Bedford School Committee Debates DEI Book Notification Rules, Extends Transportation Contract

BEDFORD — August 23, 2021 — Bedford School Committee hears 90-day DEI advisory report, debates book notification rules and public comment policy. Superintendent Michael Fournier presented 12 recommendations from the 26-member advisory committee formed May 24, 2021, under Board Policy BDF, stressing that "DEI equals CRT and CRT is in Bedford — and that is not true, plain and simple." Key recommendations include formally adopting definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion and posting them on the district website, requiring advance parental notification of supplemental K-6 reading titles, and establishing a superintendent-level approval process for school-based committees. Board member John pushed back sharply on Recommendation L, which would create a standing BHS Diversity Committee, warning it would give "a broad swath through which many things can be driven" without adequate review. The board voted unanimously to extend the district transportation contract through FY2022-23 and approved the annual DOE-25 financial report showing a $3.8 million year-end surplus driven by salary underspending and roughly $700,000 in above-budget Medicaid and special education revenue.