Over the summer the Westport Board of Education bought Bedford new flat screen TVs, Blue and yellow doormats and a gym floor because they needed to update the old items.

Last year at this time, Bedford had an old, peeling red gym floor that was “beyond repair,” according to Dr. Rosen. The school also had worn-out gray doormats and old clunky TVs.

The old gym floor was built with the technology that would be appropriate for the 70s and 80s, though the floor was constructed in 2001. The gym floor didn’t wear like it was supposed to, according to Dr. Rosen. Crundun, a local firm put in the new floor. Crundun changed the color of the floor and game lines to “brighten the room,” according to Dr. Rosen. The process started the day after school ended in August. The gym floor cost $240,000, and it was paid for by the Board of Education. The floor will last approximately 40-50 years, and a preventative maintenance program will resurface the floor with new game lines every few years.

The old TVs in the school until last year were CRT televisions that used an analog signal, sucked up electrical energy and couldn’t do much at all. The new flat screens BMS got this year are LED powered and have a digital signal which is more efficient and brighter. Since these TVs use web service to send actions, BMS staff can update what’s on the screens from their smartphones. Bedford ended up purchasing 11 new flat-screens. The “Ursus” staff found out that 11 TVs in that particular model cost roughly $11,000.

Bedford used to have non-absorbent door mats at every entrance. These old mats didn’t do a good job soaking up the water kids and teachers tracked into the school in the morning. The PTA agreed to help supplement the Board of Education buying new mats. All of the new mats ended up being about $7,000.
The new mats are not only absorbing water, but they also have an “aesthetic appeal,” according to Dr. Rosen. The new mats are much more durable. The edge of the mats are beveled to the floor, which makes an easier entrance for handicapped people.
“It’s a very exciting way to start the year,” said Dr. Rosen.