Bedford deliberative session advances $885,100 warrant for full‑day kindergarten after extended debate; secret‑ballot attempt to zero out funding fails

Bedford School District moderators and administrators presented Warrant Article 2 on the proposal to implement full‑day public kindergarten at Peter Woodbury Memorial and Riddle Brook Elementary Schools, asking the deliberative session to consider a gross appropriation of $885,100 and noting an estimated tax impact of $0.06 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Why it matters: The article would convert half‑day kindergarten into full‑day at two elementary schools and relies on a New Hampshire start‑up grant the warrant text describes as "equal to half of the base adequacy funding" to offset first‑year costs. Supporters said the change addresses classroom time and early learning gaps; opponents questioned the timing amid declining enrollment and argued the district should find internal savings.

Superintendent Mike Fournier told the session the gross request was $885,100 and that the district expected to receive a state start‑up grant “equal to half of the base adequacy funding of $520,408…