It’s difficult to pinpoint the worst part of BCSD Board of Education President Ed Reder’s letter (“Actions of ‘activist group’ are politicizing BOE elections,” May 12). To name one, he falsely labeled Every Single Student, a group of which I’m a member, a “political organization” which he mu…

At the May 4 KLSD Board of Education meeting, I listened with dismay to two dozen heartbreaking stories of KLSD children who failed to learn to read in their early elementary years. These smart, hard-working students struggled despite language-rich home environments and attentive, highly-edu…

 At the Dec. 6, 2022 public hearing on the 2023 budget, taxpayers expressed concern on the lack of actual financial statements beyond 2019. The board was already well aware of taxpayer interest in current actual financial statements, having received a FOIL request three months earlier. In re…

The BCSD board election is coming up in two days on Tuesday, May 16. I will definitely be voting for Kristine Stoker.  I encourage everyone to read the large article in the May 5 issue of The Record-Review, which was a roundtable presenting the same six questions to each of the four candidat…

Entering this campaign, I expected that there might be nominal mudslinging. That is, fortunately or unfortunately, part of the game. I had, perhaps foolishly, expected negative campaigning to be superficial, brush it off your shoulder, back-and-forth.

Improved academic outcomes and social emotional wellness are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they depend on one another, and BCSD has the capacity to support both.

A recent Supervisor’s Update email and newspaper article quotes contain factual errors.  

I couldn’t be happier to support Bill Swertfager’s candidacy for KLSD BOE. He and his family’s connections run far and wide through our district. He has made a difference in so many lives. He is a communicator as evidenced by a tremendous coaching career — a skill which will come in handy as…

I am writing in support of Kristine Stoker for BCSD Board of Education. Kristine is an amazing single mother who is dedicated to tirelessly advocating for the best education for her three children and all students at BCSD.

I recently learned Betsy (Elizabeth) Sharma is a candidate for your school board. I cannot recommend anyone more highly to your community.

It was pure kismet that we landed in the John Jay school district after moving from Wellesley, Massachusetts, as our sons had just taken up wrestling and they were blessed with coach Bill. 

Many parents encouraged us to get our son involved with coach Bill’s wrestling program when he was eligible. Initially, Bill Swertfager’s personality and positive attitude was just a neighborhood legend we heard about. But after our son’s extraordinary experience wrestling, our family now af…

Having lived through an entire educational career in the BCSD, I’ve had a birds eye view of the excellence that is yet to be tapped in our school district. I have been a staunch advocate of innovation in our schools and looking for the right representation on our school board to take the bal…

About a week ago, I submitted an email request to our new Rep. Mike Lawler. I asked him to clarify his stance on the debt ceiling. In the House vote, he voted in favor of massive cuts to veteran’s benefits among other things. I call upon Mike Lawler to make public his position on this issue.…

I have had the pleasure of knowing Bill Swertfager for over 13 years, and throughout this time, he has proven to be a selfless, giving, and honest member of the Katonah-Lewisboro community. He has positively impacted hundreds of people’s lives within and outside our town.

It’s hard to put into words how highly we regard Bill Swertfager. We have known him for seven years since the day our son joined the John Jay wrestling team with no experience whatsoever, and he was welcomed and transformed by the experience.  We watched in awe the way that Bill ran that tea…

My family and I have had the pleasure of knowing Liz Goldman-Sider for this past year, as she guides and supports our daughter (and us). I have come to truly appreciate the passion with which she approaches her life’s work and her commitment to those for whom she cares. She maintains high et…

Bill Swertfager has dedicated his life to bringing up those around him. He is a true leader and has had such a positive impact on KLSD for years and years. Anyone who has had the privilege to be coached by Bill will say that his integrity, dedication and leadership is unmatched. Not to menti…

Bill Swertfager has my vote for the KLSD Board of Education. Bill is a good person, a family man, a local business owner and has a deep understanding of the issues and opportunities within our district. 

After witnessing the travesties that took place with the KLSD current board over the last year, it is time for a change and it’s time for the community’s voice to be heard loud and clear. Bill Swertfager has dedicated his life teaching, guiding and mentoring children in this community. Play …

I wanted to share a few thoughts in response to a letter to the editor mentioning my name (“Board candidates need to be connected to our schools,” April 28). The suggestion that I am “without having any real first-hand experience with the  school district” makes an assumption without any fac…

I’ve known Betsy Sharma for a bit over a year now, but in this brief period I found her to be such an amazing human being overall and she quickly became an asset in my life. I found her to be extremely caring and supportive especially when it comes to our children’s well-being. And I’m very …

Bill Swertfager is a strong, kind, smart, get the job done, passionate leader. He has shown his remarkable leading skills and ability through his coaching. Bill will be an amazing addition to the Katonah-Lewisboro School Board. His voice on the board is what so many of us parents have been w…

I attended the May 4 KLSD Board of Education meeting and came away alarmed. Some two dozen frustrated parents and students gave startling accounts about their experiences with reading instruction in this district, providing a glimpse of just how large the literacy problem is in our community.

I am writing to urge all KLSD voters to write in “Samantha Hirsh” for the Board of Education on May 16.

I am writing to support Betsy Sharma in her candidacy for BCSD Board of Education. I met Betsy over 10 years ago when her four daughters took classes at my dojo. Written in the center of the main wall, are our five main traits we teach towards: To Seek Perfection of Character, To Be Sincere …

Bill Swertfager has my vote for the KLSD Board of Education. Bill is a good person, a family man, a local business owner and has a deep understanding of the issues and opportunities within our district. 

I have two children with autism; my daughter graduated in 2021 and my son is a junior at Fox Lane High School. I have been a vocal advocate not just for my children, but for all children with disabilities in our district. I have worked collaboratively with school administrators and multiple …

I will be writing-in Samantha Hirsh for Katonah-Lewisboro School District’s May 16th Board of Education election and, if you are eligible to vote in that school district, I implore you to do the same. Remember, you do not have to have children in the schools to be an eligible voter. If you l…

I am writing this letter of endorsement for Bill Swertfager as a KLSD BOE candidate. 

On May 16, I will be voting for Kristine Stoker for the Bedford Central School Board.

I hope KLSD voters will join me in writing-in Samantha Hirsh for the Board of Ed on May 16.

I am writing to support Betsy Sharma who is running for the BCSD Board of Education. Not only is Betsy a fair and open-minded person, but she will remain objective and levelheaded in board and district activities. Betsy has four daughters who have graduated or are still attending BCSD. She h…

Bill Swertfager will truly be a voice for our community as he is someone who wants the best for our kids, just like we do. He listens, asks questions, takes feedback, and will work tirelessly to make the Katonah-Lewisboro School District the best it can be. He will take his role on the board…

I write as a member of our community, not on behalf of any organization. After a decade of Board of Education service, aside from my own efforts as a candidate, I have not publicly written here or on social media. Today, I share insights about an unprecedented organization at Bedford Central…

In his letter to the editor, ("Actions of 'activist group' are politicizing BOE elections), Ed Reder seems to think it's a problem when parents and community members work together to talk with our neighbors to support candidates whom we think will bring much needed change to the school board…

Entering this campaign, I expected that there might be nominal mudslinging. That is, fortunately or unfortunately, part of the game. I had, perhaps foolishly, expected negative campaigning to be superficial, brush it off your shoulder, back-and-forth.

America faces a preventable default crisis all because MAGA extremists and their leader, Kevin McCarthy, are pushing for painful cuts to essential programs, and Congressman Mike Lawler has done nothing to stop it. Even though America has always managed to meet its financial obligations, this…

I am sitting in my kitchen in Bedford reading “Magic in Apuleius’ Apologia: Understanding the Charges and the Forensic Strategies in Apuleius’ Speech” by Leonardo Costantini. This book was borrowed from the library of the University of Wyoming at Laramie.

We wholeheartedly support Bill Swertfager for the KLSD Board of Education. We can vouch for the many qualities, professional experience and skills he will bring to the school board.

When I think about Bill Swertfager, integrity, honesty and grit are three of the words that immediately come to mind. Our youngest son wrestled for him and it was one of the best experiences he has had in his life. There was never a time where after reaching out to him for some help or guida…

As a 20-year-plus member of the Katonah-Lewisboro community, I have known Bill Swertfager and his family forever. Our families’ paths intersected at school in the sporting venues and at religious services. He has built sports programs single handedly, he has participated as a religious instr…

In mid-August 2021, Liz Goldman-Sider proclaimed, “We will be moving to Pound Ridge this weekend. Yay!” to the Pound Ridge/Bedford Parents Facebook page. Ms. Goldman-Sider moved here from another school district where her children graduated.

Bill Swertfager is the kind of leader the Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education needs. Someone who will listen and respond to our concerns, even if it is not always the answer we want to hear. 

I am writing in support of Liz Goldman-Sider’s candidacy for a position on the Board of Education in the Bedford Central School District. As Liz’s sister, I can confidently say that there is no one more thoughtful, creative, compassionate, or with more integrity. As an educator with 32 years…

I am writing in support of Betsy Sharma to become our next BCSD Board of Ed member.