NB Superintendent Beatty Talks About Hoax Calls and Emails

Northern Bedford County School District Superintendent Todd Beatty addressed hoax calls regarding school shootings during his report.

Beatty said two years ago, he reported about hoax school shooting calls.

Last year, schools dealt with “swatting” emails about multiple bomb threats, he said.

“This year started again with hoax texts and emails. Sadly, this seems to be the new norm,” Beatty said. “As a reminder, the FBI has communicated that, generally, remaining in the building is the most appropriate move with a bomb threat because of less likeliness of injury and that it may be used as a ruse to get students out in the open.”

He was also excited about the hunter and trapper safety course conducted again this year in the sixth-grade wing. 

Middle School Principal Kendra Pritchett announced the second year for a middle school theatrical production. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be brought to life on the auditorium stage on Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7. This production will utilize students solely from the NBC Middle School and is open to any students in the school.

Opportunities in performance, design, and technical elements of theater are available. 

On October 2, Emily Swanseen took about 40 juniors/seniors to the Bedford County School Counselors Association College and Career Fair at the Blair County Airport. 

Individual post-secondary school representatives have been visiting NBC to meet with smaller groups of interested students from September through November. 

A religious release time for primary-grade students will begin Thursday, October 17, and run through Thursday, November 14. Students will be transported each Thursday to the New Enterprise Church of the Brethren to receive religious instruction from volunteers organized through the Southern Cove/Yellow Creek Ministerium. Currently, 61 students in grades K-2  signed up to participate. 

Fire Prevention Week was the week of October 7. On Wednesday, October 9, the Southern Cove Volunteer Fire Company and EMS visited the elementary school to share fire prevention information with preschool and kindergarten students. 

Pritchett also submitted several items through the Supplemental Equipment Grant for the Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs. She submitted a new planer for building construction and new coolers in the horticulture program. 

The resignation of Marin Carder, an elementary teacher, was accepted. Since resignation was given in the middle of the school year she will be held 60 days at the elementary school before departure.

Barry Crawford will be stepping down as assistant varsity girls’ basketball coach but remain a volunteer coach. There are eight full-time basketball coaches approved for 2024/25 along with five wrestling coaches and a head varsity cheerleading coach. 31 volunteer coaches were approved for elementary basketball and wrestling along with girls’ and boys’ varsity wrestling and basketball spots. 

As girls’ wrestling continues to grow, they will attend a tournament at the University of Delaware on December 19-20. The district is responsible for tournament fees and transportation by school van. 

The board approved the transfer of $300,000 from budgetary reserve to charter school and tuition accounts for 2024/25. 

Mary Ann Whited reported on the reunion of NBC School District alumni along with former Replogle, Woodbury, and Smith alums was held on September 28 at the Replogle Elementary School building. A future reunion is being planned for next year.