Bedford County School Board approves amended strategic framework, school calendars and policy updates; budget shortfall flagged

The Bedford County School Board on Oct. 9 approved an amended strategic framework that revises Goal 4 (family and community partnerships) and adds Goal 5 (efficiency and effective use of resources). The board also approved the 2026–27 school calendar, the fiscal year 2026–27 budget calendar, the 2026 school-board meeting calendar and multiple policy updates presented earlier in September.

The actions were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Motions were made and seconded as follows: the motion to approve the strategic framework (agenda item 7.01) was moved by S. Hill and seconded by Miss Purvis; the 2026–27 school calendar (7.02) was moved by Miss Purvis and seconded by Mr. Holbrook; the fiscal year 26–27 budget calendar (7.03) was moved by Mr. Eshill and seconded by Dr. Holbrook; the 2026 board meeting calendar (7.04) was moved by S. Hill and seconded by Mr. Holbrook; policy updates presented Sept. 11 (7.05) were moved and seconded during the meeting and approved. The consent agenda was approved later in the meeting.

Superintendent DePere summarized the framework changes as aligning the division’s school-improvement planning with clearer goals and monthly public reporting on progress. “We will again begin to process it and explain the aspects of each individual goal and the actions taken by in each goal,” DePere said, calling the amended strategic framework “transparent and helpful.”

Finance committee member Randy Haglund told the board the district’s first-quarter financial review shows pressures ahead. Haglund said a modest decline in state revenue tied to lower-than-projected enrollment reduced expected funding by about $661,000, though increased sales-tax receipts offset some of that. He projected the operating fund ending the year modestly under budget but emphasized the ongoing risk in the self-insurance health fund and the district’s projected starting deficit of $1.8 million heading into next year’s budgeting.

Board members repeatedly tied routine approvals to that tighter fiscal context. “We are entering budget discussions in January with a projected $1,800,000 deficit,” one board member said during closing remarks, urging colleagues to be prepared to make difficult budget decisions in the months ahead.

The board also voted to enter a closed session under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia §2.2-3711 and §2.2-3712) for personnel and negotiation matters, then certified afterward that the closed meeting complied with state law.

No ordinances or contract awards were taken at the meeting. Several board members and members of the public indicated that redistricting and budget decisions will return for further review at the November meeting.