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Bedford Central School District Weighs Options For Declining Enrollment

With dwindling enrollment and projections, the Bedford Central School District is weighing its options for long-range planning.

The Bedford School District is weighing its options as enrollment continues to decline.

The Bedford School District is weighing its options as enrollment continues to decline.

Photo Credit: File Photo

According to the district, there has been a 554 student decline in district elementary schools between 2013-14 and the current school year, which may lead to a budget deficit as soon as the next school year.

The district noted that the 554 student decline is greater than the current student enrollment in each elementary school except Mount Kisco.

Options the Board of Education is considering include altering operations at all five of the district’s elementary schools; operating all five schools with planned upcoming savings, or consolidating one of the schools into four buildings, which would save nearly $2 million, consultants said.

According to the district, “the process is not just about whether to close a school or not. The overarching goal of the Long Range Facilities Plan is to develop a multi-pronged approach to establishing sustainable, long-term educational programs and innovation, as well as fiscal stability in the district.”

This week, the board again met with consultants at a community forum on Tuesday, Feb. 11, and there is a Board of Education meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12. In March, it will be dedicated to public discussion by the Board and public input alternatives.

Public education, feedback, and input is expected to continue in March, April, and May. It may take until June to finalize a long-range plan.

More information regarding long-range planning and upcoming Board meetings can be found on the district’s website.

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