Anne Arundel board renews Superintendent Mark Bedell’s contract after public criticism

The Anne Arundel County Board of Education voted to approve a four-year renewal of Superintendent Mark Bedell’s contract following a public comment that urged the board not to extend his term. The motion was seconded and carried after board members voiced unanimous support and recorded affirmative votes.

The decision came after virtual public commenter Christine Camonetti told the board: "It is absurd to be asked to comment on a contract you won't make public," and urged members not to renew what she called poor leadership. Camonetti listed concerns including an asserted mishandling of a student incident, alleged flaws in redistricting data that she said led to two lawsuits, and a claim that three middle schools were piloting schedules that would "lose 50% of their science and social studies instruction to meet new math requirements."

Board members responding on the dais framed the vote as an endorsement of measurable district progress under Bedell. "I could not be prouder of the board that unanimously voted to hire him and sign that contract in 2022," said Dr. Tobin, citing improvements he said included restored transportation staffing, reductions in vacancies and gains in student performance. Mr. Silkworth said he reviewed more than 40 candidates in the prior search and called the decision to hire Bedell "a great decision."

Superintendent Bedell thanked the board and described the renewal as a continuation of efforts to strengthen the district. "I'm a CEO responsible for ... 84,000 students and 12,000 or so employees," he said, adding that successes reflected the work of staff across the county. Bedell acknowledged that some pilots had failed and were discontinued, and said he plans to continue school visits and staff engagement.

The board recorded each member's vote aloud in sequence; the motion passed and the board proceeded to sign the contract. Board leadership said the superintendent contract is public record and will be posted for public access shortly after the signing. The public meeting closed and the board moved into an executive session that the board said would address personnel, legal advice and collective bargaining matters.

Context: The comment period and the contract vote occurred against a backdrop of community debate over redistricting and instructional pilots. Camonetti's assertions about curriculum and personnel handling reflect concerns raised by at least one parent during public comment; board members and the superintendent framed the vote as recognition of district-wide gains and the need to continue implementing the strategic plan.

What’s next: The contract will be posted as part of the public record, the board entered executive session on the stated personnel and legal topics, and no further public action was recorded in the transcript.