Bedford High School officials are increasing monitoring around the school after the district received concerns from families and community members about student and youth activity following dismissal.
In a Sept. 30 message to Bedford High School students, families and the community, the district said concerns include excessive loitering, fighting, jaywalking and other unsafe or disruptive behavior in areas surrounding the high school.
Principal Khalisha Lewis and the Bedford High School administration are working with the Bedford Police Department and other local law enforcement partners to increase monitoring around the school and reinforce expectations for safe and responsible conduct after dismissal and school events.
The district said school expectations and applicable laws will be more strictly enforced. Students who engage in fighting, unsafe pedestrian activity, disruptive behavior or other prohibited conduct may face consequences through law enforcement when applicable. Those consequences could include citations requiring students and parents to appear in court.
School officials are asking students to leave campus when the school day or school events end and proceed to their transportation, home or another intended destination. Students should not remain in surrounding areas for extended periods without a legitimate reason or engage in behavior that could compromise their safety or the safety of others.
Parents and guardians are also being asked to reinforce those expectations and make sure their students have an appropriate plan for leaving the area following dismissal.
“Bedford High School values its relationship with our surrounding community,” Interim Superintendent Tom Evans wrote. “Our students’ safety remains our highest priority, and disruptive or unsafe behavior after school cannot be allowed to continue.”
The district said cooperation among students, families, school administrators, community members and law enforcement will be important in addressing the concerns.
