Bedford schools look at long-term planning

BEDFORD — The Bedford County School Board took its first steps Thursday to establish a long-range facility plan to address the school division’s needs over the next decade.

The board discussed priorities for the plan during a work session to give Superintendent Douglas Schuch direction in forming options and financial figures to be discussed in upcoming months.

“We need to get a plan done and approved this fall,” Schuch said during the session.

One option likely to be presented to school board members soon is adding a new gymnasium to Bedford Primary School in the city of Bedford. It is the only regular-operating school in the county to not have a gym, according to school officials.

The students have their physical education time in the school’s cafeteria.

Ryan Edwards, the division’s spokesman, said the students deserve such the gym, but the division is still considering its funding options and has yet to make a decision.

“We’re just going to have to make sure it’s the best use of our money,” Edwards said of the potential project.

Schuch told school board members there would be at least an option for the gym presented for consideration.

Edwards said the division solicited bids earlier this year on the project through the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002, which he said is propriety data the division doesn’t have to disclose.

Board members didn’t debate the gym or any other specific project related to the school division Thursday. Rather, they discussed overall goals for the plan.

One topic that could impact the plan’s future is a potential reversion to town status by the city of Bedford. Schuch said a reversion could impact two of the division’s schools that are currently located in the city.

Another issue discussed Thursday is limiting the use of “learning cottages,” or modular classrooms used at some schools because of space issues.

The school board has set Oct. 29 as its next work session to discuss the long-range facility plan.

Once finalized, school officials intend to present the plan to the Bedford County Board of Supervisors, which would serve as the division’s fiscal agent for borrowing money.

Gary Hostutler, the school board’s chairman, said Thursday he would like the two bodies to meet before the end of the year to discuss the plan. Schuch said the division could revisit it annually once it’s in place.

David Vaden, who represents District 2 on the school board, said, “We need to look at the resources we have available and come up with the best short and long-term plan to make the best use we can (of facilities).”