About Our Foundation

The Bedford City Schools Foundation invests in a learning environment empowering students and teachers to be successful in academic endeavors. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 that hosts fundraisers to support scholarships and mini grants that typically fall outside of the District’s budget. The governing board’s membership includes up to twenty-five volunteer trustees consisting of parents, community members, business owners and educators both current and retired.

Your participation in the fundraising efforts along with cash donations and sponsorships, makes a difference in opportunities for both students and our educators.

Our Trustees

The members of our board of directors are thought leaders who have made a significant contribution to our society. Each and every one of them brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization.

  • Martha A. Motsco, Esq. – President

    Marty is a graduate of Bedford High School, and she spent her entire career as an educator in the Bedford Schools. She was a Teacher, Supervisor of Elementary Education, Principal, Director of Pupil Services, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent. During her twelve years as Superintendent, she served as Executive Director of the Foundation. Following her retirement, she continued as a Trustee of the Foundation and was elected President in 2017. Mrs. Motsco was named the first Bedford Schools Teacher of the Year. Among her other honors include the Ohio Superintendent Outstanding Performance Award from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, Distinguished Educator Award from the Cuyahoga Valley Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, Ohio Educational Administrator of the Year from the Educational Office Professionals of Ohio, Ohio PTA Achievement Award from the Bedford Council of PTA, Woodrow Shipley Award from the Bedford Board of Education, and Outstanding Superintendent Award from the Northeast Region of the Ohio School Boards Association. She was also inducted into Bedford High School’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Mrs. Motsco earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from The Ohio State University, a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Kent State University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Akron School of Law. Following her retirement, Mrs. Motsco served as Director of the First Ring Superintendents’ Collaborative. She enjoys traveling, volunteering, and supporting Foundation initiatives because the proceeds directly benefit the students and teachers of the Bedford Schools.

  • Dr. Cassandra Johnson

    Dr. Johnson is no stranger to the community, joining BCSD in 2017 and serving for the last

    five years as BCSD’s assistant superintendent and most recently appointed as the interim

    Superintendent.


    Dr. Cassandra J. Johnson graduated from Ashland University with her undergraduate degree in Computer Science Education. She obtained a Masters in Computer Science (Curriculum & Instruction) from Ashland University and earned her licensure in 4-9 and 7-12 Principalship. In December 2014, Dr. Johnson graduated from Concordia University Chicago with a PhD in Educational Leadership along with her superintendent licensure.


    She’s a veteran of public education, working as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and

    human resources director in other school districts before joining the Bedford City Schools

    family in 2017.


    Dr. Johnson is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, currently serves as President

    Elect of OASPA (Ohio Association of School Personnel Administrators), has served as the

    OASSA (Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators) Zone 6 Director for several

    years, is the former President of CAMERA (Cleveland Area Minority Educator Recruitment

    Association), a proud member of Metro C.A.B.S.E, and a member of the OASSA Women’s

    Leadership Conference Committee. She has served as an adjunct professor for Baldwin

    Wallace and Concordia University Chicago and is a current adjunct for Walsh University.

  • Ed Blount – Vice President

    Ed joined the Board of Trustees in 1993. He serves in the capacity of Vice President and has been a past Treasurer. Mr. Blount earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Hiram College.  He enjoys golf, gardening, and winemaking. His favorite Foundation event is the golf outing because he gets to play and it helps to raise the awareness of the Foundation’s mission in raising funds for scholarships.

  • Paul J. Kostansek – Secretary

    Paul graduated from John Carroll University and started his career as an English teacher at Shaw High School. He was hired as a Guidance Counselor in Bedford in 1970 and served in that position for 16 years. After receiving his certification in School Administration from Cleveland State University, Paul worked in various positions as Assistant Principal, Secondary Supervisor, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction before becoming Assistant Superintendent. Over his career, he served as Senior Class Advisor, Chairperson of Strategic Planning, and Administrative Leader of Professional Negotiations. Paul was awarded the Woodrow Shipley Award in 1995. After his retirement in 2001, Paul worked for the Ohio Dept. of Education in School Improvement, as a field consultant for NCA-CASI and as an Adjunct Professor for Ashland University. Paul has been a member of the Rotary Club in Bedford and now Aurora for the past 20 years. He and his wife Marilyn enjoy golf, walking, travel, and spending ‘me with their grandchildren.  He is a charter member of the Foundation and finds the Golf Outing to be his favorite event.

  • Trish Duncan – Treasurer

    Trish joined the Board of Trustees in 2014.  She is a Career-Tech business teacher in the district and recently received her Master’s Degree in Special Education at Kent State University.  She has two grown children who both graduated from Bedford Schools.  She has been the President of the Bedford Education Association since 2012.  In her free time, Trish heads up the Bedford High School Football Concession stand on behalf of the Bedford Council of PTA, which provides all the concessions for the Bedford, Benedictine and Trinity home games at our awesome Bedford Stadium.  All proceeds from the Concession Stands goes towards PTA’s Safety Town, the support of educational programs in various buildings and high school scholarships.  Trish has been an active member of Bedford’s PTA since 1990, having served as President of Columbus PTA twice and PTA Council President twice.  Her commitment to PTA has awarded her the Ohio PTA’s Lifetime Membership Award. Bedford Board of Education awarded her with the Heart of Bearcat Award for her commitment to the students and families of Bedford City Schools.  She currently lives in Bedford and has lived in the Bedford City School District since 1984.  She also serves as a Eucharistic Minister and Altar Server at St Mary’s Church.  Trish’s favorite Foundation event is the Holly Ball, where everyone is festive and fun as they all come together for a great cause.



  • Merry Anne Hilty

    Merry Anne joined the Board of Trustees in 2009. Mrs. Hilty is the proud mother of two Bedford graduates. A retired school teacher, she dedicated thirty-five years to the Bedford Schools. She taught at various elementary schools and then finished her last twenty years teaching English at Heskett. She was twice named Bedford’s “Teacher of the Year”, and was the recipient of the Martha Holden Jennings Foundations’ “2000 Master Teacher Award.” She was given the Woodrow Shipley Award in 2003. She also served as a Bedford City Schools Board Member for four years. Mrs. Hilty earned a B.S. degree in elementary education and a B.A. degree in English from the University of Findlay. She earned her Masters in Education from Kent State. She is a member of the Bedford Historical Society, Church Council and Pastor Parish Committee. She enjoys bridge, mah-jongg, and traveling ~ especially cruises. She is an avid Browns, Buckeyes, Cavaliers, and Indians fan, and, of course, those wonderful Bedford Bearcats! Having always lived in the community, Mrs. Hilty has truly enjoyed her involvement with the schools, as a parent, teacher, and colleague.  Mrs. Hilty’s late husband, Paul, also taught in Bedford for thirty-four years and served tirelessly as a Foundation Board Member of the Foundation for many years until his death. She is now looking forward to serving on the Foundation, having worked as a volunteer in the past. She loves all of the yearly events, knowing that the profits will directly benefit the students and teachers of the Bedford School Community.



  • Gina Callender

    Gina Callender

    Gina Callender joined the Board of Trustees in 2018.  She is a 1988 graduate of Bedford High School and the mother of 4 children, 2 of whom have graduated from Bedford High School, as well.  Gina earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Baldwin – Wallace College and her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University.  She has spent the last 24 years of her career in social services.  Gina started as a child protection caseworker and moved up through the ranks in Cuyahoga County.  Until recently, she was a social program administrator for the county and ran the North Central Ohio Regional Training Center, which is one of eight regional centers in Ohio, part of the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP).  In April 2021, Gina left Cuyahoga County/NCORTC to accept the position of Program Liaison and CEU Manager, for Ohio’s University Consortium for Child and Adult Services (OUCCAS), which is the state training coordinator for both OCWTP and the Ohio Human Services Training System (OHSTS).  She serves on both the OCWTP and OHSTS Steering Committees.  Gina is a licensed social worker in the state Ohio.  She loves to cook, travel and spend time with her husband, children and grandchildren.  

  • Brett Holycross

    Brett Holycross is a 55-year-old resident of Bedford Heights, and a '85 graduate of Bedford High School.  After ending his career at a company in Hudson, he purchased  and is now the owner/operator and chief bottle washer at Sirna's Cafe,  795 Broadway, Bedford and has been there several years now. Outside of his day job as restaurateur, he enjoys playing golf, getting to know new people, and has a big heart in helping others. Brett is single and described as very social and prefers socializing with all sorts of folks.  He loves his role in organizing the golf outing fundraiser for Foundation the first Friday of August.  If there any questions about the Golf Outing or any Foundation event, stop in to Sirna’s and ask for Brett.

  • Lasure Jones

    Lasure joined the Board of Trustees in 2019. Lasure is the proud mother of three Bedford graduates. A retired school teacher, she dedicated twenty-three years to the Bedford Schools. She did her student teaching at Heskett Middle School; she was one of the inaugural teachers at Center Academy (the alternative setting for Bedford High School); she taught one year at Heskett before moving to and finishing her career at the High School. She was named Bedford’s “Teacher of the Year” in 2003.  Lasure was very involved with the students – serving as advisor for several groups: SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions; Black History Program; Best of the Best (annual city-wide school modeling competition) and co-advisor for TLC (Teens Who Listen and Care).  Lasure earned an A.A.B.M. from Tri-C; a B.A. in Business with a minor in Marketing from Cleveland State University and her B.S. in Secondary Education (7-12 teaching certificate in English) also from CSU. She later earned her Master of Education Degree in Educational Administration from Ashland University.  Lasure was a member of the Oakwood community for over 30 years and was actively involved as Recreation Secretary, Planning Commission Secretary, Baseball Commissioner and ran for Council Representative of her Ward. She is a member and past head usher/greeter of Mt. Zion where she has also taught Vacation Bible School.  She is on the Board of Directors of POP (Prince of Peace Entertainment). Lasure enjoys recreational time with her family, grandchildren, traveling, acting, and monthly family game nights. Lasure is co-chair of the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee and web page design.  She is looking forward to working with the Foundation members and the Bedford Community and was honored when asked to join.




  • Chris Kostura

  • Vic Fluharty

    Vic joined the Board of Trustees in December of 2019. Vic is a graduate of Bedford High class of 73! From there he went on to Tri- C on a baseball and basketball scholarship. He then ended up playing 2 years of class A ball in Florida, in an independent league. He also had a tryout in Sarasota with the Chicago White Sox’s. He and his wife Sandi have been married for 41 years, they have 3 children – Kim, Bryan, and Patrick. All of them also are graduates of Bedford. Together they have 4 grandsons and one more on the way, in September. Vic is a retired teamster, he is also worked at the high school as a security officer. He also was a basketball, baseball and football coach! Now, he is retired and 3 years ago he ran for the councilman position and won. So now Vic is very involved with the city of Bedford. Just last January his colleagues voted him in to be Vice Mayor of the city of Bedford. Vic’s take a lot of pride in that specialty because he has lived here for 60 years!

    Vic states” I care about this town and the school district – it gave me my education and experience with athletic’s that paved my way through life. I owe a lot to Bedford!”

    -Councilman Vic Fluharty!

  • Bud McNellie

    Bud is a 1962 graduate of Baldwin Wallace College.  He was hired in 1966 as the Head Football Coach and Math Teacher for Bedford High School.  In 1974 Bud was named Admin. Assistant while still coaching football.  The following school year he became a full-time administrator.   He retired in 1995 from the position of Associate Principal.


    During his career, he was President of the Greater Cleveland Football Coaches Association and a recipient of their Golden Deeds Award.  In 1980 he was inducted into the Bedford Athletic Hall of Fame.  In 1989 he was awarded the Woodrow Shipley Award.


    After his retirement, Bud was employed by the Cleveland Indians for three years as a Manager of a merchandise stand.


    In 1998 Bud became a licensed real estate agent. In 1974 Bud took up running as a form of exercise and found out he had the ability to run well for long distances.  This led to him competing in many marathons including all of the first 39 Cleveland Marathons.  An accomplishment that was unmatched.  He competed in the Boston Marathon three different times.  He taught himself on organizing running events and when the Bedford City Schools Foundation was formed, a road race was started as the first fundraiser.  Bud has been the director of that race since that time.  Bud also enjoys the golf outing and holly ball.


     

  • Sherry Pidala, Esq.

    Ms. Pidala joined the Board of Trustees in 1993 and has served as President and Vice President in 2000 and 1999 respectively. Ms. Pidala was the Co-Chair and ultimately Chair of the Holly Ball & Silent Auction Committee from 2000 to 2019.  She attributes the success of the Holly Ball to the support and help of the committee members and the entire board. She also serves on the BCSF Scholarship Review Committee and, previously, the Teacher Grant Committee.  

    She is an alumni of the Bedford City Schools, obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in business from Bowling Green State University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Akron School of Law.  Ms. Pidala is an attorney for Pidala Law Office which had been located in Bedford for more than 50 years.  She had specialized in the areas of Criminal Law, Family Law, Juvenile Law, Personal Injury, Probate and Estate Law. She currently has downsized her law practice, has established a home office and accepts select cases.  Ms. Pidala is also a CPA, a Magistrate for the Bedford Municipal Court and the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division Community Diversion Program. Ms. Pidala is a past member of Bedford Rotary, the Ohio Association for Justice, Cleveland Academy of Trial Lawyers, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Ohio Bar Association.  

    Having served as Co-Chair and Chair of the Holly Ball Committee, this is her favorite BCSF event.  She has developed a sincere appreciation for the generosity of the community with their donations and participation in this Gala, knowing that all proceeds directly support the Foundation’s mission.  Ms. Pidala looks forward to a time when the Foundation’s events are again in person and to spending more time traveling with her husband of 25 years.


  • Kathie Pfleger

    Kathie joined the Board of Trustees in May of 2010. Mrs. Pfleger brings a wealth of experience to this group as a life-long resident of Bedford.  Kathie retired from the Bedford City Schools after thirty-five years, while serving most of that time as a first-grade teacher. She is a former recipient of Bedford’s Teacher of the Year. She was also named as a Jennings Scholar and was the recipient of the prestigious Woodrow Shipley Award. Kathie is actively involved with the Bedford Methodist Church, where she sings in the Chancel Choir, chairs the Pastor Parish Committee, and co-chairs the Worship Committee. Kathie also works diligently for the Bedford Historical Society, as a Board Member and Secretary of the Trustees. She also heads the Bedford Elementary School’s third-grade annual field trip there. Kathie is an avid reader and enjoys membership in both a Book Club and a Study Group. She has inherited her grandmother’s Button Collection, so she is frequently researching family genealogy and button history. She has given many talks on this antique collection. Kathie said she has been aware of the Bedford Foundation since it began and now looks eager to give back to her community and school affiliation by serving as a Board Member.



  • Doug Thomas

    Doug Thomas was appointed to the Trustees roster July 2021. He is a 2002 Bedford High

    School graduate, where he was a member of the soccer, cross country, and wrestling teams.

    Doug graduated Hofstra University, where he majored in Political Science and English, and

    was a member of the nationally ranked wrestling team. Doug also has a master’s degree

    English Education from Fordham University.

    After beginning his career in politics and education, Doug began a career in the financial

    services industries. He currently works for Equitable Advisors as a Financial Professional. In addition to his professional work, Doug is a wrestling coach at Lakewood High School and

    Case Western Reserve University. He also volunteers in the Bedford City School district to

    provide financial education to business classes.

  • Tim Tench

    Tim joined the Board of Trustees in 2003. Mr. Tench, a 1969 Bedford City School graduate, is President of the Board of Education, elected to the Board in 2006. He has raised two daughters, both Bedford alumni and now has a grandson in the Bedford City School system. He is a retired Cleveland Heights/University Heights School system Tradesman where he also served as a union representative and chief shop steward for Warner & Swasey. Mr. Tench is a massage therapist and also plays in a rock and roll band playing venues from Michigan to West Virginia. He is the Co-Chair of the golf outing and has served on the Chris Valley Scholarship selection committee. He has no preference as to a favorite event that the Foundation sponsors because they each have their own personalities and have the specific goal of bringing together the community to support raising funds for scholarships.



  • Cynthia Thompson

    Cynthia joined the Board of Trustees in 2019.  She is the Business Office Coordinator of Compassus Hospice, located in Seven Hills.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from John Carroll University.  Cynthia has one son, Isiah Taborn, who graduated from Bedford High School in 2019 and was the 2019 recipient of the Paul G. Ward Jr. scholarship, which is how she became interested in the foundation.  During her son’s school years, Cynthia was an active parent and was also a member of the PTA and PTSA. She currently lives in Bedford Heights. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, wine tasting, and shopping.  Cynthia loves children and usually has a house full of them due to her son’s friends coming over. Cynthia is currently co-chair of the Scholarship Committee and is looking forward to participating in many events and helping the students and teachers of the Bedford School District.



  • Sharyn Macklin

    Mrs. Sharyn Macklin was assigned by the Board of education at their January 2023 Organizational

    Meeting to be the School Board’s Representative as a Trustee to the Foundation. Mrs. Macklin was

    elected to the Board of Education in 2021 and began her service as a board member in January 2022. A

    lifelong Oakwood resident, Mrs. Macklin has deep roots in the Bedford City School District.

         Mrs. Sharyn, the name everyone knows her by, is no stranger to the Bedford City School District. Not

    only did she graduate from the high school, she has also been a longtime volunteer with the district. She

    was a Bedford school bus driver for 10 years and a security officer/custodian for 27 years.

         Mrs. Macklin has always been about the students! Her passion for the students has been felt over

    several generations in the halls of the high school and on the bus. In October 2019, she was featured on

    the local news and even Good Morning America for saving a then fifth-grader from being hit by a car

    who did not obey the bus stop sign. This is just one example of many of how Mrs. Sharyn always puts

    the students first.

         Mrs. Sharyn loves her community, which is why she ran for the Board. During her time on the Board,

    she will focus on curriculum, graduation rate, increasing enrollment, and supporting alumni.

Emeritus

  • Hilary Taylor, Esq. – President Emeritus

    Hilary Taylor was a Founding Member of The Foundation in 1993.  He graduated from Bedford High School in 1963 and was a member of the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.  Hilary earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Central State University and received his Juris Doctorate from Cleveland State University College of Law.  Hilary was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.  Mr. Taylor was a long time partner in the Cleveland Law Firm of Weston Hurd.  Throughout his career, he focused on municipal and government liability and civil rights.  In addition, he taught as an Adjunct Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law and served in leadership roles on many legal and civil justice committees.  His hobbies included a love for singing and skill as an amateur photographer.


    Hilary Taylor served in the role of President of The Foundation for twenty (20) years. During his tenure the organization grew quickly and became established financially and an integral part of the Bedford community.  Annual student college scholarships, teacher grants and

    educational program funding benefited hundreds of students.


    Hilary Taylor passed away on November 6, 2020 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.


    One of his colleagues on the Board remembers Hilary in these words:


    “Hilary was a wonderful person who was loved by all of us who knew him.  He was always a gentleman, kind and caring, a loyal friend and a true Bearcat.”


    Mr. Taylor was also featured on NewsNet5. CLICK HERE  to view the article/video in our News section!

Become a Trustee

From time to time the Bedford City Schools Foundation is looking to recruit new members to serve on the Board of Trustees. If you are interested please click the link below to get access to the Trustee Application.

TRUSTEE APPLICATION

Our History


In 1991, a Strategic Plan was developed in the Bedford City School District. Strategy #10 called for the creation of educational Foundation to support the schools.


Superintendent Dr. George Bowdouris appointed Bud McNellie as chairperson of the committee to implement the strategy. Having researched other Foundations, he was excited to take on the challenge. The committee, now referred to as Founding Members, included Ed Blount, Paul Kostansek, Bud McNellie, Sherry Pidala, and Hilary Taylor.

A non-profit status as a 501(c)3 was approved in 1992.


Shortly thereafter, the Zonta Club of Bedford, under the leadership of Ruth Siegel, dissolved the organization and donated $5,000 to the Foundation. (Ruth Siegel was Secondary Curriculum Supervisor in the Bedford Schools.)

 

In May of 1992, the Foundation awarded its first four-year scholarship and over the years, the awards have grown. By 2019, there were sixty-two (62) Foundation scholarships each $1,000 for four years; sixteen (16) ‘Chris Valley’ Scholarships – $500/year; five (5) one year Art Scholarships – $500 one time award; and three (3) ‘Paul G. Ward’ Scholarships – $500/year. Teacher grants have been awarded since 1997 totaling approximately $6,000 annually. Other expenditures included support for educational programs, speakers, student field trips and special events.

 

Membership currently consists of twenty-three (23) Trustees; however, many other individuals have served over the years. The Foundation since its inception has worked with five superintendents – Dr. Bowdouris, Martha Motsco Esq., Sherm Micsak, Dr. Andrea Celico, and Dr. Cassandra Johnson.

 

We encourage you to be part of our history!


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