KANSAS CITY, Mo. — During Wednesday's Kansas City School Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell walked into an unexpected scene.
Students were standing in front of board members, thanking Bedell for all of his hard work.
"Without Dr. Bedell this district would be not even close to where it is today," said Omari Tatum, a senior at Southeast High School.
This is Bedell's second year with the district. Since he started, Tatum said he gained the trust of students with policies, such as changing the uniforms of security officers.
"He's changed the administration aspect at Southeast so now I am better suited to finish off my senior year," said Tatum. " He should have gotten here quicker."
During the students' presentation, Bedell tried to hold back tears. He told 41 Action News, surprises like this help drive motivation in the district.
"For kids to say the last two years they've been here have been great and they see there is a lot more hope for their siblings coming up, I mean that's the best return I can get," he said.
