Bedford County board adds Stewartsville Elementary closure option to next meeting amid looming $2.9M shortfall
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Summary
Chair asked the board to place a plan to decommission Stewartsville Elementary on the March 12 agenda for public comment, saying doing nothing will worsen the district’s budget problems. The board gave majority consensus to include the option for public comment and a vote next week.
The Bedford County School Board on March 5 agreed by majority consensus to place a proposal to consider closing Stewartsville Elementary on the agenda for its March 12 meeting, opening the question to public comment as the district faces a projected reversion shortfall.
Chair (S1) framed the choice as stark: “Doing nothing doesn't resolve the problem. It makes it worse,” and described two options to address the projected shortfall — cutting classroom positions to meet staffing standards limits or evaluating whether closing a school could better align resources.
Under the option the chair asked the board to consider, Stewartsville Elementary would be decommissioned, kindergarten through fourth‑grade students reassigned to Goodview Elementary, and upper‑grade students redirected within the Stanton River attendance zone; the chair estimated the closure option could reduce annual expenses “from $900,000… to probably close to $1,000,000 a year in perpetuity” while avoiding long‑term capital and maintenance costs.
Board members discussed procedural next steps and requested an informational recap for the public. One board member asked for a recap and presentations to be repeated for members who had not been present for earlier hearings; another emphasized the need for a public comment period prior to any vote.
When the chair sought consensus to add the Stewartsville option to next week’s meeting for public comment followed by a potential vote, the majority indicated assent; one board member stated opposition. The board did not take a formal binding vote on closure at this work session. The item will appear on the March 12 agenda for public comment and further action.
The board’s action comes as the division projects a multi‑million‑dollar funding gap driven by reversion and other pressures. Assistant Superintendent Randy Haagler told the board the district’s current plan for set‑asides and county contributions would still leave an estimated $2.9 million gap heading into the reversion period, while maintenance and capital needs remain substantial.