BOE candidate Erin Hayes shares her goals

Bedford Central School District voters will be presented with two names – incumbent Leo Sposato and newcomer Erin Hayes – on the ballot for two open seats on the Board of Education. Although the election is essentially uncontested, we invited both candidates to answer some questions about their goals as members of the school board. Sposato, who has been on the BOE since July 1, 2025, did not respond before our print deadline. Hayes sent a written response, which we edited only to reflect the questions we presented.

Erin Hayes

Why did you decide to run? I am 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.

As the parent of three children currently in our district — a first grader, a fourth grader and a seventh grader — I have a firsthand understanding of the student experience across both our elementary and middle school levels. This perspective allows me to see how district decisions affect children and families at different stages of their educational journey.

Please tell us about your background: For years, I have been deeply involved in supporting our schools and strengthening connections across the district. I served as president of WPESA for five years and continue to lead communications efforts while organizing two of its largest annual fundraisers. In addition to my work with WPESA, I am also a current member of the Foundation for BCSD. I have served as an elder at Mount Kisco Presbyterian Church for the past four years.

My districtwide perspective has been shaped by attending years of monthly parent president meetings with various district groups and administration members. These experiences have given me a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing all our schools and groups at every level.

What will you bring to the school board? My leadership has always focused on bringing people together to solve problems. Two years ago, when educational coordinator positions across our elementary schools were at risk of being cut, I worked closely with PTA presidents from the other schools and our respective communities to build support, develop solutions and advocate for these critical student-facing roles. Together, while working with the BOE, our efforts helped preserve these positions for our schools.

I am motivated to run because our district continues to face financial pressure from declining enrollment and ongoing budget constraints. With the special education study concluded and the dual-language bilingual education study approaching, we need to plan properly for these implementations.

I also believe we must be more proactive and strategic in advocating for our fair share of state aid. Despite the wide socioeconomic range within our district, we receive comparatively less aid than many neighboring districts. I want to better understand and strengthen what we are currently doing to maximize available funding — whether through fully utilizing building aid opportunities, identifying transportation efficiencies that may qualify for additional reimbursement or ensuring we are taking advantage of every eligible program. Just as importantly, I believe we should actively engage with our state legislators to make the case for districts like ours, where averages do not fully reflect the needs within our community. Stronger advocacy and smarter use of available aid can help us protect programs, support students and plan more effectively for the future.

What are your priorities? One challenge that continues to surface is the threat of reducing art and music time because of physical education compliance requirements. I strongly believe we must find creative and practical ways to meet PE mandates without sacrificing the art and music programs that are so vital to a well-rounded education.

I am also deeply committed to supporting our district’s upward momentum in academics. Our recently implemented reading and math programs are already showing encouraging gains, and I want to ensure we stay the course so that all students continue to benefit from this progress.

Equity across our elementary schools is another key priority for me. Our district is one of incredible diversity, with both a strong special education community and a wide socioeconomic range. It is one of the reasons my family moved to Bedford and one I believe is a strong advantage for all our students. I want to ensure that every child in every school has access to the same strong educational experiences.

Why should people vote for you? My strengths are leadership, relationship-building, collaboration and action. I am a doer who brings people together, listens carefully and works toward practical solutions. I want to help guide long-term district planning so we remain financially responsible, continue moving forward and strengthen our standing in Westchester County.