Goldstein Seeks Uncontested Seat on Bedford School Board

Next week Bedford Central community members will vote on the districts and elect three board members. : Susan Elion Wollin and Andrew Bracco are seeking to renew their three-year terms, and Lee Goldstein is running to replace Graham Anderson.

Below is a brief bio of Goldstein and her responses to a set of questions submitted to all candidates. 

Lee Goldstein is a professional writer and editor and has lived in Pound Ridge for 8 years with her family, including two daughters who attend She's also a former supervisor in the NYC Child Welfare Agency, where she investigated allegations of child sex abuse and fatalities in foster care and day care centers throughout New York City.

Goldstein has been a member of the BCSD Budget Advisory Committee Member for three years and active in the Pound Ridge Elementary School PTA. She also serves as a trustee for the Pound Ridge Library. Goldstein holds a certificate in Secondary Education from Sacred Heart University and a bachelor's degree in literature from Yale University.

Patch: Why did you decide to run for the Bedford school board?

Goldstein: I am running for school board because I have two daughters in the elementary school, and it’s important to me to help preserve and further Bedford Central’s outstanding education for every student in our district. A school board’s primary responsibility – to set a vision for the district and to marshal resources so the vision can be realized – is becoming more complex as districts are forced to make difficult decisions. As a school board member, my first obligation would be to every student as we make decisions that are responsive to community demands, external pressures, and the economic climate while keeping in mind the aspirations of our children.

Patch: What will be your major contribution(s) to the board? 

Goldstein: My experience on the Budget Advisory Committee has fostered an understanding of district finances as well as an appreciation of the divergent priorities of various community members. I have also worked with other Westchester community groups to advocate in Albany in support of issues that better our public schools. The next few years will demand consensus building and very tough choices, and my desire to work collectively to achieve workable solutions will help me serve the board and community.

Patch: What issues facing the district do you feel most strongly about?

Goldstein: I am concerned that local control of financial and educational policy is being eroded.  Unfunded state mandates require a proliferation of spending at unsustainable levels, and the state’s attempt to monitor student achievement and hold teachers accountable, while profitable for education publishing and testing companies, is costing the district millions of dollars,. I believe our local administrators, teachers, and board of education members know the character and culture of our community, and are better able to make sound educational and financial decisions for our students and taxpayers than the legislators in Albany.

Patch: Describe the quality of education you think students are getting in the district. Are there measures you would take to improve upon it?

Goldstein: I think district students are getting an excellent education, which is one of the primary reasons we bought our house here. I am excited when I hear teachers’ and administrators’ enthusiasm when they talk about inquiry-based, authentic student learning. We strive to prepare our students for their world after high school, and programs designed to nurture the imagination and to develop creativity, curiosity, and critical questioning will give them a strong foundation for success.

Patch: The race is uncontested. Why do you suppose more people don't get involved, and what would you say to voters, parents, community members to encourage engagement around school issues?

Goldstein: The schools belong to and affect all of us and people should speak up about their passions and concerns. One advantage of the school budget coming to a vote every year is that everyone has the opportunity to weigh in on our schools. The citizen advisory committees are great places to learn the finances and issues of the district. Volunteering in the schools is another rewarding opportunity to become involved. I would encourage people to visit the schools – seeing the students and their work is a powerful experience.