The Bedford City Board of Education voted 5–0 on Dec. 18 to approve a resolution to join the new United Athletic Conference, a multi‑district partnership leaders described as encompassing athletics, academics and extracurricular competitions.

Superintendent Doctor Johnson and district athletic staff said the initial membership includes Bedford, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, South Euclid, Lyndhurst, Warrensville Heights and Youngstown. The superintendent said district leaders had pursued inclusion in existing conferences without success and that local districts formed the new conference to preserve neighborhood rivalries and coordinate athletics, leadership development, band and academic competitions.

Athletic staff described likely scheduling formats (for football, a mix of league and non‑league contests to arrive at a 10‑game season) and said the district will continue to schedule non‑conference opponents. Board members asked whether membership would expand; administrators said they plan to continue outreach to recruit additional schools and aim to grow to about 10 teams.

The resolution passed by roll call. Board members said the conference offered opportunities to highlight scholar athletes and to provide professional development and leadership training for coaches.