Richmond County schools Superintendent Dana Bedden has confirmed his interest in a similar position in Irving, Texas.
"Recently, I was recruited for an opportunity in Texas," Bedden said in an e-mail tonight. "Given the advice of my counsel and acting in the best interest of myself and my family, I responded and submitted my credentials in January. As part of the selection process, Texas school officials conducted a site visit at the RCSS this past week.
"I have received no offers nor made any decisions regarding my future as Superintendent."
Although Bedden's e-mail does not mention Irving specifically, he said in an education blog on The Dallas Morning News Web site today that he had applied for the superintendent's job there and that officials from the Irving district visited Augusta on Monday.
"I was recruited as a candidate," the blog quoted him saying. "They're doing their due diligence to make a decision, and that's what's going on."
Bedden has been in Tempe, Ariz., this week attending an education conference. Although officials with the Irving Independent School District have refused to provide a list of candidates for their superintendent job until a "lone finalist" is named at a Thursday night meeting, The Morning News blog says that acting Superintendent Neil Dugger might also be in the running.
As for the Irving officials' visit to Augusta Monday, three Richmond County school board members confirmed today that they had met with three Irving board members Monday to discuss Bedden.
"We were truthful and answered their questions, but we did say we'd like to keep him ourselves," said board member Helen Minchew.
Minchew said three school board members from Irving attended the meeting, and she said Bedden had asked her to be present. Board members Barbara Pulliam and Jack Padgett also said today that they were at the meeting. Board president Marion Barnes was also present, Minchew said.
The Irving Independent School Distict in suburban Dallas has been looking for a new superintendent since last year when their leader retired. The district's board of trustees will have a called meeting Thursday night to name its choice.
Wow, they need to do everything they can to keep him.....He walks on water.
Think how expensive it will be to run ads, interviews, and run the school system during the interim of his potential absense. Yes... do everything to keep him!
baloney, the guy's only been here 2 years...all he's done is not screw up...let him go, along with his "bonus" or "performance" payments for just doing the job for which he was hired
When someone is dealing with our children there can be alot said for not screwing up.
We need to do what we can to keep Dr. Bedden!!!
It's really sad that whenever a good force comes to Richmond County, it doesn't take long for someone to try to steal them away. In many cases it's not very hard to do, because the only ones who stay with RC are the ones who aren't employable anywhere else. The citizens of RC have ruined their own home, because of the elected officials they put into office. Blame yourselves for your misgivings.
If my employer found out I was interviewing for a job with another company I would be GONE in an instant. The same should be for this guy. Just like any other beaurocrat, this guy is easily replaced, likely for far less money. As a parent of a Richmond County Schools student, I can't see any difference in the schools with this guy here over the last overpaid superintendent. Go to Texas now and take a few other non essentials with you....namely every council member and the city administrator.
Bedden goes to the HIGHEST bidder--come on you supporteers---what's "yo" bid? Come on guys and girls, point out just 5 great things he has done, heck, just point out two!!!!!! GEEZ!!
That's why he's under a contract. They can fire him, but they still have to pay him. And when they offered less money when Larke left, nobody would take the job. RC does not have a good reputation.
Reminds me of a former fire chief.......{~lot's of laughs ~}
Come on, where are all the Bedden worshipers? Tell me of all his miraculous accomplishments over the last two years!
glass, you seem to be enjoying this a bit too much. Personal agenda?
Told ya! From my previous post: Beden will leave. Who could blame him? Parents want him to perform miracles, yet they challenge him at every turn and aren't willing to make any changes with themselves or their children. He is the expert. Isn't that why he was hired? Then why keep disagreeing with him and always telling him he is wrong and refuse to try any remedy he proposed? Make up your minds.
Augusta, a day late and behind the times, as usual. Good luck to him and his family. Pity the person who replaces him. Y'all want real solutions, but when someone delivers them to you, y'all "kill the messenger". Or did you really only want to hire a "yes man"? What a "one horse" town.
Well maybe someone will step up to the plate and fill his shoes. I'm sure someone has been paying attention.
"He didn't do anything wrong, but he didn't improve anything,... Dr. Bedden wasn't around long enough to make improvements....calling the superintendent a grasshopper for moving from job to job."
That was Pennsylvania's reaction to Bedden coming here.
Augusta was never a destination for Bedden, just a place to hang out til he found something more lucrative. This is what should be expected of "professionals" who make a habit of attending every conference or seminar that suits their schedule.
Bedden's wife probably got ticked that he wasn't going to get that bonus and told him to start looking somewhere else.
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