking to students is something Bedell does regularly. During a speech at Dundalk High School, he shared his personal story and it got the attention of senior Gary Moore.
"It was like flashbacks kept popping in my head because his story is similar to everybody's story that lives around here," Moore said.
Bedell noticed something.
"When I finished many of the students applauded and there was one young man and I looked and he had his head down and he was crying," he said.
Moore remembered, "He pulled me to the side and he wanted to know what was going on so we walked over here and we sat down on the couch and I was telling him I don't have any food in the house," Moore recalled. "I can't wash my clothes. I'm down bad right now. I'm thinking about robbing somebody. I need something. I need to eat."
That day, Bedell talked to Gary for an hour and convinced him not to go through with his plan. Then, he connected the football player with other teachers who could be a resource. From that point forward, Bedell became Gary's mentor.
"He understands more. We've been through the same stuff. We've been down the same road just with different experiences," Moore said. "I wouldn't say that's like my father, but that's my big brother for real and I appreciate him."
Moore will graduate from Dundalk in May and pursue a technical certification in electrical engineering.
"I was able to reach Gary and Gary's been doing wonderful," said Bedell. "He's been doing phenomenal."
A Baltimore County parent shares her interactions with Mark Bedell
Renee Kimmel has a son who recently graduated from a Owings Mills High School.
The former leader of the parent organization was there at a time when his son's school had some issues, so she was referred to Bedell.
"He took my emails. He took my phone calls. He came to a parent meeting one night when I asked him to speak to a group of parents," Kimmel said.
Since then, the school has turned around.
Kimmel credits much of that success to Bedell and the time he spent working to make things better.
"He has a story to tell. He has had quite a life and when you learn his story, it really helps you understand why kids matter so much to him and why their success matters so much to him," she said. "I just think he's going to do an outstanding job and he's ready to be a leader for this school system. I know that we're so sad we're losing him in Baltimore County, but I think Kansas City is really lucky."
"He has a story to tell. He has had quite a life and when you learn his story, it really helps you understand why kids matter so much to him and why their success matters so much to him," said Renee Kimmel.
Mark Bedell's track record
41 Action News asked Bedell about his plan to bring KCPS to full accreditation.
He first praised the work of former superintendent Stephen Green and interim superintendent Al Tunis.
Bedell said he does not have a magic potion, but he what his goals are
"Getting in and helping people develop a level of trust, being authentic and letting people know that I'm willing to lead by example, that works. Rolling your sleeves up, getting in the trenches and never losing perspective of where you were at the time when you were in those positions," he said.
Bedell is known for lowering the drop out rate and increasing graduation rates throughout his career.
"Before Dr. Bedell came here Dundalk's graduation rate was probably around 60 or 70 percent, somewhere in that range, said Kristy Anelli, principal at Dundalk high. "This coming year I think we may actually for the first time crack 80 percent and it's because we are forced to not let these kids go."
Her counterpart, Michael Weglein, principal at Sollers Point Technical High School, added, "We've gone from about 125 to 150 certifications that students would earn in year to over 400."
"What you guys are getting is somebody who's saying, 'I'm committed to this. I'm committed to bringing my family along, I'm committed to working with the board and we've got some tough decisions to make as a community but let's make them together,'" said Dallas Dance
"I have two kids that I simply can not afford to interrupt their education anymore:" Mark Bedell says he's in it for the long haul
KCPS has seen its share of superintendents.
During a public forum for the finalists in January, a recurring question was asked surrounding how long each candidate would stay if hired.
On stage Bedell said he would be here longer than the average tenure in the district, for a simple reason.
"I have two kids that I simply can not afford to interrupt their education anymore," he said. "I want to see that they become graduates of KCPS."
The new superintendent stressed that he has been told if he excels here in KCPS, there will be other offers.
"But I have to think about my family. I have to think about my kids and I have to think about the stability of the kids in Kansas City," Bedell responded.
Baltimore County Superintendent Dallas Dance echoed that sentiment and shared, "What you guys are getting is somebody who's saying, 'I'm committed to this. I'm committed to bringing my family along, I'm committed to working with the board and we've got some tough decisions to make as a community but let's make them together.'"
Mark Bedell answers critics
Some critics argue that Bedell has never been a superintendent.
"I know that there's a learning curve and there was a learning curve when I became an assistant superintendent," said Bedell. "I've mastered that and I know I have the ability to go in and I believe I'm prepared."
In his 17 years working in education, Bedell has held multiple positions within the school system from teacher to assistant superintendent.
He told 41 Action News he knows the magnitude of the job ahead.
"I've been led by some of the best and I know that I will have a support system," Bedell said.
One of those leaders is Dance, who brought Bedell with him from Houston Independent School District four years ago.
"What I will tell people is you don't necessarily want experience in the chair of the superintendency. That's going to come. Mark being on the job one, five, 10 years, that experience is going to come. You want someone who's committed to Kansas City," said Dance. "What you guys are getting is somebody who's saying, "I'm committed to this. I'm committed to bringing my family along, I'm committed to working with the board and we've got some tough decisions to make as a community but let's make them together."
"Kansas City is getting a real jewel in education and I don't put my name on much but I put my name and my career on Mark Bedell," Dance added.
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Dia Wall can be reached at dia.wall@kshb.com.
