[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6040053,"mediaKeyId","3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774","parentId",3765808,"title","Superintendent: Bedford files assurance with state on non‑discrimination after federal directive on DEI","audioSeconds",216,"startMs",2323000,"endMs",2539000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774&start=2323&end=2539","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774/thumbnail_2323000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6040053/Virginia/Superintendent-Bedford-files-assurance-with-state-on-nondiscrimination-after-federal-directive-on-DEI","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040053-14105c276d0ce85a6d34ea76b61f6927/orig.mp4?Expires=1775110041&Signature=EqSJjYHbhOVoAmaA8fFu~laYWdFdC3aTcTN~MpjIWs6vg2dC0XMiMQKzd1EhChMWIYV1bBAk7cMRz9gBeIR3cl4Yj6Fw3-ybW2qvEhBpVHiLHU71vLisk1lt4YD7uuqPv7tM4bIoe9RoF0u29ugYHnuWkP1mV0rVCI6ZOP-PMEYkCQY4m0vQ7tuCcW8AGn5rvnOw1rmzHQBXYfEvF2v2iNhxO2SDfs4EyCPYE2BxpX8rebCOpbS1CfrLK2G2mZrh-DboNgpBlYZ6jNs9gwgRtTJvmXuE~np7JcAiaC-kDVGA7U5KcLFZixpOawn3ZeIwhPYlUuulfCdjJiD-JpycfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bedford County Public Schools","date","2025-04-11T12:12:27Z","article","Superintendent Mr. DuPair told the board April 10 that Bedford County Public Schools filed an assurance letter with the Virginia Department of Education on April 7 in response to a U.S. Department of Education request arising from Executive Order 14173 (issued Jan. 21, 2025) concerning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices and compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

DuPair said the department’s request — carried out locally by the Virginia Department of Education — asked school divisions to state positions on the use of DEI approaches and to show compliance with federal nondiscrimination requirements. He noted the district’s current instructional policy (referred to in the meeting as Policy I and B, relating to teaching about controversial issues) affirms equal treatment and states that no race, ethnicity, religion, disability status or other protected characteristic is inherently superior or inferior to another.

DuPair said Bedford will continue to provide resources for students with disabilities, English learners and gifted programs, and that the district has filed an assurance letter substantiating its commitment to nondiscrimination. He told board members litigation is expected as courts address related federal executive orders and legal challenges, but that the division has taken steps to adhere to nondiscriminatory practices.

The superintendent also used his report to preview operational items: the division declared its SOL testing window will open on April 21 and run through May 16 (with retake options in the last week of school), and he listed facility projects and upcoming construction work across the division that staff will pursue during the summer.

DuPair concluded his remarks by thanking teachers and staff for the school year and said future superintendent reports will highlight progress toward the district’s strategic goals on a rotating monthly basis.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting - 4/10/2025 - 5:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Mr. DuPair told the board April 10 the division filed an assurance letter with the Virginia Department of Education on April 7 to document compliance with federal nondiscrimination requirements tied to Executive Order 14173.","taxTitle","BEDFORD CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",38254,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6040058,"Board asks staff to study elementary redistricting in Forest zone, requests plan by August",131,10653000,10784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774&start=10653&end=10784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774/thumbnail_10653000.jpg","/articles/6040058/Virginia/Board-asks-staff-to-study-elementary-redistricting-in-Forest-zone-requests-plan-by-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040058-8fd92b195f55e189f55155b1196d15ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1775110041&Signature=G1OKYVl8qZB2CL51foMpptITz~EW2xEpBrWEbTM8Z1pkMVXOH5UXSIZYO3FmoMwUUUdXDcB9jZztNQYjmFk4LsSHyTizvB0mdB-gFiQxTSSjz9eWbsskgXUkiivvmqn1JFParIBBl3fkDvhwbwvnFlj94nM5~H16NiBP2EhrmYY4nQi9iiylkLFXT-yaSTRIdePWvOLqWcHiPF5gsy3p~5VIeRqnhCsdlD53RhvzAWefZu1EZ4WLhpiMbTbQ8viMF9hEgNe7ENtOZDlL3QH0l8j5qwU99AUzaMJCQqPJlPL67gS0WZtUWdjh11fgP0PNfiJ-bgyKfwx8Z2-iyJAAmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bedford County School Board directed staff April 10 to study and prepare a comprehensive redistricting plan for elementary schools in the Forest zone, asking for steps beginning in May and a plan ready for implementation by August 2025.

The chair described capacity concerns at Forest Elementary and nearby developments that are expected to bring more students. The board noted under‑utilization at Otter River Elementary and asked staff to examine all elementary attendance areas within the Forest zone (including Boonsboro and New London) to identify feasible boundary changes.

Board members said the goal is to address crowded conditions (staff cited classroom spaces being used for nonclassroom purposes) and to develop a plan that can be discussed in May and June and finalized quickly to affect the 2025–26 school year. The board provided consensus—rather than a formal vote—directing the executive team to research redistricting scenarios, present options and a proposed timeline to the board.

Superintendent DuPair and staff were asked to return with a comprehensive plan and specific steps to implement changes beginning in August if the board approves them. Staff will examine enrollment projections, current capacity, transportation impacts and other operational considerations before presenting options to the board.","Recognizing continued residential growth near Forest Elementary and capacity strains at several schools, the board gave staff consensus April 10 to study redrawing elementary attendance lines in the Forest zone and return with a plan for potential implementation by August 2025.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6040062,"Board approves Perkins grant application; memo provided in advance",229,6783000,7012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774&start=6783&end=7012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774/thumbnail_6783000.jpg","/articles/6040062/Virginia/Board-approves-Perkins-grant-application-memo-provided-in-advance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040062-c1c0141da2bce6617733b35807b1c9a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775110041&Signature=f-Tj~gWrTi2Tvv5CVdeP8bqop6k7A8eqFKaGjFqh8~T7QQgeP4hp-ooViQajwh9Gi4RIaIHVJSmjHram89kZlRtIZoxmuzrQhka6ycZLyMYYK2MGbnY5cmoX151wWH6i-zwnDTMo~Goix~8deUuft5hr-tLkN-70Wr58e2DMEv3aVQFJA0BFB1IdZBjLgSCxvpSSpXSMKTybxwzpy~26z01yz1t5NZV9AaiBbkCl7NV6gxHsoGLBl6hCxNYk20GbwP31PdgEEQ-Py08xX2UFiLhQicG-MAenvm4CMXrHHOLTTtXrgzQcZOlgZemu76sTkgL9lqgeUZj7eN5xTwiiUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bedford County School Board voted April 10 to approve the Perkins grant application for 2025–26 after staff presented a memo with grant details.

Superintendent and staff noted the memo was circulated after the prior meeting because final grant information was not available at that time. Board member Mr. Hill moved to approve the Perkins Grant application; Mr. Daniels seconded. The chair called for a voice vote and the motion passed.

Staff did not report changes to the grant’s scope from the memo and offered to answer board questions; no substantive discussion was recorded prior to the vote.","The board voted to approve the Perkins grant application after receiving an informational memo. The motion passed by voice vote April 10.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6040068,"Finance staff warns of possible $1.4M shortfall; nutrition fund operating at a $525,000 loss",657,2893000,3550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774&start=2893&end=3550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774/thumbnail_2893000.jpg","/articles/6040068/Virginia/Finance-staff-warns-of-possible-14M-shortfall-nutrition-fund-operating-at-a-525000-loss","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040068-0a4839106d1cc7e667761cd0b883acf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775110041&Signature=LtcEkpW808nELPJPNm3F0OOzEyYfiZMiplvrNNC9~Fw7Tpz-XuN6LHGy~YB7qfP9WPtHfZAJ--JzZxATCi86nbajAzzaM9DAeZJO3cMkDjTcDBIBenMzAWSosFA7WQiYUvjSOBSmVi1WoenpfjyPVL5wuHcJujfM-KJikZRh3F3wHt7OxU28DvU3QPewuvB~F4lF1h2d5ac8DM7ConOLQXxeCdm3mGW~IrbBVTVdGEmXzxgfvNIl-EsMPeE46-1Vup-~ubtgjay3a8If60ZwxfCQ7MZC2op3sz3TpNQT1ZysauqH1I5Rb9qKE-5AIgQjXrQsKZDpMTsTLGBKlOAfHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bedford County School District finance staff presented a third‑quarter forecast April 10 that projects a potential $1.4 million gap between revenues and expenditures if pending county and state budget actions do not materialize.

Finance presenter (Mister Hagler) told the board he built expected state supplemental revenues and a $1,000 employee bonus into his forecast on the assumption the Virginia General Assembly’s budget is ultimately enacted. The forecast incorporated an assumed state contribution (not yet fully finalized) and county support; if those revenues are delayed or reduced, staff said the district will face a budget shortfall that would require expenditure cuts.

Hagler said the operating fund projects an ending balance of roughly $600,000 after factoring in the assumed revenues and a planned $1,000 bonus for employees, but he cautioned that the projection rests on the governor and General Assembly finalizing the budget. He identified roughly $2.7 million under instructional budget projections before adjusting for one‑time “all‑in” state funds that must roll into next year. He warned the board that, absent new revenues, “expenditure cuts” would be required and presented a menu of options the finance committee had discussed.

Board members focused particular attention on the nutrition fund, which Hagler said is running a net deficit of about $525,000 this year. Staff said inflation and meal program reimbursement formulas have strained the fund; the division is already planning staffing reductions (about 12 positions proposed for next year) and reassessing meal pricing. Hagler and board members noted that some federal and state grant rules and “strings attached” to certain meal zones affect calculations and price recommendations.

The finance presenter also described a proposed category transfer (approximately $400,000) from other operating categories into maintenance to cover higher‑than‑expected maintenance costs—electrical work alone was estimated at $225,000 more than anticipated. The board discussed timing and agreed further action would return to the board once final county and state figures were known.

Board members asked about process and accountability for material purchases tied to the math textbook adoption and for ensuring manipulatives and other materials are used rather than stored. Superintendent DuPair and staff described planned principal inventories, administrator observations and vendor training as part of implementation oversight.

No formal budget revision was approved at the meeting; Hagler said he expects staff to return with finalized recommendations when county and state budgets are final and proposed a May timeline for revised budget review.","Finance director presented a third‑quarter forecast showing a potential $1.4 million deficit depending on county and state budget actions. The nutrition fund is running a $525,000 loss for the year; board members discussed price and staffing options and possible transfers to maintenance.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6040073,"Bedford schools approve new K–12 math textbooks; committee cited Virginia alignment",4163,2889000,7052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774&start=2889&end=7052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3765808-16dc765901818fb288dbd31d886ec774/thumbnail_2889000.jpg","/articles/6040073/Virginia/Bedford-schools-approve-new-K12-math-textbooks-committee-cited-Virginia-alignment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6040073-e647abf1b0a16e378d15acf6dafec95e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775110041&Signature=I721~F6oYvOEOnFeV3UjZQrXOohVbTva1HvYIO7xZbf0xtwtdtKJjL7nlCrbp4EknZkeg6MqNUKhFQeYdGQEELqePkMP9FHl8E93Arf2hbOr62Bm4W3Sr2HBzQ5VHOeXiUeozwFem5m7JSAN3EpdrZprX1xexjL3FXkbbyKZMXzEqFIMY~PgAX3ljHA0P15~9w8rWNrVR7Yu9uQMfQSQPV7rNWTOm8ZEzUoP3eHXzjVzZ97hzqEt34Avdr~8p29-~dLOphnxPTFwY7yLMotncEGSZqykn7ymSXbpMU~n7vmaVJEucRIdffiuKzNGCJLPGXzJY5NRIfgwTkunD-4aFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bedford County School Board voted April 10 to adopt two new math textbook programs: Kiddom Virginia Math for kindergarten through grade 5 and Mathspace Virginia for grades 6 through Algebra II.

Board members voted to approve the adoption after a presentation from Dr. Sean Prosper and Audrey Bowyer, who led the division’s textbook committee. The committee convened in November 2024, reviewed vendor presentations and sample materials, and extended community and teacher review periods in February and March before making its recommendation.

The committee emphasized alignment to the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) as the top criterion. Officials presented an alignment analysis produced by the consortium (CIP) using Virginia Department of Education documents; that report showed Kiddom and Mathspace demonstrating the strongest alignment across the approved list of textbooks. Committee members noted Kiddom’s sequence of print and digital resources and Mathspace’s full alignment from grade 6 through Algebra II as deciding factors.

Audrey Bowyer told the board teachers ranked “clear alignment to our Virginia SOLs” and “ease of use” among the top five features they wanted. Committee members said they received about 118 teacher responses (roughly 57% of math teachers) after extending the review window; parent and community responses were limited.

The presentation also outlined implementation expectations: the adopted resources will be the primary Tier 1 instructional materials, with teachers able to use supplemental resources only after fully using the core materials. The division plans principal-led inventories of manipulatives, summer training and earlier digital access (potentially as early as June 1) so teachers can review materials before school begins.

Board discussion addressed practical concerns including storage for K–5 consumable materials, kindergarten printing strategies (the division plans to supply digital resources and a teacher consumable for kindergarten rather than student consumables), and the need to create a process for teachers to submit vetted supplemental practice items. Presenters said some gaps identified in grade-level alignment (most noticeably in Grade 4) will be filled by locally written supplemental lessons developed over the summer.

After discussion, a motion to approve the math textbook adoption was made and seconded. The motion passed; the board chair announced the adoption was approved.

The division estimated the math adoption cost will draw down the textbook fund reserve (an earlier estimate for the adoption was approximately $1.4 million), and district staff said they are negotiating quotes to remove items already available in schools (for example, manipulatives) to manage cost.

The board and staff said further details on ordering, printing schedules and training will follow once vendors finalize production timelines.","The Bedford County School Board voted unanimously April 10 to adopt new math curricula: Kiddom Virginia Math for K–5 and Mathspace Virginia for grades 6–Algebra II. The board approved the curriculum after a committee review, teacher surveys and an alignment analysis with Virginia standards.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent: Bedford files assurance with state on non‑discrimination after federal directive on DEI

Board asks staff to study elementary redistricting in Forest zone, requests plan by August

Board approves Perkins grant application; memo provided in advance

Finance staff warns of possible $1.4M shortfall; nutrition fund operating at a $525,000 loss

Bedford schools approve new K–12 math textbooks; committee cited Virginia alignment