During closed session on Monday, February 28, the Sedalia School District 200 Board of Education voted unanimously to promote Assistant Superintendent Dr. Todd Fraley to the role of superintendent. He will replace Superintendent Steve Triplett, who is retiring – effective June 30, 2022.
According to a news release, Fraley earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from West Virginia University in Morgantown, W. Va. He also obtained a Master’s Degree in Education and an Education Specialist degree – both from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from William Woods University in Fulton.
He holds career continuous professional certification in K-12 learning disabilities, K-12 behavioral disabilities, K-12 special education administration, K-8 and Grades 5-12 principal and K-12 superintendent. He also has been an adjunct instructor for Lindenwood University (2017-18) and William Woods/Central Methodist University (2015-present).
School officials say he started his career in education as a substitute teacher before becoming a special education teacher at Smith-Cotton High School (1997-2003); he then served as a special education process coordinator for one school year (2003-2004). Fraley was an assistant principal at S-C High (2004-2011) and director of Whittier Alternative High School (2011-2012); from 2011 to 2018, he was principal of Horace Mann Elementary School. Fraley has been an assistant superintendent for Sedalia 200 since 2018, where his responsibilities have included safety and security; transportation; technology; food service; curriculum and the district budget.
Diana Nichols, president of the Sedalia 200 Board of Education, said Fraley’s school finance knowledge was a significant factor in his selection.
“Managing a school district budget is a challenge under the best of circumstances, but Dr. Fraley reinforced his value to Sedalia 200 over the course of the pandemic,” she said. “Through unexpected expenses due to COVID-19, federal relief funding with lots of strings attached and the uncertainties of state funding, he has proven his fiscal responsibility and ability to plan for the challenges ahead. When you combine that with his extensive background and genuine care for students and their education, we are certain that we have hired the right person to lead Sedalia 200 into the future.”
Fraley accepted his new role with “a humble heart full of gratitude.”
“The Board of Education placed their faith in giving me the opportunity to lead this district into the future and for that I am both extremely honored and thankful,” he said. “Additionally, I credit Mr. Steve Triplett for giving me the opportunity as assistant superintendent over the last four years to prove myself worthy of this distinction.”
Triplett, who has worked with Fraley for more than a decade, is pleased to hand the reins over to someone who understands the Sedalia community and its childrens’ needs.
“Dr. Fraley is not only one of the smartest people I have ever known, he is passionate about the care and education of children,” Triplett said. “All of his decisions are based on what is best for our students and what will help them build paths to a successful future.”
Fraley’s vision is to make Sedalia 200 a destination for families and educators.
Photo (Courtesy of Sedalia School District 200): Dr. Todd Fraley, who has worked in Sedalia School District 200 since 1997 and as one of its assistant superintendents since 2018, has been named superintendent, effective July 1, 2022.