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Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Expected To Be Named By Midweek

Courtesy photo
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Kansas City Public Schools

Kansas City Public Schools is one step closer  to picking a new superintendent.

KCPS board chairman Jon Hile says the board met behind closed doors for 90 minutes Monday and reviewed feedback from last week’s forumwhere the two finalists each answered questions for an hour.

Hile says to expect an announcement no later than Wednesday.

"I expect to have something more in the next 24 to 48 hours," he says.

After someone is chosen, the next step is to enter into contract negotiations, Hile says.

The job pays between $210,000 and $250,000 a year.
Both finalists are from the East Coast.

Ron Taylor is the superintendent in the Willingboro, New Jersey, district. He’s been a finalist for two other top jobs in the past three years. At the forum last week, he called Kansas City "a destination job" and stressed his commitment to staying in Kansas City should he get the job.

Mark Bedellhas been an assistant superintendent in the Baltimore County District for the past four years. He began his career in Houston.

He also said he wants to make Kansas City his home.

He said, "When was the last time you had a superintendent put three kids into the Kansas City school system? If that's not commitment, what is?" 

The district has been looking for a superintendent since Steve Green unexpectedly left last May to lead the DeKalb County School District in suburban Atlanta.

Sam Zeff covers education for KCUR. He's also co-host of KCUR's political podcast Statehouse Blend. Follow him on Twitter @samzeff.
 

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