Board adopts district goals through 2027; adds RAIN misconduct prevention goal

The Bedford School Board voted Aug. 25 to accept draft district strategic goals through 2027 and to add a new RAIN misconduct-prevention strategic goal as Year 1 of a three-year objective.

Superintendent Mike Fournier presented the updated goals document and noted the main numeric updates were benchmarks and targets for 2025–26. Fournier told the board the benchmark figures are three‑year averages that include the most recent year; the targets are the district’s goals for 2025–26.

Assistant Superintendent Tom earlier presented performance metrics at the previous meeting; the board discussed retaining several existing performance goals — school safety, retention, mental health and homework metrics — while phasing in RAIN metrics. Fournier said the plan is to present a fuller revision of performance metrics next year after Year 1 of RAIN.

Board members asked procedural questions about specific metrics (for example, how benchmarks are calculated). Board member Andrea Campbell moved to accept the draft goals for 2024–27 (through ’27); the motion passed with voice vote.

On a related point, board members asked about elective programs: Tom reported about 20 students had signed up for the entry-level ROTC/naval science class, and board members discussed possible future expansion if enrollment grows.