Bedford Central school board candidates field questions

First row: Eric Florio, Gilian Klein, Prasad Krishnan, Blakeley Lowry,

Second row: Robert Mazurek, Amal Shady, Leo Sposato

By JEFF MORRIS

The Bedford Central Board of Education election will be held simultaneously with the district budget vote, Tuesday, May 20. There are four open seats, three of which are for full three-year terms running from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, while the fourth seat is to complete an unexpired term and will run from May 21, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

The three highest vote-getters will receive the three-year terms; the fourth highest vote-getter will receive the one-year-plus term. 

There are four incumbents and three new candidates running; each of the new candidates is a resident of Mount Kisco. Responses are presented in the order in which the candidates will appear on the ballot, which was determined in a random drawing by the district clerk.

The Recorder asked each of the seven candidates running for seats on the Bedford Central Board of Education to answer three questions, with responses limited to 250 words. Below are their answers. 

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The Recorder: What are the two most critical issues now facing BCSD, and how should they be addressed?

Leo Sposato: School districts always face a changing landscape. One of the biggest upcoming challenges will be an uncertain economy and the potential loss of federal funding. As national priorities shift, we will need to adapt. As a teacher, I bring a real-time perspective on policy and funding cuts — I see how they directly affect students and hear the concerns of my colleagues. 

Being in the halls and classrooms daily allows me to suggest cost-effective, practical alternatives to help us navigate these difficult waters. The second issue confronting BCSD, which I’ve observed as both a parent and an educator, is  our reputation. As I’ve become more familiar with the district and its strengths and weaknesses, I’ve noticed a sense of disharmony and competition between our elementary schools. BCSD spans a large and diverse geographic area. While each school has its own character to be celebrated, I believe we can create more opportunities for connection among them. As a soccer coach, I see first-hand how friendships form and flourish among children from different schools — friendships that might never have formed otherwise. Events like the Bike Run show us the power of shared, joyful experiences. These connections demonstrate that we can do more to bring our elementary communities together. When we do, our broader community becomes stronger, more respectful, and more united. At the end of the day, there is far more that unites us than divides us. I want to help build those bridges.

Gilian Klein: The focus of public education is to uplift ALL students. BCSD must address the following areas in order to reach this critical goal: continued programmatic, data-driven analysis and improvement; special education action plan, DLBE program assessment, MS/HS schedule; and continued improvements in climate, culture, inclusion, access and student social emotional and physical safety. 

Prasad Krishnan: I believe the two most pressing issues facing our district today are: (1) the allocation of financial resources and (2) the need for comprehensive, long-term budget forecasting. If elected, I will bring a data-driven, statistics-based approach that will ensure our resources are allocated effectively and transparently — always with the goal of maximizing educational opportunities for every student in our district. 

But fiscal responsibility is only one part of the equation. I believe our district needs to start thinking more strategically about the future — not just in terms of budgets, but also in how we plan for future student needs, evolving safety standards, and the staffing and programming needed to support a robust, modern high-ranking school district. By taking a longer-term, holistic view, we will better prepare our students not only for high school, but for life beyond the classroom.

Blakeley Lowry: Two critical issues facing the Bedford Central School District are improving academic outcomes and ensuring resources are being allocated effectively to maximize all learning environments to lift up all students. This is why I voted to approve the budget for 2025-26 because it supports all students across seven buildings with a focus on safety and security while building stronger capacity to track outcomes for better data-driven decision-making.

To improve academic outcomes and address achievement gaps, the district needs to continue to evaluate the impact of several initiatives the Board of Education invested in, including a new literacy curriculum, the action plan for improving the provision of special education services, the integration of the Multi-tiered Systems of Support framework across all grades providing academic and behavioral support for struggling students, and the study on the Dual Language Bilingual Education Program.

To improve resource allocation to meet district needs, standardized procedures and financial forecasting must be put in place to assist in the creation of a fiscally sustainable budget. The district needs leadership and stability in the business office and the facilities department to establish a three-year plan for addressing the safety and maintenance needs of all seven buildings.

Board member continuity and expertise in the fields of finance, data-informed decision-making and continuous quality improvement are important for driving and evaluating academic outcomes and stronger processes and procedures in the next school year.

Amal Shady: Our district requires additional strategic planning techniques and forecasting. We have built a solid foundation over the last few years, but now we need to create a structure for efficient sustainable long-term planning and growth. 

I believe we are in a good place to begin building upon this new foundation. As such, our collective focus should be: (1) standardized processes and procedures for all administrative tasks; (2) long-term financial planning and forecasting (minimum three years); (3) data-driven, risk-based analysis; and (4) risk-driven decision-making in relation to our educational programming and its’ required support system. 

Robert Mazurek: “The district is in a strong financial position and New York state has committed to significant funding. We have been slow to reinvest when we should be bold. Some district leaders have misunderstood our financial history.”

I wrote those words four years ago today. The district has since made strides in a commitment to $62 million of facilities upgrades in athletics, STEAM/unified arts room for middle school, and common areas and state-of-the-art library for high school, repairs and improvements everywhere, air conditioning, and more. We have made courageous efforts to rapidly implement an important change to our literacy curriculum, and a special education review and planning for improvements. We also now celebrate the successes and experiences of our students, families and teachers, as we haven’t done in a long time in building morale. But much more can be done for all programs K-12 districtwide. 

In 2021, I wrote: “Now I am asking the community to elect me to provide direction and oversight for our future as a district by reinvesting in our student programs: library, literacy, music, art, [science], [language], athletics, clubs, [civics], and more.” 

Since this work is not yet complete throughout all the district schools and grades, new challenges arise, and evaluations continue, I am on the ballot again. I am still fighting against a culture of false scarcity, with respect for taxpayers’ perpetual commitments, and for this vision of optimism and investment, rather than scarcity, in our school programs.

Eric Florio: The two most critical issues facing BCSD right now are: (1) allocating resources fairly and effectively across all schools to maximize student academic success and safety and well-being, and (2) ensuring transparency and clarity when implementing policies, especially those that affect students’ school experience, safety, and well-being.

While our resources are limited, we must be responsible stewards and use what we have to achieve the most significant possible impact. That means we shouldn’t be hesitant to invest when we see an opportunity to improve student outcomes. Resource allocation should be guided by data, research, public sentiment, and a strong moral compass, not fear, favoritism, or resentment.

Transparency and community collaboration are equally important as we confront new challenges in our district. 

The board must always act with all students’ safety and well-being at the forefront. We should be able to stand by our decisions without being defensive and be open to hearing from all voices in our diverse community, which will all go to one united middle and high school. That kind of engagement is how we build a stronger board and, ultimately, a stronger school district.

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The Recorder: What strengths and expertise do you bring to the board?

Eric Florio: I bring to the board leadership experience, teamwork, and a strong public policy and administration background. Professionally, I’ve served as a sergeant in the NYPD for nearly two decades, where I’ve led teams through complex and high-stakes situations. I chose to remain in this position, rather than seek promotion, because I believe a sergeant has the greatest ability to shape the next generation of frontline supervisors. I enjoy working directly with others to achieve meaningful results, and I believe leadership is about serving the mission, not personal advancement.

My leadership and teamwork skills have resulted in hundreds of successful outcomes in my field, and those skills transfer directly to board service. Effective board members must be able to think independently, lead when needed, and collaborate often toward a shared goal.

I also bring academic expertise in policy development. I hold a master’s degree in public administration, with a focus on policy and administration. Through this program, I learned to analyze research, assess data, and evaluate the effectiveness of policies. These skills are critical when working with others to develop and implement clear, thoughtful policies that reflect the goals of our district, while remaining lawful in practice.

Robert Mazurek: I bring an unrelenting commitment to first principles in all areas of governance, to building repeatable, fair and transparent procedures, with a view of future tangible rewards for students, families and staff experiences — with 20 years in the district and 14 years experience in our schools. We are in a position to look at financial risks — last, as confident planners do, not first — after a keen evaluation of the plan’s merits alone, and with a healthy, not restrictive frugality. My professional experience spans large private and public organizations such as Microsoft and the Office of the New York State Comptroller and smaller investment firms. 

Amal Shady: I am an operational risk and resiliency specialist with over 20 years of experience in the private sector. I have worked for firms with global footprints in multiple industries to identify resilience related risk, and remediate to the best of their abilities within their agreed upon risk tolerance levels.

As such, I am keenly qualified to assist in the development and implementation of an effective, risk-driven strategic and tactical model for the future of the district.

Blakeley Lowry: My professional background has prepared me to serve this district well. As a public health professional, I’ve worked in health system strengthening through community engagement, listening to multiple stakeholders, using data to inform decision-making and managing priorities to find a way to move forward. As a professor and curriculum chair at SUNY Westchester Community College, I know what it›s like to teach, to lift students up and challenge them to reach their potential.

During my three years as a trustee, I have served on several subcommittees including Curriculum, Instruction and Achievement, Parent Presidents and chairing the Policy Committee and the Special Education Committee. I am proud of the investments we have made to lift up all students and improve academic outcomes, including implementing a new literacy curriculum, building out a Multi-tiered Systems of Support framework across all grade levels, and funding a special education evaluation and action plan that will improve the continuum of services for all students.  

I have a proven track record as a trustee on the Board of Education supporting evidence-based practices to address academic achievement gaps and ensure that funds are being used effectively and efficiently and doing this through respectful discourse with board members, the administration and the community. 

Prasad Krishnan: Professionally, I have over 17 years of experience as a financial services professional at leading Wall Street firms. I bring a strong background in financial analysis, strategic planning, and corporate investing — skills that translate directly to responsible fiscal stewardship and long-term planning in public education. My experience has focused on helping organizations meet complex financial and strategic goals through data-driven decision-making and thoughtful investments to support future outcomes.

Gilian Klein: I have been a school psychologist for 26 years. My career began in NYC supporting underserved communities. I am well versed in the operational functioning of schools. I am the current president of the board, chair of the Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment committee, on the Special Education committee, and served on the Finance and Facilities committee. I supported the adoption of a research-based literacy curricula implemented in all five BCSD elementary schools which has shown improved reading proficiency rates across all elementary schools. With decades of experience in public education and three years of service on the BOE, I bring the skills necessary to be a collaborative and effective leader. I am committed to fostering continuous growth districtwide. I am dedicated to ongoing evaluation and refinement of effective and equitable districtwide systems. I will advocate for fiscally responsible, long-term budgeting that supports all students districtwide.

Leo Sposato:  I am uniquely qualified to address these issues — especially as they relate to students, families, and teachers. I am the only candidate who brings both a lifetime in the classroom and a professional career devoted to education. With 30 years of experience as a high school English teacher, two master’s degrees (in teaching and educational leadership), and direct work with superintendents and school boards on districtwide communication initiatives, I deeply understand how policy decisions affect real classrooms, real educators, and real students.

I am also a 14-year resident of the Bedford Central School District and a bilingual parent of a second grader with an IEP who is enrolled in the dual language program. I’ve seen her grow in both languages, and I’m thrilled with her progress. Much of her development is the result of literacy interventions and the new reading programs introduced this year in second grade at Mount Kisco Elementary. I am committed to ensuring that this important work continues. I truly believe the board needs — and our district deserves — an educator’s voice: someone who understands both the heart and the mechanics of schooling, and who can make thoughtful, informed, student-centered decisions. I am that person.

Throughout my career, I have listened to families, teachers, and students, and worked to build bridges among them. I know I can bring that same approach to the Board of Education. The decisions I make will be grounded in long-term educational goals and a deep commitment to creating opportunities for success for all our students.

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The Recorder: If you are a new candidate, what do you see as the current board’s weakness, and how would you do things better? If you are an incumbent, what do you see as the current board’s weakness (if any) and what would you like to do better?

Blakeley Lowry (incumbent): The Board of Education made strategic investments over the last three years to address gaps in academic achievement. We need to continue to advocate for reporting systems, including being able to track progress in real time, to see what is working and to focus on continuous quality improvement. We need to be able to oversee the establishment of long-term financial planning and forecasting to boost our capacity for sustainable budgeting.

I believe the board can do a better job at showcasing the strengths of our district, spotlighting achievements and student accomplishments. There needs to be a balanced presentation of points of pride for BCSD along with reporting where there is growth and improvement particularly in closing achievement gaps. 

Given that our community is always looking for ways to enrich the experience of our students, there is opportunity for the board to play a role in supporting the creation of a more systemized way of identifying areas of need in the district. This allows for our caring and resourceful community to continue to make contributions that are aligned with board goals and ensures that students across all buildings have access to similar opportunities and enhancements to their learning environments.

Amal Shady (incumbent): The last few years we have spent much of our time putting out fires and creating a fiscally responsible budget. I believe our efforts have been successful. We have a very solid board, with dedicated community members, whose sole goal is the betterment of our district. I would like the opportunity to continue to work with the Board of Trustees.

Prasad Krishnan (new candidate): One of the challenges I believe the board currently faces is the limited capacity — both in time and resources — to focus on forecasting and strategic planning. I want to first recognize and commend the board for its recent accomplishments under pressure: implementing new curricula and navigating significant personnel and administrative turnover. These efforts are no small feat and have required intensive, short-term problem solving.

That said, the urgent demands of recent years have understandably taken precedence over proactive, future-focused strategy. I believe this is where I can add value. With a professional background in corporate finance, I bring expertise in analyzing key data, statistics and financial metrics to drive forecasting — such as spend per student, fixed vs. variable expenses, and cost-benefit analyses. These tools can help ensure that our financial decisions are not only sound today but are positioning our district for long-term success and sustainability.

My goal is to contribute to a board that is both responsive to immediate community needs and strategically focused on maintaining and elevating our standing as a high-ranking school district.

Robert Mazurek (incumbent): The current board can be made better with member’s consistent participation and with individual critical thinking, fact finding, sharing the work and avoiding “groupthink.”  As a high school parent (two times), I see little urgency in looking at the experiences of the oldest cohort or an inquisitive view of the K-12 experience from beginning to end. 

I do see a need to look outside of member’s known experience and comfort areas, toward other experiences in all programs, and support best practices in Westchester County and beyond, in all academic areas. We have made some progress in this, but too often we fall back on the status quo in setting priorities. 

Our district is complex, with a wide geography, diversity, and needs. It is easy to be comfortable only in what we know. But it is important to consider what we do not know, and what requires the board’s advocacy to move forward. Far too often the board itself is trapped in complacency rather than imagination or advocacy, and that is still a weakness. 

I am excited for the future of Bedford Central schools and Fox Lane. With greater imagination and resolve we could have doubled the tax relief in the 2026 budget, and doubled the investment in district programs next year. With greater resolve toward the future, the board would not have rejected one elementary school teacher in a $160 million district. And so we wait another year, and another election, to lean forward.

Gilian Klein (incumbent): The current board has achieved a great deal in terms of fiscal stability and educational programmatic improvements. Needed areas for improvement are strategic standardization of systemwide operational procedures and fiscal reporting in order to ensure district funding is propelling all aspects of BCSD forward. Continuation of experienced, collaborative, transparent, balanced leadership at BCSD is essential. 

Leo Sposato (new candidate): School districts, like all institutions, must continually evolve to meet the changing needs of students. I represent an important part of that evolution. It is time to bring a professional educator onto the board — someone with firsthand experience in the classroom and a deep understanding of the educational landscape.

I don’t believe I’m “better,” nor do I see the current board as having a specific weakness. Rather, I know I bring a valuable, informed, and practical voice to the conversation. If entrusted with the responsibility of shaping policy and making decisions, I will always do so with students’ success as my guiding priority.

Additionally, as a former director of communications for the Yorktown Central School District, I bring extensive experience in public relations and media strategy. Having a clear, capable voice on the board offers us the opportunity to communicate more creatively and effectively with our community — especially as we navigate both internal and external challenges.

These two areas of expertise — classroom experience and communications — are powerful assets to the Board of Education. Being an educator who walks the halls and understands the day-to-day realities of schooling, combined with the ability to craft and share our message with clarity, doesn’t mean maintaining the status quo — it means improving it.

Eric Florio (new candidate): As a new candidate, I believe the board needs more independent thinking and open debate. Too often, when opposition arises, it is quickly dismissed. We need a board that challenges one another respectfully, listens to all perspectives, and is transparent in how and why decisions are made.

It’s also essential that the board, composed of seven members, fairly represents all students from all schools across the district. BCSD is a diverse and complex community, and every school deserves to have its needs, strengths, and concerns reflected in board discussions and decisions. A fair and balanced board strengthens public trust and ensures no group is left behind.

We must also safeguard the democratic process within our board. Decisions should be made through open discussion, with input from all members, not behind closed doors or by a select few. In this election, we have a unique opportunity to bring fresh, neutral thinking supporting that democratic ideal.

I’ve attended board meetings and have a deep respect for the time and commitment each member gives to our district. But I also believe we can do better. If we genuinely want to support student success, we can’t just share information — we must take action. A great board is both informative and performative. Its words and actions. Let’s move beyond just words and commit to doing what’s right for all our schools.