Bedford School Board to Staff Tables, Tech Help at Open Houses to Boost Visibility

The Bedford School Board on Aug. 25 agreed to staff tables at school open houses this fall and asked district administration to circulate specific invitations and times to board members. The board also discussed a pilot idea — a tech help desk at open houses to assist parents with PowerSchool, Google Classroom and other systems.

Board Chair Sue Ginato said board members last year “decided if we were available to just try to attend the open houses and have a table there just to be present, meet some parents, answer any questions,” and that the schedule has been updated to reflect a high school date change. Ginato directed administration to circulate the schedule and who will represent each school.

Superintendent Mike Fournier and business administrator Lisa Ambrosio told board members principals can set up tables and that administration will send invitations so the board isn’t reliant on minutes postings to know event dates. Assistant Superintendent Tom (last name not specified in the meeting transcript) and several board members said one or two board members at each event is preferable to avoid creating a quorum.

Board member Andrea Campbell described a related idea that she shared with principals: a tech support station at open houses staffed by tech educators to help families with PowerSchool and Google Classroom. Lisa Ambrosio said some schools already plan similar support and principals were receptive.

Board members volunteered to cover specific schools; Ginato asked that Marybeth (district administrative staff) circulate final assignments and times. Student representative Andy Nugent was invited to attend the high school event.

The board framed the effort as outreach and visibility rather than a formal meeting or policy change. Board members said the presence helped staff and parents connect and allowed board members to learn more about school programs and needs firsthand.

Looking ahead, Ginato said administration will send calendar invitations with the assigned board representative and the start/end time for each open house.