03.23.26 BSB Minutes - Final.pdf
The Bedford School Board reorganized, electing Sue Jennato Chair (5:0) and Kara LaMarche Vice Chair (5:0). Committee assignments for 2026/27 were finalized. Superintendent Michael Fournier presented proposed FY27 budget reductions totaling $673,649 to meet the MS22 goal, exceeding the target by $143,567. Suggestion was made to retain door installation ($96,500), ADA openers ($20,000), Best Buddies ($2,000), and SAU cameras ($3,700). The Board approved graduate course priorities (5:0). A $5,000 donation for the BEEP playground was acknowledged. Consent agenda items, including the manifest, professional staff nominations, and MS22, passed 5:0. Minutes from March 9 passed 4:0:1. Interviews for the RBS Assistant Principal are set for April 14, 2026. Policy GBE and GBEA underwent a second read following union feedback. Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17dSm-Zqr05jC-y_Rlqkcw0xmgnsIZh69/view
The mission of the Bedford School
District is to develop a community of
learners who are curious, resourceful,
and respectful. Academic achievement
is the district's highest priority.
____________________________________________________________________________
BEDFORD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday,March 23, 2026
SAU Office Board Room
103 County Road, Bedford NH 03110
6:30 p.m.
MINUTES - Final
_________________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance/Roll Call
Chair Sue Jennato called the March 9, 2026 Bedford School Board meeting to order at
6:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited at that time.
Present were: School Board members Andrea Campbell, Bill Foote (remotely), Sue
Jennato, Kevin Coventry, and Kara LaMarche; Superintendent Michael Fournier, Assistant
Superintendent Tom Laliberte, Business Administrator Lisa Ambrosio and Student School
Board Representative Andie Nugent.
2. Affirm Agenda Items
There were no agenda revisions.
3. Participation at School Board Meetings
Becky, local coordinator for EF High School exchange, spoke about their exchange
program, including children who attend the schools. 33 families were placed this year.
She presented a family who applied and completed the background check process to
have the children attend BSD; since the schools were at capacity for free students for
the year, they were coming to the Board for a one-time change for one student only for
one year (2026-27). The host, Hector, of 227 Pulpit Road, explained why the student
(from Germany) was a good fit for BSD (the parents work for a German company and
the students learn German). This topic would be added to the next agenda and perhaps
have BHS explain the implementation of the exchange program. Students did not take
extra services. Per policy, the number of exchange students was limited to 3; this would
be reconsidered for the next meeting.
Ed Comesky of 40 Maple Drive welcomed Mr. Coventry and thanked the high school
volunteers on voting day. He noted that the budget was close and he appreciated the
efforts that were made. He was always to give input to help out.
4. Board Reorganization
The School Board elected a Chair and Vice Chair for the upcoming year.
Kara LaMarche made a motion to renominate Sue Jennato as School Board Chair. Andrea
Campbell seconded the motion. Motion passed 5:0 with Student School Board
Representative voting in favor. Roll call vote.
Andrea Campbell made a motion to nominate Kara LaMarche as School Board Vice Chair.
Bill Foote seconded the motion. Motion passed 5:0 with Student School Board
Representative voting in favor. Roll call vote.
5. School Board Committee Assignments
The Board determined which members sit on District committees:
Committees and Descriptions
2026/2027
CHAIRPERSON
Sue Jennato
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Kara LaMarche
BCTV LIAISON/BEDFORD RADIO STATION
Andrea Campbell
Bill Foote
BHS BOOSTER CLUBS
Kara LaMarche
Kevin Coventry
BHS COMMUNITY SENATE
Sue Jennato
Bill Foote
BOARD/COUNCIL LIAISONS
Kara LaMarche
Sue Jennato
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
N/A
CURRICULUM (BCC)
Andrea Campbell
Bill Foote
BEDFORD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Kara LaMarche
Sue Jennato
ENERGY COMMISSION
Bill Foote
Kevin Coventry
FACILITY PLANNING
Bill Foote
Kevin Coventry
MST ADVISORY BOARD
Kevin Coventry
PTG LIAISON
Kara LaMarche
Sue Jennato
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Kara LaMarche
Sue Jennato
Parent Advisory Council
Andrea Campbell
Kara LaMarche
WELLNESS COMMITTEE
Kevin Coventry
SCHOOL LIAISONS
-Memorial School
Kevin Coventry
-Peter Woodbury School
Sue Jennato
-Riddle Brook School
Kara LaMarche
-McKelvie Intermediate School
Andrea Campbell
-Ross A. Lurgio Middle School
Sue Jennato
-Bedford High School
Bill Foote
Supporting Documents
●
2026-2027 Committee Assignments (fillable form)
●
2025-2026 Committee Assignments (for reference)
6. Proposed Budget Reductions
Mr. Fournier presented a spreadsheet outlining proposed budget reductions to the Board
for discussion. Highlights included:
1. Reduction from family health insurance to 2-person: savings of $200,000.
2. Tuition Private High (SPED): reduction of $200,000 (2 of 3 students).
3. Transportation: reduction of 10% to 5% - savings of $50,000.
4. District New Equipment (exterior cameras - blind spots) and unanticipated expenses:
reduction of $46,475 (from exterior audit). There is a want to add in the SAU
cameras for blind spots for $3,700.
5. Crew: savings of $41,000.
6. MIS/PWS/RBS Door Installation Access (it was a new ask): savings of $96,500.
7. ADA Automatic Door Opener Systems: savings of $20,000. (BSD was in compliance;
there was concern about safety if not done).
8. PWS Floor Coverings: savings of $26,500.
9. Board Room AC System: savings of $26,250.
10.Elevator Controls (Theater - not broken but irreplaceable parts): savings of $24,000.
11.BHS Summer School: savings of $5,000.
12.Admin Tuition (Grad Courses): savings of $5,000.
13.District Contracted Services Computer Ed (from 7% to 5%): savings of $13,500.
14.DIS Cont Services Computer Ed (WeVideo): savings of $12,486.
15.BHS: Savings of $15,005.
16.RAL: Savings of $10,000.
17.MIS: Savings of $10,500.
18.RBS: Savings of $5,000.
19.PWS: Savings of $5,000.
20.MEM: Savings of $5,000.
GOAL:
$673,649
TOTAL:
$817,216
$143,567
Suggestions were to keep:
●
Installation of the doors: $96,500
●
ADA automatic door opener systems: $20,000
●
Best Buddies: $2,000
●
SAU cameras: $3,700
Mr. Fournier and the schools would review what they would like to keep or reduce (to
find $25,367 and to match the MS22; what was not spent would go back to surplus)
before the next meeting.
Supporting Documents
●
Proposed FY27 Budget Reductions
7. Policy Updates
The Teachers’ Association had given feedback on these policies:
Policy GBE: Staff Rights and Responsibilities
Seen with unemployment and worker’s compensation - necessary law. The word
“morality” was of concern - and an idea was to change it to “ethical”. The policy stated
that in 2005, the legislature intentionally changed wording to: The school board may
dismiss any teacher found by them to be immoral…” There were substantial protections to
employees.
Policy GBEA: Staff Ethics
Of concern was the item: “Direct any criticism of other staff members toward improving
the District. Such constructive criticism is to be made directly to the building
administrator.” The union felt that criticism of a staff member should be given to the staff
member first - not the administrator. Also of concern to the union was the sentence:
“Exhibit professional conduct both on and off duty.” The NHSBA’s response was that “off
campus conduct by teachers may be cause for discipline only when there is a clear,
demonstrable nexus between the conduct and the employee’s ability to perform the
assigned duties, or other legitimate interests of the school or District.” There was
discussion on code of conduct and code of ethics (for licensed teachers). Wordsmithing
would be done further so it would be appropriate and not be as broad-reaching.
Second Read:
Policy GBE: Staff Rights and Responsibilities
●
Current Version
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Side by Side Comparison
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Clean GBE (Recommended by NHSBA)
Policy GBEA: Staff Ethics
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Current Version
●
Side by Side Comparison
●
Clean GBEA (Recommended by NHSBA)
8. Graduate Course Priorities
Mr. Laliberte presented the Board with a list of suggested Graduate Course Priorities for
their discussion and approval. The BEA/Board collective bargaining agreement provided
$130,000 for graduate course reimbursement. Current graduate course priorities for
2025-26 as of February, 2026 were:
●
Reading and Writing (outside of certification)- 26
●
STEM (outside of certification)- 22
●
Content- 29
●
Site-Based Plan (formerly known as alternative certification)- 2
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Social and Behavioral Wellness- 10
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Special Services- 8
●
Total Priorities Graduate Courses- 97
In addition to the priority classes, there were 92 general graduate courses.
Andrea Campbell made a motion to approve the graduate course priorities as presented.
Kara LaMarche seconded the motion. Motion passed 5:0 with Student School Board
Representative voting in favor. Roll call vote.
Supporting Documents:
●
BSB Priorities
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Article 7 BEA CBA - Professional Growth Requirements
●
9. Donation Acknowledgement
Mr. Fournier presented a recent donation of $5,000 in support of the new Bedford Early
Education Program (BEEP) playground. This project supports BEEP’s planned relocation to
RBS for the 2026–2027 school year.
Supporting Documents:
●
RBS Playground Donation Memo
●
Policy KCD: Public Gifts/Donations
10. Minutes
Bill Foote made a motion to approve the draft minutes of March 9, 2026 as presented.
Kara LaMarche seconded the motion. Motion passed 4:0:1 (abstention from K.
Coventry) with Student School Board Representative voting in favor. Roll call vote.
●
Draft Minutes of 03.09.2026
11. Materials Included
●
Revised 02.16.2026 BSB Minutes
12. Consent Agenda
Andrea Campbell made a motion to approve the manifest of March 24, 2026, professional
staff nominations and MS22 as presented. Bill Foote seconded the motion. Motion passed
5:0 with Student School Board Representative voting in favor. Roll call vote.
● Manifest of 03.24.2026
● Professional Staff Nominations
● MS22 - Certification
13. Short Subjects and Good News Notes
Ms. Campbell shared that on Wednesday night, the Special Education Parent Advisory
Committee would hold the first information night at RAL about the IEP process.
Applicants were invited as well. She said the Robotics event went well; the team would
be at UNH this weekend for the next round.
Ms. Nugent congratulated the Robotics team and said that spring sports began this week.
Mr. Fournier noted that Joppa Hill offered tickets to their gala to 10 employees who
would be interested in going and 10 employees did attend. WMUR scheduled to meet
with him tomorrow regarding the PowerSchool data breach from a while ago.
Mr. Laliberte worked with Matt Munsey on the RBS Assistant Principal vacancy; there
would be interviews on April 14, 2026.
Mr. Foote thanked voters for his re-election.
14. Nonpublic Session Per RSA 91-A:3 (N/A)
15. Adjournment
At 8:20pm, Andrea Campbell made a motion to adjourn. Kara LaMarche seconded the
motion. Motion passed 5:0 with Student School Board Representative voting in favor.
Roll call vote.