Richmond Public Schools to part ways with Superintendent Bedden in June

Richmond Public Schools announced a plan to part ways with Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden over the weekend, ending the school system’s contract with their top brass two years early. His term will end on June 30th, 2017.

“Today (Saturday), the School Board of the City of Richmond announces that the School Board and Superintendent, Dr. Dana Bedden, have discussed a mutual agreement that Dr. Bedden’s term as division superintendent will end on June 30, 2017,” RPS officials said in a statement. “The parties are working to negotiate the specific terms of the separation.”

The decision was made as a full roster of all new School Board members has taken the reigns for 2017, during a time which RPS is under federal investigation for allegations of discrimination, and following the acknowledgement that the system is sitting on an $8 million budget surplus at a time when many have called for increased funding for needed upgrades and repairs to specific schools.

No official reason or reasons have been released for Bedden’s departure, however.

“The School Board thanks Dr. Bedden for his contributions to our school division and appreciates his service during the past three and a half years to our students, parents, staff and administration,” the statement continued. “We wish Dr. Bedden well. The School Board remains committed to creating the best environment for students to learn, thrive and grow. It is our intent to immediately seek new leadership that shares our vision.”

Richmond Public Schools will begin the search for a new superintendent in the coming weeks, as well as identify an interim appointee to take the helm effective July 1st, in the meantime.