Bedford Central school board election is a lock

LEO SPOSATO

ERIN HAYES

By JEFF MORRIS 

With two candidates running for two open seats on the Bedford Central Board of Education, the election is essentially uncontested. Meet the candidates:

Erin Hayes

A resident of Bedford Corners, Erin Hayes is originally from Ridgefield, Conn. She graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1998 and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 2002.

Hayes says she is running for the Board of Education “because I believe our district is at an important moment — one that requires thoughtful leadership, strong community relationships, and a clear vision for the future.”

She says she is motivated to run because “our district continues to face financial pressure from declining enrollment and ongoing budget constraints. With the SPED study concluded and the DLBE study approaching, we need to properly plan for these implementations.”

Hayes is the parent of a first grader, a fourth grader, and a seventh grader in the district. She says this gives her a firsthand understanding of the student experience across the elementary and middle school levels, allowing her to see “how district decisions impact children and families at different stages of their educational journey.”

She served as president of West Patent Elementary School Association for five years, and says she continues to lead communications efforts while organizing two of its largest annual fundraisers. She is also a current member of The Foundation for BCSD. She has held an elder position for four years at Mount Kisco Presbyterian Church.

Hayes cites work she did with PTA presidents to fight cuts to educational coordinator positions, and says she wants to advocate for a fair share of state aid, against any reductions in art and music time, continued progress in reading and math, and equity across elementary schools. 

Leo Sposato

A Mount Kisco resident, Leo Sposato is running for reelection after having been elected in 2025 to fill the remaining year of an unexpired term. He has 30 years of experience as a high school English teacher in Yorktown, two master’s degrees (in teaching and educational leadership), and has worked directly with superintendents and school boards on district-wide communication initiatives.

Sposato is a 15-year BCSD resident. He said that, as a teacher, he brings a real-time perspective on policy and funding cuts, seeing how they directly affect students and hearing the concerns of his colleagues. He said he could suggest cost-effective, practical alternatives to help navigate difficult waters.

“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.”

Sposato had also decried what he saw as a sense of disharmony and competition among the elementary schools, and said he could help build bridges between them.

“I am uniquely qualified to address these issues,” he said, pointing to a lifetime in the classroom and a professional career devoted to education. 

Sposato said as a former director of communications for the Yorktown Central School District, he has 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,” he said.