Kenneth W. McFarland was an American educator, public speaker, and conservative commentator. Born in Caney, Kansas, he served as a public school superintendent in Coffeyville, where he founded the McFarland Trade School, and later in Topeka.
His historical significance stems from his role as superintendent of the Topeka school system during the landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education. The existing summary notes he was reportedly a staunch supporter of the political and racial status quo of the time, placing him at the center of a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement.
The name Kenneth McFarland has appeared in recent news headlines, but these refer to different individuals. Multiple obituaries from late 2024 and early 2025 reported the deaths of other men named Kenneth McFarland in Ohio and Oregon.
Separately, a person named Kenneth McFarland was featured in headlines in late 2025 regarding an arrest. News reports described a pastor by that name being charged with child cruelty in an alleged assault involving a power cord. This appears to be a separate, contemporary figure and not the historical educator.
Latest related news
- Pastor Charged With Child Cruelty After Allegedly Beating Stepson With a Power Cord - ChurchLeaders 2025-11-21 01:47 · ChurchLeaders
- Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Arrested for Hitting Stepson with a Power Cord Till He Bled - The Roys Report 2025-11-20 08:48 · The Roys Report
- Kenneth McFarland Obituary - Salem, OR - Dignity Memorial 2025-01-14 16:00 · Dignity Memorial
- Kenneth McFarland Obituary (1964 - 2024) - Hartford, OH - Mahoning Matters - Legacy | Obituary 2024-12-28 16:00 · Legacy | Obituary
- Kenneth McFarland Obituary (2024) - Hartford, OH - Galloway-Onstott Funeral Home - Legacy | Obituary 2024-12-28 16:00 · Legacy | Obituary
- Kenneth James Mcfarland - J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home 2024-08-08 15:00 · J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home
- The death has occurred of Kenneth McFarland RUC GC (Tandragee) - Armagh I 2024-08-06 15:00 · Armagh I
- Kenneth McFarland Obituary (1936 - 2024) - Kansas City, MO - Kansas City Star - Legacy | Obituary 2024-07-13 15:00 · Legacy | Obituary
- Roberta McFarland Obituary - Wheat Ridge, CO - Dignity Memorial 2024-04-26 15:00 · Dignity Memorial
- Charles McFarland Obituary - Kansas City, KS - Dignity Memorial 2023-09-11 15:00 · Dignity Memorial