Board schedules March 31 special meeting to nominate K–6 staff and high school principal; agrees moderators will choose recount observers

The Bedford School Board agreed at its March 24, 2025 meeting to hold a special meeting on March 31, 2025, at 7 p.m. to consider two items: nominations for K–6 staff contingent on the outcome of a full-day kindergarten vote, and a nomination for a Bedford High School principal.

Superintendent Mike Fournier told the board those items must be handled before the board’s regular April 14 meeting. "We have our next school board meeting not until April 14, but there's really two items of business that we need to get done," Fournier said. He explained that if full-day kindergarten passes, the district will not need to consider an elementary reduction-in-force; if it does not, the board may need to act on staff changes. Fournier also said school visits for two principal finalists were scheduled and that a nomination should be ready following those visits.

On the full-day kindergarten recount, the board heard from Sue Genado that the recount will use 10 counting stations with two counters and one observer at each station; the petitioner may appoint five observers and the board may appoint the other five. Board members discussed whether to nominate observers themselves or defer to moderators. Members agreed to let moderators and verified volunteers chosen by them fill the five observer slots to avoid last-minute replacements; the board will act as floaters and be available for ballot-read questions.

Genado said she would contact the new moderator and Bill Klein to confirm moderator-selected observers and to notify board members of their responsibilities as floaters.

A motion to add the March 31 special meeting to the calendar was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.