Three new Bedford school board members attend first meeting today

By: Justin Faulconer | The News & Advance
Published: January 11, 2012

Three new members of the Bedford County School Board will vote for the first time at Thursday's meeting.

Kevin Willis, Kelly Harmony and Richard Downey are starting as representatives of Districts 1, 6 and 7. They replace Debbie Hoback, Shirley McCabe and Joy Wright.

Willis and Harmony have children in the school system and were active in residents' protests of proposed school consolidations in Bedford and Thaxton over the past two years. Downey, a rescue squad volunteer, said recently he’s eager to contribute.

Thursday, the board will select a new chairman and vice chairman. Hoback served the past two years as chair and Julie Bennington, who was re-elected to the District 5 seat in November, served as vice chair last year.

Thursday, the board likely will set meeting dates for the remainder of the year and appoint committee members and representatives.

Board members also will consider awarding a $239,000 contract for work needed to the outside wall of Staunton River Middle School. Randy Hagler, chief financial officer, is scheduled provide a report about the impact of Gov. Bob McDonnell's 2012-14 budget proposal on the division's next fiscal budget.

The meeting takes place at 6 p.m. today at the Bedford Science and Technology Center on Edmund Street in Bedford. After the chair and vice chair is elected, the board is scheduled to go into a closed session and resume the open meeting at 7 p.m.

To view the agenda, visit www.bedford.k12.va.us and click on BoardDocs.