Superintendent Update

Dear Bedford Public Schools Community,

The school committee continued deliberations about the FY27 Budget at their December 16th meeting and are scheduled to continue deliberations on January 13th with a public hearing and vote anticipated for January 27th. We encourage community members to provide feedback throughout this important process. We are working hard to preserve what makes a BPS education unique, including our commitment to an inclusive environment for all students for all of the educational opportunities we have to offer. As one example, I am pleased to share the launch of JGMS' inaugural cohort of Celtics Playbook Initiative student ambassadors (see below for details). And as another, I leave you with a snippet of hope and cheer from the Lane School Grade 5 Chorus. Thank you to all of our amazing educations and staff who make all of this possible. Enjoy the winter break and see you in 2026!

Best,

Cliff Chuang 莊 宏 毅

Superintendent, Bedford Public Schools

• December 24-January 2: No School - Vacation
• December 25: Christmas: No School
• January 1: New Year's Day: No School
• January 5: Classes Resume
• January 6: Epiphany*, Dia de los Reyes*
• January 13: School Committee Meeting
• January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday: No School
• January 19: 2026 MLK Breakfast at MCC Bedford Campus
• January 27: School Committee Meeting - Finance Focused

*Religious and Cultural Holidays Policy applies

At the last meeting on December 16th, the committee approved the new Competency Determination Policy IKFE, the new Animals in Schools Policy IMG, and revisions to the Home School Policy IHBG. They also had a first read and discussion of the 2026-2027 District Calendar. A 2nd read and vote will be held at the next meeting. Additionally, they continued discussion of the proposed FY27 Budget was discussed. The next school committee meeting is being held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Meeting agendas, schedules, and supporting documents are always available at School Committee - Meeting Schedule & Supporting Documents.

As part of strategic initiative 2.3 and aligned with the work of the Anti-Hate/Bias Taskforce, I am pleased to share the launch of JGMS' inaugural cohort of Celtics Playbook Initiative student ambassadors (13 eighth graders and 12 seventh graders), who are supported by Betsy Wilson, Lead Educator; Matt Karen, Lead Trainer (BHS senior); Abrianna Muramira, Deputy Trainer (BHS sophomore), and JGMS Principal Hartunian. These student leaders have been identified by teachers as individuals who demonstrate care for others, contribute positively to the school community, and show strong potential as inclusive leaders. They will empower their classmates to create a school community in which every individual is welcomed, valued, and celebrated.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has selected Bedford Public Schools for a District Review. This review is conducted by DESE’s Office of District Reviews and Monitoring (ODRM), in partnership with the American Institutes for Research (AIR). Only a small number of districts are selected each year. A key part of the review is gathering input from families via a virtual Family Focus Group. If you would like to join the focus group schedule for 6 pm on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, please complete this Family Focus Group Interest Form. Interpretation and translation services will be available upon request. More information about the district review process can be found here.

• Lt. Eleazer Davis Elementary School - Scribbles
• Lt. Job Lane Elementary School - Lane Notes
• JGMS Buccaneer News
• Bedford High School - The Bedford Buccaneer
• METCO News
• Student Services Spotlight
• The Bedford Lookout