News Summary
Wyandotte High School will have a new principal, Dr. Brian Guliford, starting July 2025. He succeeds Mary Stewart, who has led the school for nearly 20 years. Dr. Guliford brings extensive educational experience as he aims to continue fostering a positive environment amid rising safety concerns in the school. His appointment comes as the school community seeks improvements in student safety and well-being.
Kansas City, Missouri – Wyandotte High School is set to welcome a new principal, Dr. Brian Guliford, effective July 7, 2025. The appointment was announced by Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) on May 19, 2025, marking a significant transition for the school’s administration.
Dr. Guliford comes to Wyandotte High after nearly five years as the principal of Tempe Union High School in Tempe, Arizona. His extensive background in education includes a previous principalship at The Academies at South Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and nearly 30 years of experience in public education overall. He holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in K-12 Education Leadership, a Post-Baccalaureate in Secondary Education focusing on Social Studies, and a Doctorate in K-12 Educational Leadership.
Dr. Guliford will be taking over from Mary Stewart, who has dedicated nearly 20 years to Wyandotte High School and has been part of the Kansas City, Kansas school district for over four decades. Under Stewart’s guidance, Wyandotte High focused on fostering a sense of belonging among students and supporting their academic ambitions. She has been credited with shaping the school’s academic success and building a respectful community. As she prepares for retirement, Stewart has expressed her gratitude for the many relationships she has developed with students, parents, and staff during her long tenure.
Despite the school’s academic achievements, Wyandotte High has come under scrutiny due to recent reports of violence and safety concerns. There have been alarming incidents, including fights and gang-related activities that have impacted the school’s environment. A former school police officer reported about 140 incidents requiring police involvement within the early months of the academic year, leading to heightened concerns from parents and guardians.
Parents have voiced anxiety over their children’s safety, recounting incidents of threats and physical altercations. Some have decided to transfer their children to other schools, raising questions about Wyandotte High’s ability to provide a secure learning environment. Ongoing discussions among school officials and the community have focused on devising a proactive approach to address the escalating safety issues.
In light of these challenges, Dr. Anna Stubblefield, KCKPS Superintendent, acknowledged the complexities urban schools face regarding violence and safety. She emphasized the need for improved strategies in managing such issues, especially in schools like Wyandotte High, where the frequency of fights has drawn increased public attention and concern.
Mary Stewart recently addressed the community in an email responding to an investigative report on school safety, aiming to clarify some details that were inaccurately portrayed. Her commitment to improving student well-being and safety has been a critical focus of her leadership, especially given the recent challenges faced by the school. As Dr. Guliford prepares to step into his new role, he will face the important task of continuing Stewart’s legacy while addressing the pressing safety concerns that have surfaced at Wyandotte High School.
The transition in leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the school, which not only represents a change in administration but also an opportunity to reassess and strengthen the strategies necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of students as the community seeks improvement in the school environment.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 4 KC
- KSHB
- Kansas Reflector
- KCTV5
- KMBC
- Wikipedia: Wyandotte High School
- Google Search: Wyandotte High School news
- Google Scholar: Wyandotte High School violence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wyandotte High School
- Google News: Wyandotte High School safety
