Bill Foote, Bedford School Board Candidate

Bill Foote

Age (as of Election Day)

63

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Bedford School Board 3 year position

Party Affiliation

Republican, but this race is supposed to be non partisan.

Family

Lissa is my wife of 42 years, and two of my four daughters are Bedford residents. My youngest grand daughter might be attending BEEP (Bedford Early Education Program) next year! That'd make me a two generation customer of the Bedford educational brand.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

BA Chemistry DePauw University 1981. MBA Rivier College 2003

Occupation

Currently, Sales. Previously Environmental Engineer, Facility Engineer, Operations Chemist.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I am currently an incumbent on the Bedford School Board, winning my first seat in 2011. As one of my BSB roles, I also serve as BSB Liaison to both the Town of Bedford's Energy Commission and the Town of Bedford's Board of Overseers for BCTV and WBNH. I previously served several years on the Town of Bedford's Parks and Rec Commission, with my last year, 2009, as it's chair.
I am currently BSB Vice Chair and, last year, served as Chair.

Campaign website

None

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue to serve as a steady hand in a District that is returning to normal over the last 5 years of unexpected complications.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Continue our return to normalcy. Push for accelerated measurable academic growth across the District. Drive out non educational costs.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience in the role. Institutional memory. Demonstrated ability to make hard decisions.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Continue to push the District to continually improve, working collaboratively with my colleagues, as I have done over the last 12 years.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Early on, being an effective member and collaborator with my colleagues for all SB functions.
Weathered the storm that lead to the exit of our last Superintendent. Worked closely and with my colleagues to get our current Superintendent up to speed. Weathered the storm of an impactful suit by a former employee.
Covid. Weathering the rage and the fear of the community and working to deliver the best education that the Federal and State governments allowed.

As any SB member should, always being accessible.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

'Do what's right, not what's easy.'

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

In a couple months, our family will have been in Bedford for 30 years. I've been actively engaged with the Town of Bedford and the Bedford School District every year of all of those 30 years.

I'd very much appreciate being returned to the BSB on March 14.