Bedford School Committee Votes 4-1 to Deny Fifth Exchange Student Amid Default Budget

BEDFORD — July 13, 2026 — Bedford School Committee rejects a fifth J-1 exchange student 4-1, citing the district's default budget. The board, which earlier this year granted a one-time exception to bring in a fourth exchange student beyond its three-student policy cap, declined a second exception July 13 after four of five members — Sue, Bill, Kara, and student member Maddie — said the district's default budget status and the risk of appearing "tone deaf" outweighed the benefits. Superintendent Mike Limanni confirmed the Italian student met all academic qualifications and that the marginal cost of hosting her would have been minimal, noting the district receives zero state aid for J-1 students and has historically waived tuition; the lone dissenting vote, member Andrew, argued the committee had received only one piece of critical constituent feedback and called the placement "a positive piece for us to add." The committee directed Limanni to research the origins of the three-student cap and survey neighboring districts' limits ahead of a potential policy revision. In other action, the board unanimously approved four policies on second reading — covering communicable diseases, data records, employee leave, and class size — accepted a $6,200 anonymous donation for Lurgio Middle School's Stand By Me program, and announced the hiring of former School Committee member Steph Nichols as assistant principal at Peter Woodbury Elementary School.