Three candidates vie for two seats on Bethlehem Central School District board; forum centers on safety, special education and redistricting

Three candidates for two open seats on the Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education — Susie Barber, John Walston and Bob Tietjen — answered questions at a League of Women Voters forum at Bethlehem High School. The candidates discussed school safety, services for students with disabilities, start times, the state budget "hold harmless" proposal and planned elementary‑school boundary changes, among other topics.

The forum, moderated by Margie Skinner of the League of Women Voters of Albany County, drew sustained attention to school safety and district responses after recent incidents. John Walston, a three‑year incumbent on the board, said the district has been "doing a very effective job" on safety and praised the relationship with local police: "We're very blessed to have a really great relationship with the SROs and the police department," he said. Candidates noted physical security work already underway, including hardened entrances and a door‑monitoring system, and emphasized budgeting and contract limits when discussing adding School Resource Officers (SROs).…