Bedford School Committee lets retirement incentive expire after $7,000 net loss

BEDFORD — May 26, 2026 — Bedford School Committee votes to end a staff retirement incentive program that lost $7,000 instead of saving the projected $75,000. Superintendent Mike Cornier told the board Tuesday that a one-year addendum to the BEA collective bargaining agreement, meant to encourage early retirements and generate salary savings through lower-cost hires, fell apart primarily because of an occupational therapy replacement who entered at a higher salary tier due to a new master's degree requirement. The committee also formally opposed two bylaw change proposals from the Bedford Braves Athletic Booster Club — one to authorize virtual meetings, one to strip the school board's right to comment on future bylaw changes — with Chair Kara Sujernato saying the district "does not support" either change and planned a formal written response citing the BBABC's own bylaws. Business Administrator Lisa Ambrosio secured approval of updated facility use policy KF, setting custodial rental rates at $46 and $61 per hour, and Assistant Superintendent Donald Liberty presented a $266,000 consolidated federal grant application covering Title I through Title IV programs, now open for a required two-week public comment period.