ATTLEBORO, Mass. The opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of the writer, not The Bedford Citizen. So far, about 1,000 of the districts 460,000 K-12 students have been able to take advantage of this tutoring, according to district figures, leading to increasing frustration among students and parents who already are beset with the challenges of learning from home. This ramping effect will promulgate an environment that challenges students across the learning spectrum. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Virginia Department of Elections > Election Results > 2021 November General > BEDFORD COUNTY Statewide General Assembly Referendums Results by Locality Statistics {JSON} Vice Mayor Chris Faraldi filed paperwork this past weekto begin the process ofplacing a referendum on the ballot for Lynchburg residents to , The University of Lynchburg has secured a three-year enrichment grant recently from the Bonner Foundation, in the amount of $40,000 annually, , The Bedford County school board convened a called work session on Tuesday to begin discussing the divisions budget, and examine projects the , While many colleges and universities struggled during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, at Virginia University of Lynchburg, the doctorate. WE WILL GET BALLOTS OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The winner is expected to take their place on the board in December, according to Kirbys statement. I believe such donations compromise ones ability to appropriately represent the taxpayers of the community who provide the actual funding for our families and their children who attend Bedford Schools. Our children deserve much better than what we have been doing for them recently, she added. There was a problem saving your notification. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The Board of Education should be directing the superintendent to look at curriculum and professional development and figure out ways to help our great teachers provide better outcomes for our children.. Here are the results in Bedford. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. The Bedford Public Schools Superintendent Carl Shultz made a comment on the schools Facebook page regarding the situation on June 5. Lowry said the district is addressing pandemic-related learning loss by using federal grant money to enhance instruction and expand summer programming. Please feel free to share this information with anyone that you see as appropriate. I think increasing staff diversity continues to be a priority.. BEDFORD, NH Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 13, to consider competitive races in both the Republican and Democrat primaries. Bedford Hills Elementary, Bedford Village Elementary, Mount Kisco Elementary, West Patent Elementary, Pound Ridge Elementary, Fox Lane High, Fox Lane Middle, Bedford . As parents and community members with a vested interest in the success of our children and our schools, there is more that unites than divides us, Lowry said. He understands that some members of the community may take their emergence as a team as them agreeing on issues in lockstep. The pandemic has been difficult for everyone, causing social emotional, academic learning loss and isolation from students peers and teachers, Goldman-Klein said. new city council members, new school board trustees, and dozens of propositions. With nearly 2,600 write-in votes cast in the race for the District 2 seat on the Bedford County School Board, Tuesday nights results are too close to name a winner. We need to explore and follow up on these recommendations. New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA. The budget also includes funds for teacher pay raises. To place an ad call 914-864-0878 or email [email protected]. What is your driving factor in deciding to run for the school board this year? (Scott Schmerelson photo by Los Angeles Times; photos of Tanya Ortiz Franklin, Patricia Castellanos and Marilyn Koziatek provided by their respective campaigns), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Suspected shooter in attacks on Jewish men was on FBIs radar, LAPD chief says, Check this page for live L.A. County election results, Thousands of children could be back to school sooner under a new L.A. County waiver policy, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, Caregiver accused in Manhattan Beach child sexual abuse case believed to be in Philippines, Woman in her 70s found stabbed to death in Lake Forest home, Yosemite breaks decades-old snowfall record, closing national park indefinitely, San Diego federal judge had defendants 13-year-old daughter handcuffed. There also needs to be more opportunities to spotlight the achievements of special education students. The Candidate filing period for the 2023 Town and School Elections was . Developing a preemptive plan learning from mistakes and successes with COVID should be developed. Communication must be consistent and information from the district must be presented clearly by establishing processes and procedures. Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Election Information Election Information Town and School Elections Tuesday, March 14, 2023 Bedford High School Gymnasium 7 am - 7pm Budgetary Town Meeting Wednesday, March 15, 2023 Bedford High School Theater - 7pm 2023 Town/School Elections Absentee Ballot Request Form Shortly afterward, he was introduced to Kramer. Thats why a split election day decision of the two races creates a new political dynamic, with the 4-3 split favoring candidates brought to office with dominant financial support from charter advocates. Mr. Monroe did not respond to my emails in time for press, so I was unable to include information on his goals for the School Board. Nadel said the Fox Lane High School bathroom incidents were deeply concerning. A lack of communication and accountability from district officials made the situation worse and left the most vulnerable members of the community feeling marginalized. Now lets figure out what our new hires are going to look like.. Board Members may only be removed pursuant to applicable provisions in the law. Theres always safety in numbers when you have somebody you can trust, Shady said. He shared a statement on his public Facebook page Wednesday morning saying, the voting totals indicate a victory., I felt cautiously optimistic the whole time, Daniels said in an interview, calling the race a big learning experience for him. James E. Johnson. The proposed Bedford School District Budget was APPROVED by a vote of 1,529 to 494. Following the Fox Lane High School bathroom incidents, trust must be regained by establishing a culture of safety, she said. Our school community has faced challenging times over the past two years and things dont seem to be getting any easier. Richmond, VA 23219, Contact Us Jason Johnson (left) and Matthew Holbrook (right). Thats what always happens., Risk factors for developing heart disease are known to most of us. The Governor can only remove a school board member if the governor is satisfied from the evidence submitted to the governor that the member is guilty of gross neglect of duty, corrupt conduct in office, or any other misfeasance or malfeasance in office. The district has done a decent job in promoting an inclusive environment, he said. Randolph College announced its annual SciFest will take place the last weekend of March. With a record turnout of nearly 3,000 voters who braved cold weather, wind, and snow showers, Bedford's 2022 town election resulted in several changes. As a global public health professional, Lowry has a strong background in community engagement, program development and data-driven decision-making. The two candidates Franklin and Castellanos staked out similar policy positions, including in response to the pandemic. The Wednesday morning tally in two crucial Los Angeles Board of Education contests showed a charter-school backed candidate leading in one race and a teachers union-backed candidate leading in another. The head of special education has to come in with new ideas and say keep whats worked in the past, but because a lot of parents of special needs or special education students arent happy, we need to listen to them, Shady said. You have permission to edit this article. I believe I am the most qualified candidate for the School Board in this election because I have the most experience, not just as a three-year sitting School Board member but also because I sat as a Town Council member for three years. Effective leadership must be proactive not reactive.. The campaign dynamic charters versus unions oversimplifies existential questions facing L.A. Unified. Select Group 67 - Independence LSD Tax Levy (Renewal) . "While we wait to see the final numbers, I am extremely grateful for the support I've received from my neighbors across the southside," he said. CHECK IF YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN BEDFORD AND/OR ABSENTEE BALLOT STATUS HERE. I asked each of them the same questions and below are their responses exactly as sent to me by the candidates. He believes his 30 years of experience running two small business and his background in management, strategic planning, marketing and curriculum development expertise would benefit the district. We have no to time to waste in making change. Make sure to vote! Official Results Absentee ballots may be accepted until noon on November 5th. Results will be certified on November 15th. Franklin would replace longtime incumbent and current board President Richard Vladovic, who was barred from seeking reelection by term limits. In Virginia, Bedford County is ranked 82nd of 133 counties in Boards Of Elections per capita, and 76th of 133 counties . What you can count on is theres always going to be change, Shady said. There were a total of two school trustee seats to be filled for three-year terms. We all are committed to improving educational outcomes. His eldest daughter graduated from Fox Lane in 2019, his son is on the autism spectrum and receives special education services at the high school and his youngest daughter is in first grade at Pound Ridge Elementary School. Glass holds off Western Albemarle to win Region 4D Championship, Altavista cruises past Carver, notches third straight state tournament berth, Millions at Risk of Slipping Into Poverty as COVID-Era SNAP Benefits Set to End, More than 300 words have been added to the English dictionary, Citizens travel to Peru's capitol Lima to protest against Boluarte, Senators react to the end of emergency SNAP benefits. I really think that I have from my experience, I have the ability to help the district, said Shady, who specializes in business resiliency and helped organizations through the pandemic. The change can be a positive as long as the seven board members who will serve for 2022-23 are united in wanting to help the schools improve, Shady said. While Johnson received 446 fewer votes than write-in candidates, anything can happen, Holbrook said. Do you feel that this benefits or hinders your understanding of the Bedford School District and/or your involvement? A similar concept should be introduced in Bedford to manage crises and make recommendations to make improvements. As for students struggling academically and or emotionally, the school district must offer resources, including counselors, specialized teachers, metal heath experts and social workers who can meet students where they are psychologically and academically. The process in handling the matter was flawed, including the administration failing to initiate an investigation and trying to quickly identify the perpetrators. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 9th at First Methodist . Im not sure what this would look like, but its something for us to discuss and consider as we look to move forward. It helps me understand the intricacies of the interconnectedness of the school board, administration and teachers. Helping kids to work through and manage their emotions is important, but ultimately, we need to see what results are being produced by the professional development and curriculum associated with RULER to make sure it is showing positive benefits and truly improving student well-being and outcomes, Kramers said. They are the backbone of our schools. Following the 2020 presidential election, 52.2% of Virginians lived in one of the state's 39 Solid Democratic counties, which voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 29.4% lived in one of 81 Solid Republican counties. She is the current academic coordinator at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical School. One is in the Bedford Schools. You can cancel at any time! Below is the statement regarding board member election: "The 7 Members of the Bedford Public Schools Board of Education are elected by the School District's local constituents. (Bedford) is an excellent school district with amazing teachers and reversing this downward trend by improving both the educational experience and student outcomes will be my primary focus if elected.. Glass holds off Western Albemarle to win Region 4D Championship, An elected school board in Lynchburg? We do a good job of that now but we can do better. Howard Blume covers education for the Los Angeles Times. Report an error or ask a question, The Virginia Public Access Project is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation. The Board President and the Superintendent are the only designated spokespersons for the Board. The unofficial results are in. BHS Settles It: Goldfish Verses Cheez-Its, Sharpened for Success: The Carefully Calculated Hands-on Approach. I am the only experienced candidate running for the position and I am the only person in the entire school board/SAU building who knows how the schools and Town interact. The priority should be to identify the struggling students to design better instruction, interventions and other supports needed to increase performance. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Hes won the top investigative reporting prize from the L.A. Press Club and print Journalist of the Year from the L.A. Society of Professional Journalists chapter. You have permission to edit this article. She currently serves as a curriculum chair and professor of community health at Westchester Community College. Now, its just another new batch of snowflakes, upset about memes, Bruning told WNWO. The Official Student Voice of Bedford High School. Bedford Public Schools Board of Education (3 seats available) Amy Bissell - 5,624 votes. I have only received direct donations from individuals. SCHOOL BOARD INFORMATION The Bedford County School Board will have a Special Called Meeting/Work Session on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the School Administration Office conference room located at 311 South Bridge Street, B edford, VA 24523. The winning candidates are: Voters were also asked to vote on a second proposition regarding funding for a $6.9 million athletic fields improvement project. Oliver, 39, who led the field of seven contenders in the special preliminary . Whitehurst said Wednesday it appears Daniels clinched reelection to finish out the last year of the four-year term on school board. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 26.1%. Who Would Your Teacher be if They Werent a Teacher? The District 3 race pitted Schmerelson, 69, a longtime and well-liked principal, against Koziatek, 39, who manages community outreach for Granada Hills Charter High School. Election results for the May 1, 2021 election in Tarrant County, Texas . I have dedicated my whole career to serving public education, 16 years in Bedford. Zoning Map, 2018. Lastly I will say that there is no greater champion of athletics on the Bedford School Board than I have been. we must allocate the resources correctly and efficiently so the teachers and staff we have the best and the brightest can do the work they are tasked to do. The decisions the school board makes have a direct impact on the teachers and students. It is this push towards ideological programming over the last two years, all while our children were struggling academically due to the pandemic, that has caused a rift amongst the community, which still exists today, said Kramer, who was attracted to Bedford because of its diversity. Mr. Schneller opted to include a final message: One last note: As of today, the mask issue is dead. We can no longer ignore the scores, make excuses and do nothing, Kramer said. . Her two children attend a traditional neighborhood public elementary school. Additionally, Bedford must provide research-based curriculum. To accomplish that, the district must measure our performance relative to historical testing results as well as relative to abutting, regional, super-regional and national schools; the latter is of least consequence but important none-the-less. Public pressure stopped the search for a new director, and if elected, Kramer pledged to ensure greater parent participation in that process. 3. I still remember that day for me. The City of Bedford will hold a General Election on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to elect Places 4 and 6 to the City Council. I am also the only candidate who knows who and how to contact the appropriate professionals in the Town offices to be sure students have full access to town athletic facilities when they might otherwise be unavailable. Incumbent Jason Johnson won 2,149 votes, or 45.3%, with the remaining 54.7%, or 2,595 votes, cast for write-in candidates. I believe Mr. Daniels has won the special election for District 7 school board. Thank you for all of your support and for being a proud Kicking Mule!". There is 1 Board Of Elections per 38,659 people, and 1 Board Of Elections per 379 square miles. The school board contests are probably the most expensive board elections ever, with combined reported spending nearing $17.5 million so far . Has your campaign raised any money from organizations in NH or from elsewhere? I felt fairly confident going into yesterday, but you never know., He thanked his supporters for their contributions to his campaign, and said even though many are congratulating him individually, this is their victory, too., Were here to try to make sure that we can be a voice for every person, every student, every teacher here in Bedford County, and our job is to try to make everything better, for everyone here, Daniels said. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Bedford parent Matthew Holbrook ran an active write-in campaign for the seat, but official counts for write-in candidates will not come for several days. One of the best ways to evaluate ourselves is to see how we stack up against the academic competition. Kramer noted that is currently done in the high school with the United Basketball team and Hand in Hand program for after-school sports practice where special and general education students work together. District 1:. The school board contests are probably the most expensive board elections ever, with combined reported spending nearing $17.5 million so far. Los Angeles Board of Education candidates, from left, Tanya Ortiz Franklin, Patricia Castellanos, Scott Schmerelson and Marilyn Koziatek. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. This happens by retaining and attracting highly qualified educators and administrators. All this is is just another batch of snowflakes. Proposition 2, at-large school board seats. The current, pre-election day board majority, by a 4-3 margin, leans toward the view of United Teachers Los Angeles, which wants stricter oversight on charters and to limit their growth. We need to offer students with less developed learning skills as broad an offering as we offer our more advanced learners. I know how to collaborate and work with parents, families, teachers, and administration. The process also gave her the chance to connect actively with her community, which she counted as a highlight. We see so many of the good things of the district, and unfortunately, the negative ones are the ones that are in the media. The project calls for four unisex restrooms and other improvements to Tompkins Field. Community weighs in on Faraldi's plan, UL receives three-year grant for Bonner program and on-campus initiatives, Bedford County School Board discusses budget, capital projects, For VUL, doctorate programs a 'lifeline' during pandemic, Randolph College's annual SciFest to come next month, Toilet paper identified as major 'forever chemical ' polluter in wastewater, Jury visits crime scene in Murdaugh murder trial, Wave of poison attacks on schoolgirls across Iran is raising alarms, Bakhmut battle intensifies as Russia bears down on Ukrainian city. It provides me with the opportunity to know the teachers, curriculum, and all that Bedford has to offer. Bedford Public School Board members only speak on behalf of the District through formal action at public School Board meetings. I would like to wish him, and the students, parents, teachers, school employees, and community members well. Social-emotional support is best delivered by trained counselors and the district has some of the best, Goldman-Klein said. The Attleboro Board of Election Commissioners said the special election for mayor will be held as scheduled. . But they presented different strengths to voters. My goal for athletics is no different than academics. The district has also created programs for students whose English is not their first language as well as having identified supports in each building for learners from diverse backgrounds.