Attendees react to the Bedford County School Board’s vote to close Stewartsville Elementary School during its meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford on Thursday.
Matthew Perschall, The News & Advance
Nora Bryan, a sixth grader at Staunton River Middle School, makes a public comment during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Matthew Perschall/The News & Advance)
Matthew Perschall,The News & Advance
People listen on a speaker to the Bedford County School Board meeting from outside the School Administration Office in Bedford, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Matthew Perschall/The News & Advance)
Matthew Perschall,The News & Advance
Attendees listen as the board votes to close Stewartsville Elementary School during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Matthew Perschall/The News & Advance)
Matthew Perschall,The News & Advance
The Bedford County School Board meets in the School Administration Office in Bedford on Thursday.
Matthew Perschall, The News & Advance
Former Bedford County School Board Chair Marcus Hill makes a public comment during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Matthew Perschall/The News & Advance)
BEDFORD — Just before the Bedford County School Board meeting started on Thursday — the meeting at which the board would decide whether or not to close Stewartsville Elementary School — a sign fell off the wall.
A person in the audience holds up a sign reading "Fund Our School" during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Stewartsville teacher Casey Stanley makes a public comment against closing Stewartsville Elementary School during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office on Thursday.
Vice-Chairman Kurt Hubach speaks during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Matthew Perschall/The News & Advance)
Attendees react to the Bedford County School Board’s vote to close Stewartsville Elementary School during its meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford on Thursday.
A person in the audience holds up a sign reading "Fund Our School" during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Nora Bryan, a sixth grader at Staunton River Middle School, makes a public comment during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Matthew Perschall/The News & Advance)
Stewartsville teacher Casey Stanley makes a public comment against closing Stewartsville Elementary School during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office on Thursday.
People listen on a speaker to the Bedford County School Board meeting from outside the School Administration Office in Bedford, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Matthew Perschall/The News & Advance)
Attendees listen as the board votes to close Stewartsville Elementary School during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Matthew Perschall/The News & Advance)
Vice-Chairman Kurt Hubach speaks during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Matthew Perschall/The News & Advance)
Former Bedford County School Board Chair Marcus Hill makes a public comment during the Bedford County School Board meeting in the School Administration Office in Bedford, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Matthew Perschall/The News & Advance)