We're excited to share updates on our building renovation project at the Bedford Area School District. Our goal is to create a modern, safe, and inspiring learning environment for our students. Stay tuned for regular updates, including construction progress photos, information on the project timeline, and details about the new features and amenities that will enhance our educational facilities.
Recent Events
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
November 25, 2025
Two weeks ago, the Bedford High School renovation project reached an important milestone, one year since the groundbreaking ceremony. The amount of progress to date is remarkable, and anticipation continues to build as we look ahead to project completion in August 2026. We remain deeply grateful for the ongoing support of the Bison community. Updated drone footage and project photos can be viewed below.
When students return from Thanksgiving break, the newly renovated high school locker rooms will be open for use. Significant renovation work is also underway in the auditorium, transportation office, and the new pupil services suite. The auditorium is expected to be returned to the district at the beginning of January 2026, featuring completely new seating, curtains, lighting, and sound systems.
Exterior progress continues as well. Drilling for the geothermal wellfield is nearly halfway complete, with drilling expected to continue through the end of December. The latest drone footage highlights substantial progress on the new addition, which will serve as the main entrance to the school for students and to the new athletic facility for spectators. Roof replacement has also been completed on many sections of the building, and a new site wall is taking shape near the existing maintenance building.
We are thankful for the community’s patience and support as we work to enhance our facilities for current students and future generations. If you have any questions about this update, please contact Mr. Brian Thompson, Assistant Superintendent, at (814) 623-4260 or by email at thompsonb@bedfordasd.org.
Drone Footage 11.23.2025
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October 17, 2025
BHS Renovation Project Update
As the leaves change and cooler temperatures arrive, we’re excited to arrive at the halfway point of the Bedford High School Renovation Project! It’s remarkable to see how much progress has been made since construction began 10 months ago. Updated drone footage and project photos are available below.
Over the next several weeks, the high school locker rooms and transportation office will be completed and turned back over to the District. Construction is also moving forward on the first-floor corridor between the fitness center and cafeteria. The new pupil services suite is beginning to take shape, offering an exciting preview of a space that will greatly benefit students once complete.
Significant exterior work continues and is easily visible to anyone passing by. The blockwork for the new entrance is progressing quickly, and the retaining wall along Watson Street is nearly finished. Drilling rigs for the geothermal wellfield are now on site, with drilling expected to continue through the end of 2025. The new geothermal HVAC system is scheduled to become operational in March 2026.
We sincerely appreciate the community’s patience and support as we work to enhance our facilities for current students and future generations. If you have any questions about this update, please contact Mr. Brian Thompson, Assistant Superintendent, at (814) 623-4260 or by email at thompsonb@bedfordasd.org.
Drong Footage 10.12.2025
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September 11, 2025
BHS Renovation Project Update
Welcome back, Bisons! We want to thank all students, staff, parents, and community members for helping us begin the 2025–26 school year successfully. As students and staff returned, they were greeted with newly renovated classrooms as well as an active construction zone. The ongoing work in and around the building is fueling great enthusiasm for the future of Bedford High School, a vision that will be fully realized in August 2026.
The District is committed to keeping our community informed about the BHS renovation project by sharing progress updates and highlighting work that may impact students and families. You can view updated drone footage and photos of the project below.
Much progress was made over the summer, both inside and outside the building. Most classrooms on the third floor and basement levels have received new floors, ceilings, lighting, data, and HVAC upgrades, and a fresh coat of paint. The BHS gym is now air conditioned, freshly painted, and approximately 90% complete. Outside, major site work is clearly visible to anyone passing by, and while there is still much to be accomplished, these changes provide an exciting glimpse into the future of BHS.
Currently, renovation work is being completed on the first floor, and the auditorium renovations are progressing with an expected completion date of January 3, 2026. The transportation office and locker rooms are scheduled for completion later this fall. Geothermal well drilling on the football field will begin on September 15th. Additional site work includes construction on the Watson Street wall, the new east side addition, and grading the football field.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and support as we continue to improve our facilities for the benefit of current students and future generations. If you have any questions about this update, please contact Mr. Brian Thompson, Assistant Superintendent, at (814) 623-4260 or by email at thompsonb@bedfordasd.org.
Drone Footage 9.5.
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August 12, 2025
BHS Renovation Project Update & Back-to-School Information
The excitement is building as we prepare to welcome our students back for the new school year on Wednesday, August 20, 2025! We can’t wait to see the smiling faces enter our buildings and witness our students excel in so many ways!
We want to thank the Bison community for your continued support and flexibility during our ongoing construction project. We are excited about the improvements being made to our facilities, which will enhance learning environments and provide long-term benefits for our students and the entire community. As you can see through the press release pictures and videos from when the project started in December, the future is coming to life right in front of our eyes!
We understand that beginning the school year amid construction can bring unique challenges. While significant work has been completed over the summer, some areas of campus, both inside and outside, will remain active construction zones. Construction equipment, workers, and occasional noise will be present at BHS as we begin the 2025-2026 school year. We ask for your continued patience and understanding as our team works diligently to maintain a safe and welcoming school environment.
Student Arrival, Dismissal, and Parking Reminders
Due to ongoing construction in the high school parking lot, student arrival and dismissal procedures at Bedford High School and Bedford Middle School will remain the same as the end of last school year. BHS student bus arrival and dismissal will occur in front of the school on John Street. Parking is prohibited in front of Bedford High School on John Street, from the intersection of Bedford Street to the entrance of the high school parking lot between the hours of 7:00-8:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m. Students needing to drive to school should utilize street parking while adhering to all posted parking regulations.
We understand that parking restrictions may cause some inconvenience, but they are necessary to ensure the safety of our students and the efficiency of school operations. We ask that everyone using street parking be respectful of our neighbors and drive in a manner that ensures the safety of all motorists and pedestrians.
Looking Ahead
While the renovation project has taught us to be adaptable and patient, August of 2026 will prove to be worth the wait. BHS, a centerpiece of our amazing community, will be equipped to serve current and future generations of Bisons with modernized learning spaces, state of the art common areas, and new facilities that will serve both the school and community.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and partnership as we begin this exciting new school year. Please take the time to view updated drone footage and construction photos on our building project below. We will continue to provide regular renovation updates and communicate with our Bison Community throughout the 2025-2026 school year.
For questions related to the renovation project, you may contact Mr. Brian Thompson, Assistant Superintendent at (814) 623-4260 or by email at thompsonb@bedfordasd.org. For questions specific to the start of the school year, please contact your building office.
We wish all students, staff, parents, and community members a safe and successful 2025-2026 school year!
Drone Footage 8.4.2025
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June 12, 2025
Congratulations to the BHS Class of 2025! We wish you the best in your future endeavors! Thank you to all students, staff, parents, and community members for your support and understanding as we finished the last 6 months of the 2024-2025 school year with various complexities due to having school during a construction project!
Since the students and staff concluded the school year, the intensity of the project has increased! We are excited to provide our community with an update on the BHS renovation project. The District’s goals are to update our community on the project status and communicate information that may impact our students or community. Please take a moment to view the updated drone footage and pictures below to see the progress being made.
The end of the school year has made our entire building available to contractors and construction activity. To highlight several current undertakings, extensive renovation work is being completed in 3rd floor classrooms, demolition in the auditorium is in full swing, interior ground level piping is being replaced, and significant site work continues on the Watson Street wall, the new east side entrance, and the exterior stairwell near the locker rooms.
We appreciate your patience and support as we work to improve our facilities for current and future generations of students. Due to construction activities disrupting utility services at BHS, the BHS and administrative offices will have modified office hours until further notice. More information on summer office hours can be found at www.bedfordasd.org. If you have any questions related to the information in this update, please contact Mr. Brian Thompson, Assistant Superintendent at (814) 623-4260 or by email at thompsonb@bedfordasd.org.
Drone Footage: May 29, 2025
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May 8, 2025
We are excited to celebrate 6 months of construction! While this is a milestone, it also represents the Bedford Area School District’s community coming together and actively creating the District’s next chapter. As you can see in the last 6 months of press release pictures, the future is coming to life right in front of our eyes. We enjoy receiving numerous questions from the community, parents, and students. Your interest, support, and willingness to work as a team will result in thousands of students enjoying an optimal educational environment and the building reflecting the pride of the entire community.
Additionally, the building project will directly impact the area’s economic future. In our conversations with local businesses and future business prospects, they often talk about the value of the local school system when making the decision to locate their businesses. As reported in local news, the Bedford County Development Authority (BCDA) received a grant of $2.8 million towards Bedford Business Park II. We believe the building project will enhance the chances of businesses choosing to locate in the Bedford Area School District. The community’s vision of the future and willingness to invest in the project are coming at a pivotal time not only for the District, but for all residents of Bedford County and the surrounding area.
At this point, we are pleased to announce the building project is on schedule and on budget! August 2026 will truly be a memorable month in the history of the Bedford Area School District!
While this release is designed to update our community on the project’s status and communicate information that may impact our students and/or community, we encourage you to drive by the school to see the progress. Additionally, please take a moment to view the updated drone footage and pictures below.
Upcoming construction activities include:
3rd floor and auditorium renovations beginning May 27th.
Continued excavation to build the foundation for the new entrance on the East side of the building.
Installation of the new retaining wall on Watson Street.
Continued work in the BHS gym and transportation wings.
In closing, we value your patience and support as we strive to improve our facilities for current and future generations of students. Additionally, we appreciate the entire community’s teamwork to resolve issues collaboratively and collectively envision the District’s next chapter. If you have any questions related to the information in this update, please contact Mr. Brian Thompson, Assistant Superintendent at (814) 623-4260 or by email at thompsonb@bedfordasd.org.
Drone Footage: May 7, 2025
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April 3, 2025
We are excited to provide our community with an update on the BHS renovation project! We appreciate the Bison Community’s ongoing support of the project and understanding of any inconveniences presented. The District’s goals are to update our community on the project status and communicate information that may impact our students or community. Please take a moment to view the updated drone footage and pictures below to see the progress being made.
The month of March was exciting as new phases of construction began. Continued site work brought noticeable changes to our campus including the demolition of the wall along Watson Street. Additionally, interior construction is taking place with contractors continuing work in the gym and locker room areas as well as on the ground floor transportation office area.
Upcoming construction activities include:
On April 14th, construction will begin on basement-level classrooms on the east end of the building. The impacted classrooms will be relocated to another area of the building for the remainder of the school year.
Completion of the Watson Street wall demolition.
Exterior site work to create a new stairwell around the locker rooms.
Installation of a new data line from BHS to BMS.
Sitework on the east end of the building to prepare for the addition of a new, secure student entrance.
We appreciate your patience and support as we work to improve our facilities for current and future generations of students. If you have any questions related to the information in this update, please contact Mr. Brian Thompson, Assistant Superintendent, at (814) 623-4260 or by email at thompsonb@bedfordasd.org.
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March 26, 2025 Renovation Video
BASD Wall Removal Video
March 13, 2025
We hope that this letter finds you well and enjoying the warm weather! The District is excited to provide our community with an update on the BHS renovation project. We are writing to inform you about upcoming construction activity on the BHS campus near Watson Street.
Beginning the Week of March 17th, construction crews will begin removing the stone wall along Watson Street. The construction is not expected to impact traffic flow on Watson Street and will not extend beyond the current construction fence. Contractors plan to use equipment to remove the wall from the football field side of the structure.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to enhance our facilities for the current and future generations of students and our community. We truly value your support. If you have any questions related to the information in this update, please contact Mr. Brian Thompson, Assistant Superintendent at (814) 623-4260 or by email at thompsonb@bedfordasd.org.
The BHS Stone Wall on Watson Street will be removed.
March 4, 2025
Extensive site work for the BHS renovation project has been underway for nearly 3 months and we are excited to provide our community with an update on the project. We appreciate the Bison Community’s support and cooperation throughout some changes and minor inconveniences that projects of this size present. The District’s goals are to update our community on the project status and communicate information that may impact our students or community. Please take a moment to view the updated drone footage and pictures below to see the progress being made.
While most of the work thus far has been taking place on the exterior of the building, we are excited to share that interior construction will begin next week. Here is a look at the upcoming project dates and activities:
March 10, 2025—Interior construction will begin in the gymnasium and locker room wing. Areas including the high school gym, auxiliary gym, the pit, and locker rooms will be closed to all students and community members beginning March 10th until further notice. This closure will also include the entrance to the gymnasium from John Street. The BHS Fitness Center will remain open during this phase of construction.
March 14, 2025—Interior construction will begin in the transportation and food service offices on the basement-level of the building on the east end. The transportation office has been relocated to another space at BHS while the food service office will move temporarily to Bedford Elementary School.
April 14, 2025—Construction will begin on basement-level classrooms on the east end of the building. The impacted classrooms will be relocated to another area of the building for the remainder of the school year.
We appreciate your patience and support as we work to improve our facilities for current and future generations of students. If you have any questions related to the information in this update, please contact Mr. Brian Thompson, Assistant Superintendent at (814) 623-4260 or by email at thompsonb@bedfordasd.org.
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February 6, 2025
Construction at Bedford High School has been underway for nearly two months and we are excited to provide our community with an update on the renovation project! We appreciate everyone’s support, understanding, and cooperation throughout the project. The District’s goals are to update our community on the project status and communicate information that may impact our students or community. Please take a moment to view the updated drone footage and pictures below to see the progress being made.
We are excited to share the following upcoming project dates and activities:
February 10, 2025—Contractors will begin removing ceiling tiles in the building to be able to access our HVAC and electrical infrastructure. This activity will not impact our regular operations as all areas will remain accessible.
March 10, 2025—Interior construction will begin in the gymnasium and locker room wing. Areas including the high school gym, auxiliary gym, and locker rooms will be closed to all students and community members beginning March 10th until further notice. This closure will also include the entrance to the gymnasium from John Street.
March 14, 2025—Interior construction will begin in the transportation and food service offices on the ground floor of the building on the east end.
April 14, 2025—Construction will begin on basement-level classrooms on the east end of the building. The impacted classrooms will be relocated to another area of the building for the remainder of the school year.
We appreciate your patience and support as we work to improve our facilities for current and future generations of students. If you have any questions related to the information in this update, please contact Mr. Brian Thompson, Assistant Superintendent at (814) 623-4260 or by email at thompsonb@bedfordasd.org.
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January 2, 2025
The Bedford Area School District wishes the Bison Community a Happy New Year! With the calendar turning to 2025, construction for the BHS renovation project is in full gear! The District’s goals are to update our community on the project status and communicate information that may impact our students or community. Please check out the up-to-date construction pictures below to see the current construction work. It is awesome to see this project come to life!
With the excitement of construction comes minor inconveniences. Due to work being completed near the track and soccer facility, the track and soccer field are closed to the public until further notice. We appreciate your patience and support as we work to improve our facilities for current and future generations of students.
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IMPORTANT CHANGES TO DISTRICT BUSSING AND PARENT DROP OFF AND PICKUP ZONES STARTING DECEMBER 19, 2024
Equipment is arriving for the start of the Bedford High School renovation project.
December 12, 2024
The contractors are preparing to remove the light posts on the football field, potentially as early as Monday evening. The visiting bleachers on the football field are going to be moved to the track in the near future as well. This is an exciting time for Bedford High School students and staff, as well as the community!
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Building and Grounds Meeting 11.26.2024
Groundbreaking Ceremony 11.11.2024