Board accepts $12,102 donation for library furniture; receives enrollment and discipline updates

The Bedford School Board on Dec. 8 voted to accept an anonymous donor gift of $12,102.22 to purchase flexible library furniture, a donation routed to the BEF and brought forward by Peter Woodbury. The board approved the donation by voice vote.

Administrators also presented December enrollment numbers showing elementary enrollment up 7, the high school down 8, for a net decline of one student; the superintendent said he would correct spreadsheet inconsistencies identified by a board member before final reports are filed.

November discipline data presented to the board included multiple incidents across Bedford High School and Lurgio: in-school suspensions for cutting class and inappropriate behavior, out-of-school suspensions for possession/under-the-influence incidents and cell-phone defiance (one episode involved students videotaping each other in a bathroom), and a substantiated bullying investigation at Lurgio. Administrators said they would confirm counts and follow up as needed.

The board also approved meeting minutes from Nov. 24 and Dec. 1 and the manifest for Dec. 9 by voice vote. During short subjects the board noted winter sports were underway and recognized Curry Pope as Teacher of the Month.