Parents press Bedford City board on student safety and record access; board advises executive session for privacy

Several parents used public comment to press the board on student-safety and administrative transparency. A parent who identified herself as Carly described an August 29 assault at Haskett Middle School and said she has not received statements explaining what happened to her child. She asked the board to provide policies and documentation.

A board member cautioned that student disciplinary matters implicate due process and cannot be discussed in public. The board instructed the parent to email a request for an executive session, with wording the board can provide, so the matter can be addressed privately and students’ rights protected. In the meeting a board member stated plainly, “We cannot talk about that in public,” and another advised the parent to request an executive session by email so the board could provide the appropriate wording.

Kelly Scott, a parent, said her daughter Jasmine was expected to be promoted from 11th to 12th grade but that communication about promotion and related timelines was inconsistent; she asked the board for clarity on procedures and policy so the family — and students seeking scholarships — can plan. The board said staff would follow up and that policy links would be posted on the district website as the site is updated.

Board members emphasized the limits of public session when personnel or student disciplinary matters are involved and described the process for requesting executive-session consideration. The board also invited parents to follow up by email or contact relevant staff directly if they had procedural questions that do not implicate privacy protections.

The meeting then proceeded to scheduled reports and votes.