The BCSD Community Facilities Committee arrived at its recommendation of building new schools to replace the aging and expensive-to-maintain buildings after months of meetings and information gathering.

Earlier this month, the Bedford City School District Board of Education voted unanimously to accept the committee’s recommendation to begin the process to place a $161M bond issue on the November ballot.

The final vote is scheduled for the July 10 school board meeting. While the exact millage will be determined by the county fiscal officer’s office, it is estimated to cost less than $1 per day for each $100,000 in home value.

The committee of parents, teachers and staff, alumni, business and community leaders, and members of the general public heard from district leaders and architects over several months. The committee members considered grade banding, expanded career tech education options, expanded preschool and community and business partnerships in developing the recommendation.

The approved facilities plan will reduce the number of buildings from 7 to 4, and provide

students with modern schools that are equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

The oldest BCSD school building is 118 years old. The average age of BCSD school

buildings is about 74 years.

The district is working through an Ohio Facilities Construction Commission program, called the Expedited Local Partnership Program (ELPP), that would pay for part of the building project costs within certain guidelines. Under this program, the state of Ohio will reimburse the district for 21% of eligible costs at a future date. 

The facilities plan will build:

• A new high school with expanded career-technical education opportunities and space;
• A new 6 – 8 grade school on the former Chanel site;
• A new pre-kindergarten – 2nd grade school with expanded preschool opportunities on the Heskett site; and
• A repurposed 3 – 5 school at Heskett.

The district hasn’t asked voters for new money since 2009.

The cost to build the new schools is less than the cost to maintain the existing buildings. A study identified approximately $170M dollars in necessary repairs to keep the buildings warm, safe, and dry and provide emergency repairs, accessibility and technology over the next 10 years.

Also, the estimated cost to renovate the existing buildings and bring them up to state standards is about $224 million and those renovations would not be eligible for any state co-funding.

June 2 marked the annual Bedford High School Senior Awards Recognition Ceremony.

Students were recognized by BHS faculty and administration for their achievements. The event was at Catered Elegance in Oakwood.

The recipients:

Joseph C. Searcy Memorial Scholarship: Kaylee Coleman

Bedford City Schools Foundation Scholarship: Ayanna Akins and Cree Hall

Bedford City Schools Foundation Scholarship, in partnership with Bedford Automile Dealers: Austin Luke

Bedford Foundation Hilary Taylor Scholarship: Imani Mathews

Bedford Foundation Paul G. Ward, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Kaylee Coleman

Fuhrmeyer Memorial Art Scholarship: Luke Sanders

Bedford PTA Council Scholarship: Kaylee Coleman, Mylea O’Neal, Rowland Okafor, Antwone Yarbrough

PTA Council Trish Duncan Scholarship: Tenille Foote

Bedford PTA Nora Beach Scholarship: Ayanna Akins

Barbara Patterson Scholarship: Cree Hall and Shavon Mosby

Auxiliary of VFW Post 1082 Scholarship: Tenille Foote

VFW Post 1082 Scholarship: Kaylee Coleman

Bedford Heights Scholarship Award: Tenille Foote and Trent Thomas

OAPSE: Kaylee Coleman and George Henderson

BEA: Ayanna Akins and Kaylee Coleman

Bedford Association of Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Scholarship: Kaylee Coleman and Austin Luke

Charles S. and Virginia A. Bright Scholarship: Austin Luke

Department Awards

Honorable Mention in Art: Christian Fredrick, Taylor Paige, Alexandria Phillips, Kavon Ray

Outstanding Award in Art: Kaylee Coleman, Paris Ferguson, Alexandria Fowler, Jayla Hinton, Luke Sanders

Outstanding Award in Career/Tech: Ayanna Akins, Andrew Alexander, Reginald Briggs, Rayell Halsey, Stevie Horner, Clement Robinson, Luke Sanders, Journie Ware, Victor Young-Deleon

Honorable Mention in English: Terrance Carrothers, Xavier Martin, Rowland Okafor, and Se’Mariion Rogers

Outstanding Award in English: Kaylee Coleman, Tenille Foote, Isaiah Moore, Isaiah Whitsett-Edmonds

Outstanding Award in Health/Physical Education: Mark Peoples, Roman Smith

Honorable Mention in Math: Rowland Okafor

Outstanding Award in Math: Kaylee Coleman, Se’Mariion Rogers

Honorable Mention in Music: Ayanna Akins, Alana Collins, Rowland Okafor, Eyrka Peek, Devonte White

Outstanding Award in Music: Kaylee Coleman, Austin Luke, Mylea O’Neal, Arielle Watson, Victoria White

Honorable Mention in Science: Ayanna Akins, Kaylee Coleman, Jada Gay, Austin Luke, Rowland Okafor, Se’Mariion Rogers, Joshua Sams

Outstanding Award in Science: Carmen Ningler-Farone

Honorable Mention in Social Studies: Kayla Bynum, Jayla Hinton, Stevie Horner, Clement Robinson

Outstanding Award in Social Studies: Ayanna Akins, Tenille Foote, Mylea O’Neal, Eryka Peek

Outstanding Award in World Languages: Rowland Okafor, Taylor Paige, Jada Rodgers, Isaiah Whitsett-Edmonds

Completed College Course Work: Alaysia Beard, Kayla Bynum, Aniya Childs, Jazzmin Drake, Sylven Edwards, Jada Gay, Cree Hall, George Henderson, Sabrina Howard, Caleb Hunter, Austin Luke, Xavier Martin, Imani Mathews, Tavia McBryde, Terell McClain, Isaiah Moore, Mylea O'Neal, Eryka Peek, Clement Robinson, Se'Mariion Rogers, A'leah Slaughter, Tacara Smith, Arielle Watson, and Victoria White

Completed Advanced Placement Courses: Ayanna Akins, Andrew Alexander, Isaac Britten, Kayla Bynum, Terrance Carrothers, Diamond Chambers, Aniya Childs, Alexis Clark-Bey, Kaylee Coleman, Jonathan Dow, Ava Duffield, Paris Ferguson, Tenille Foote, Jada Gay, Cree Hall, George Henderson, Jayla Hinton, Stevie Horner, Devon Johnson, Carter Lee, Austin Luke, Xavier Martin, Imani Mathews, Tavia McBryde, Terell McClain, Isaiah Moore, Shavon Mosby, Carmen Ningler-Farone, Mylea O'Neal, Rowland Okafor, Eryka Peek, Se'Mariion Rogers, Joshua Sams, Luke Sanders, J'marie Sutton, Arielle Watson, Victoria White, Isaiah Whitsett-Edmonds, Antwone Yarbrough, Victor Young-Deleon

Outstanding Abilities in Yearbook Design: Ayanna Akins, Kaylee Coleman, Jada Gay, Austin Luke, and Mylea O’Neal

Completed Nursing Program to earn STNA License: Taylor Bobbitt, Tristyn Chapman, Aniya Childs, Rayell Halsey, Kamryn Hill, Devon Johnson, Chantel Jones, Nikyah Smith, Kiyanni Stormer

Outstanding Abilities in Clinical Health: Tristyn Chapman, Aniya Childs, and Rayell Halsey

Senior Project: Nathan Carter, Alexis Clark-Bey, Lauryn Clark-Bey, Kaylee Coleman, Alana Collins, Tenille Foote, Cree Hall, Xavier Martin, Imani Mathews, Shavon Mosby, Rowland Okafor, Mylea O’Neal, Stephen Sanders, Devonte White

Row Captains: Ayanna Akins, Andrew Alexander, Isaac Britten, Kayla Bynum, Arion Carroll, Diamond Chambers, Aniya Childs, Kaylee Coleman, Jonathan Dow, Richard Escarte-Molina, Tenille Foote, Jada Gay, Cree Hall, George Henderson, Kamryn Hill, Chantel Jones, Kaesharee Jones, Christion Layton, Austin Luke, Xavier Martin, Imani Mathews, Isaiah Moore, Shavon Mosby, Carmen Ningler-Farone, Rowland Okafar, Mylea O'Neal, Jasmin Peterson, Se'Mariion Rogers, Joshua Sams, Trent Thomas, Kiyah Thompson, Carmel Vei, Arielle Watson, Victoria White, Isaiah Whitsett-Edmonds, Antwone Yarbrough

Male Mentors: Kenneth Greene, Caleb Hunter, Austin Luke, Rowland Okafor, Se'Mariion Rogers

Bedford Rotary Club Meeting Attendance: Ayanna Akins, Kaylee Coleman, Alexandria Fowler, Jada Gay, Kamryn Hill, Austin Luke, Rowland Okafor, Mylea O’Neal, Clement Robinson, Se’Mariion Rogers, Joshua Sams, Luke Sanders, Stephen Sanders, Isaiah Whitsett-Edmonds

Class of 2023 Royalty: Austin Luke, Homecoming King; Kamryn Hill, Homecoming Queen; Joshua Sams, Sneaker Ball King; Arion Carroll, Sneaker Ball Queen; Isaiah Moore, Prom King; Aniya Childs, Prom Queen

Senior Class Hall of Fame Semi-Finalists: Jada Gay, Mylea O’Neal, Rowland Okafor, Trent Thomas, and Arielle Watson

Senior Class Hall of Fame Finalists: Ayanna Akins, Kaylee Coleman, Austin Luke, Se’Mariion Rogers, and Victoria White

Sally Leeks A Cappella Choir Award: Victoria White

Louis Greaves Drama Award: Victoria White

C for Excellence in Arts and Theater Award: Alana Collins, Austin Luke, Kaylee Coleman, Stephen Sanders

Athletics

Cheerleading: Heaven Funches

Girls Basketball: Jazzmin Drake

Girls Cross Country: Alana Collins

Girls Swimming: Kaylee Coleman

Softball: Fayth Lipkins

Wrestling: Trent Thomas

Boys Basketball: Willie Powell, Jr.

Boys Soccer: Carmen Ningler-Farone

Boys Track: Isaac Britten

Girls Soccer: Kaylee Coleman

Volleyball: Arion Carroll

Archie Griffin Award: Kayla Bynum and Willie Powell, Jr

OSHAA Scholar Athlete Award: Caleb Hunter and Kaylee Coleman

Roosevelt Barnes Award: Isaiah Whitsett-Edmonds

Tom Frischman Award for the Senior Athlete: Isaac Britten

Outstanding Female Athlete 2023: Kaylee Coleman

Outstanding Male Athlete 2023: Trent Thomas

Change Agent Award: Arielle Watson and Janiel Solano

Mountain Mover Award: Ayanna Akins, Alaya Bennett, Nathan Carter, Nyla Eason, La’Quan Evans, Stevie Horner, Romone Jordan, Tremayne Keath, Eryka Peek, Jasmin Peterson, Amyah Ramos, Stephen Sanders, DeMareyon Smith, Hunter Steele, Justice Turner, Carmel Vei, Jaylon Wright

Bearcat Service Awards: Nathan Carter, Kaylee Coleman, Jada Gay, Kaesharee Jones, Tremayne Keath, Austin Luke, Rowland Okafor, Mylea O’Neal, Eryka Peek, Allyssa Scott, Arielle Watson

National Honor Society: Ayanna Akins, Kayla Bynum, Kaylee Coleman, Tenille Foote, Jada Gay, Emiliano Gonzalez, Cree Hall, George Henderson, Austin Luke, Mylea O’Neal, Rowland Okafor, Mark Peoples, Se’Mariion Rogers, Kiyah Thompson, Arielle Watson

Honors Diploma: Jazzmin Drake, Jada Gay, Mylea O’Neal, Rowland Okafor, Se’Mariion Rogers

Principal’s Award: Aniya Childs, Jazzmin Drake, Nyla Eason, Paris Ferguson, Emiliano Gonzalez, Rayell Halsey, Shavon Mosby, Jada Rodgers, Jalyn Simpson, Jordynn Thomas, Journie Ware, Antwone Yarbrough

Cum Laude: Alaysia Beard, Nathan Carter, Alexandria Fowler, Jada Gay, Tremayne Keath

Magna Cum Laude: Diana Cisneros Cabrera, Tenille Foote, Jayla Hinton, Cree Hall, A’leah Slaughter

Summa Cum Laude: Ayanna Akins, Kayla Bynum, Kaylee Coleman, Austin Luke, Terell McClain, Mylea O’Neal, Rowland Okafor, Se’Mariion Rogers, Tacara Smith

Phi Beta Kappa Award: Austin Luke

Polly Troxell Award: Mylea O’Neal

Merit Award: Kaylee Coleman and Jada Gay

American Legion Award: Austin Luke

Congratulations to all!

Superintendent Dr. Cassandra Johnson, school principals and members of the BCSD Executive Leadership Team recognized Students of Excellence from each school during a luncheon May 31.

The students were selected by their principals in recognition of the students exhibiting the elements of ROAR — Respectful, Open Minded, Achieving, and Responsible.

The students and their families were treated to lunch at the Administration Building and each student received a trophy.

The students:

* Bedford High School: Austin Luke and Isaiah Whitsett- Edmonds

* Heskett: Elise Sanders and Christopher Townes

* Carylwood: Aaliyah Carmichael and Logan Harvey

* Columbus: Brionna Merritt and Charlz Boykins

* Central: Caleb Sharp and Kaylee Garrett

* Glendale: Tyler Monroe and Harper Agnew

Congratulations to the students and their families!

Students at Glendale and Central Primary, Carylwood and Columbus Intermediate, and Heskett Middle Schools enjoyed field days as the 2022-23 school year drew to a close.

They played water games, raced, tested their strength with tug-of-war and participated in many more fun activities.

Heskett students participated in jousting and laser tag. At Columbus, students had a chance to dunk a teacher in a dunking tank.

On May 24, 12 career and technical education students were honored at the Rotary Club

Of Bedford, Ohio's 65th Annual Recognition Banquet.

The students, their programs, award sponsors and teachers:

* Rayell Halsey, Health Sciences; sponsor, Xellia Pharmaceuticals USA; teacher, Abigail Goulbourne.

* Reginald Briggs, Transportation; sponsor, Mazda of Bedford; teacher, Frank McGroarty Sr.

* Clement Robinson Jr., Marketing; sponsor, Vantage Financial Group; teacher, Courtney Webb. Clement also received the Ernest F. Petrilli Scholarship Award.

* William Handrich, Information Technology; sponsor, Berwyn Technologies; teacher, Darren Pocek.

* Victor Young-DeLeon, Business & Administration; sponsor, First National Bank; teacher, Glenn Yorkievitz.

* Avia Johnson, Biotechnology; sponsor, Liberty News; teacher, Nate Marron.

* Vivienne Brown and Connor Smith, Health Sciences; sponsor, MetroHealth; teachers, Casey Graham and Nicole Zubik.

* Alexis Clark-Bey, Cosmetology; sponsor, Mary Kay Cosmetics; teacher, Angelic Carter.

* John Rogers, Construction Technology; sponsor, Carr Brothers Concrete Inc.; teacher, James "Buddy" Bell.

* Xavier Martin, Engineering; sponsor, GPD Group; teacher, Martin McGuan

* Jordynn Thomas, Arts & Communication; sponsor, Action Printing Inc.; teacher, Amy Kelller.

Sabrina J. Terry was the guest speaker for the event. She's the Clinical Excellence and Operations Manager for MetroHealth's Therapy Department. Ms. Terry networked with the student award winners during the banquet and encouraged them in their studies and career aspirations. She talked individually to several students, mentoring them and urging them to follow their dreams.

Long-time Rotarian Frank Gambosi received the Bernard W. Raimer Vision Award for his community service.

It was a lovely event! Thank you!!

Bedford High School track athletes accomplished great things last month at the Regional track event at Austintown Fitch High School, near Youngstown.

Sophomore Daren Morrow finished fourth in the 300 hurdles at the event and went on to the state event. Congratulations!

The girls 4×100 finished fifth with a season best time of 48.84, narrowly missing a state competition berth.

Fantastic work, Brooklin Turman, Trinity Pollard, Armani Hudson and Kyndall Worthy.

The Bedford City School District’s new Supervisor of Pupil Personnel brings years of experience in counseling, social emotional learning, and collaboration to the position.

Marian Armstrong worked at Parma City Schools for more than 30 years as a school counselor and special education teacher.

“It was the people of Bedford who drew me to this position,” she said. “Everyone I have met so far has been inviting, kind, and has the best interest of their students at heart. I am looking forward to helping our students reach their social emotional, academic and career goals in my role as Supervisor of Pupil Personnel.”

Mrs. Armstrong led the school counselor department at Parma for more than 20 years.

She coordinated the Teen Mental Health & Safety Summit at Rocket Mortgage Field House for more than 20 school districts in Cuyahoga County school Districts. The summit trained future mental health ambassadors on suicide awareness, prevention and how to promote positive mental health among peers.

Mrs. Armstrong received the teen Mental Health Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness for her work on the summit.

Mrs. Armstrong also created and served as an adviser for her former district’s Girl Power, Gender Sexuality Alliance, Black Lives Matter, and Ruling Our Experiences (ROX) clubs. She worked as a liaison between staff, students, families, and the community.

We welcome Mrs. Armstrong to the Bearcat Family.

Floyd Jones, Bedford City School District’s Building and Maintenance Supervisor, brings more than 25 years of experience to the job. 

He worked as a supervisor in Cleveland City Hall for about five years before coming to Bedford.

“I just decided it was time for a change and a different career path,” Mr. Jones said. “It’s been great.”

He previously ran his own janitorial business for about 20 years. 

Since joining the district, Mr. Jones has been working to ensure maintenance stays on track and that equipment is repaired when needed. He also monitors construction projects across the district and oversees all building concerns within district schools and administration offices. Additionally, he assists principals with their building and maintenance needs.

The Building and Maintenance Supervisor is part of the Operations Department of Bedford City School District.

Welcome to the Bearcat Family, Mr. Jones.

The Bedford City School District has chosen a seasoned educator to lead Glendale Primary School for the 2023-24 school year.

Angela Siwik brings 16 years of educator experience to the position.

“I look forward to joining an extraordinary community rooted in pride and tradition,” she said. 

She’s “committed to sharing in the district’s mission of inspiring everyone daily to achieve excellence.”

Erin Black, who’s been Glendale Principal for the last several years, is moving to the preschool coordinator position in the district next school year.

Ms. Siwik’s previous leadership roles include Afterschool Administrator for Maple Heights City Schools, Site Administrator for Head Start through Cleveland Catholic Charities, and Assistant Principal for the Keystone Local School District.

She also taught preschool, first and second grades in Cleveland.

Ms. Siwik was raised on the west side of Cleveland. She has three children and a rescue dog.

“I am most excited to work with the educators collaboratively to exemplify values of high standards while creating rich experiences for all students,” she said. “Building relationships between families and our school is vital to the success of our students. It is my mission to ensure all voices are heard and our students are the primary focus of our work together.”

Please help us welcome Ms. Siwik to Bedford!

Four BCSD teachers earn continuing contracts

The Bedford City School District recognized four Bedford City School District teachers who earned continuing contracts.

Superintendent Dr. Cassandra Johnson pointed out that teachers go through a rigorous process to earn tenure at BCSD.

The teachers who earned continuing contracts are Jamie Cole, Heskett Middle School; Rosana Camargo, Glendale Primary; Brenna Dilyard, Bedford High School; and Katie Lovick, Integrated Technology Coach.

Congratulations!

(Ms. Cole was identified incorrectly in a previous issue of The Buzz. We regret the error.)

On Aug. 8, there will be a special election in Ohio.

Not registered to vote? Not sure? Here are some resources to help:

Request a vote-by-mail application here:  https://boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/vote-by-mail

Instructions for voting early in person here: https://boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/vote-early-in-person

Calendar for August 8 election here: https://boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/elections/GetElectionById/253/

Register to vote or update your address here (can be online, by mail, or in person): https://boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters

Not sure if you’re registered? Check here: https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/

Check out some of the happenings across our communities