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Superintendent Dana Bedden exiting Richmond schools, ending contract 2 years early

Posted at 1:06 PM, Apr 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-22 18:30:36-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Public Schools has announced that Dr. Dana Bedden's term as superintendent will come to an end this summer.

The announcement came less than 24 hours after the school board met in a private, closed session Friday nightsources told CBS 6 was about Dr. Bedden's future.

Dr. Bedden took over RPS in 2014.  He got a contract extension the following year that would have kept him in his current role in school leadership until June 2019.

School board members and the city said they have reached an agreement with Dr. Bedden to end his term two years early on June 30th, 2017.

School Board Chair Dawn Page stressed families should not be concerned during this transition.

“There`s no need to be worried,” Page said.  “The board is committed to creating a positive learning environment for our students as well as the staff.”

The School Board released this statement on the decision:

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. 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.

School officials will now begin the search for a new superintendent and they will also focus on finding someone to run RPS in an interim role on July 1.

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