Kansas City Public Schools

Dr. Bedell has served as Superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools since 2016.  Among his achievements since starting in this position and with guidance from students, parents, staff and partners, Dr. Bedell has had many accomplishments.  Dr. Bedell crafted and enacted a five-year strategic plan which placed student achievement at the center of the school system’s work, made the central office more effective and efficient, improved School Board governance, and increased staff skills and morale. He has forged innovative partnerships with Sprint and the Consulate of Mexico on behalf of students and families. Dr. Bedell has developed a mentorship program to match caring adults with about 8,000 deserving students. In partnership with Metropolitan Community College and the Full Employment Council of Greater Kansas City, he led the effort to launch a Middle College Program to give 17- to 24-year-olds who never finished school an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and enter college.

In June 2018, Dr. Bedell and the KCPS School Board created an innovative Equity Policy to direct the school system’s resources and programs so that every student has the opportunity to reach his or her greatest potential. Dr. Bedell has received many recognitions, including being named a “Superintendent to Watch” by the National School Public Relations Association and a “New Superintendent of the Year” by the Missouri Association of School Administrators. He was one of only 51 people selected to participate in the "Missouri Influencer Series" by The Kansas City Star; has been named to 435 Magazine’s Top 50 Power List as one of the most powerful people to shape the Kansas City region; and has been a keynote speaker at the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) national conference.  For Dr. Bedell, one of his most important honors came in the spring of 2018 when students from Southeast High School gave him an award of appreciation for his efforts on their behalf and for the positive impact he will have on future students.

Dr. Bedell and his family have made Kansas City, MO their home; his wife is a local attorney in the community and their three children attend KCPS schools.