Bedford City Board approves reduction in force of teachers and multiple personnel actions

The Bedford City Board of Education on May 29 approved a resolution to implement a reduction in force of teachers by abolishing positions and suspending applicable employment contracts, a move the board recorded in a 4-0 vote.

The action, listed on the agenda as item 6.05 and tied to Exhibit EC-1, was presented by Superintendent Tom Evans, who had earlier asked the board whether it preferred separate votes on a package of personnel and administrative items. The board also approved revised administrative job descriptions, retroactive recognition and compensation tied to a March 9 interim appointment, and a replacement contract for a supervisor of communications.

The board approved three revised administrative job descriptions (item 6.01) on a separate motion that passed on roll call 4-0. It voted to retroactively recognize Paul Rosencroft as the executive director of human resources effective March 9 and to approve related compensation (item 6.02), also passing 4-0. The board rescinded a prior contract and approved a new contract for Jamar Newell as supervisor of communications (item 6.03); that motion passed on a roll call vote.

A proposed termination of nonadministrative employee Christina Hawkins, with an effective date listed in the agenda as 08/11/2025, was presented but the board voted to table that motion after discussion; the motion to table passed 3-1. The board subsequently approved a service agreement with National WebCheck to perform criminal background checks for employees and facility personnel, and approved facility-use requests for district athletic facilities, including Bearcats Stadium for local summer leagues. The board also approved renewal of membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) for district middle- and high-school athletics for the upcoming school year.

Chair remarks and roll-call votes were recorded throughout the meeting. The board concluded its public business by voting 4-0 to enter executive session to discuss personnel and pending or imminent legal matters, then adjourned into executive session; the board said no further votes would occur that night and confirmed the next meeting on June 4.

Actions recorded in the meeting packet included approvals of job descriptions and contracts, a service agreement for background checks, facility-use approvals, an OHSAA membership renewal and a resolution implementing a reduction in force of teachers. Details referenced in the meeting record include retroactive appointment dates (March 9) and an agenda-listed effective date for one proposed termination (08/11/2025).