February Forums Set On Bedford Schools' Long-Range Plan

BEDFORD, NY — Bedford school officials have scheduled a second round of community forums as they work on developing a long-range plan for the district's schools. The forums are meant as events where residents of the district can share their opinions and ideas.

News at the beginning of the school year that officials were considering whether to close an elementary school in the face of significant declining enrollment has sent controversy swirling throughout the community. Bedford serves students in Bedford, Mount Kisco, Pound Ridge and parts of New Castle and North Castle.

What the district is doing is long-range planning. They're doing it for two main reasons, officials said: wishing to respond to three demographic studies in the past five years that all show the same thing, and wishing to avoid a repeat of the divisive fiscal crisis of 2015-16. The planning process is meant to answer big and difficult questions, including what's the best way to serve students and what's the best way to use the taxpayer's money. "How should BCSD schools be structured in the future to provide the best education for the dollars, resources and facilities we shall have?"

School officials have a fiduciary responsibility to engage in long-range analysis and planning, they said.

The second round of community forums will all take place in the theater at Fox Lane High School:

• 4 p.m. Feb. 10
• 7 p.m. Feb 10
• 10 a.m. Feb. 11
• 4 p.m. Feb. 11
• 7 p.m. Feb. 11

The forums will be led by the district's consultant, Dr. Dale Mann, the managing director of Interactive, Inc. Mann will share information and data received to date and conduct a Q&A, officials said.

District officials put a set of FAQs online after the fall forums. They address the issues brought up by members of the community, including estimated savings, class sizes, transportation costs, and what the district could do with the money. They include alternatives such as the status quo or moving 6th grades to the elementary schools and re-configuring Fox Lane Middle School. They also address accusations of secrecy and inaccurate data.

"While the district has not decided to close an elementary school and, in fact, has made no decisions; we must deal in facts," officials said.

Winter 2020 FAQs will begin after this new round of forums, officials said.

Using information from the February forums and their analysis of the demographic studies and data, the consultants are expected to prepare recommendations. The Board of Education will publicly discuss those in March, determine a course of action, and solicit community feedback.

SEE:

• Letter: BCSD School Closure Study Wastes Taxpayer's Money
• Forums Are This Week On Bedford's Long-Range Plan
• Bedford Parents Speak Out About School Closings
• Bedford District Officials Consider Consolidating Schools