Two new candidates are running uncontested for seats on the board of education for the Bedford Central School District. School board president Elin Sullivan and school board member Carmelo Comberiati are not seeking re-election.

Donna Marino of Bedford Village will be on the slate for the president's seat, and Frances LoMonaco Loucas of Pound Ridge will replace Dr. Comberiati.

Ms. Marino is currently involved with community groups including the Bedford Village Elementary School Association, St. Patrick's Church in Bedford, The Westchester County Board of Ethics and the Bedford Community Theater.

She and her husband, John, are 13-year Bedford residents and have two daughters, Sara, age 12, and Maggie, age seven.

Ms. Marino holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Amherst College and a juris doctor from New York Law School. She is admitted to the New York state and Connecticut bars.

Frances LoMonaco-Loucas is a resident of Pound Ridge. Her two daughters attend Pound Ridge Elementary School.

Ms. LoMonaco-Loucas is a small business owner with a background in planing with a large investment banking firm on Wall Street. She is currently on the school construction committee with the Bedford Central School District and has been the

Pound Ridge Elementary School PTA liaison to the board of education.

Outgoing, president Elin Sullivan was first elected to the board in 1998, and was reelected for her second three-year term in May, 2001. Ms. Sullivan was president for just this past year, but her tenure included three years as vice president, one year as chairperson of the finance sub-committee, and one year as the chairperson of the policy committee.

"This is a very difficult decision, but I feel it's time to move on," said Ms. Sullivan. "I've enjoyed the past six years thoroughly, but it's time to let someone else take over."

Ms. Sullivan said a healthy school district board needs to have a balance between veterans and newer members.

Mount Kisco resident Dr. Comberiati was also first elected to the board in 1998. Dr. Comberiati is the newly-promoted director of music at Manhattanville College.

"My duties are just too much for me to stay on the board as well," Dr. Comberiati said. "Six years is a good term of service for someone from the community."

Dr. Comberiati said when he first ran for the board he had some very definite goals to address as a board member.

"I wanted to make sure there was a reasonable bond that addressed the issues in the district," Dr. Comberiati said. "There was well over $1 million back-dated in capital projects that had not been attended to and if things go well this year with the second proposition, we will have addressed all of it."

Ms. Sullivan indicated her support for the new candidates, Ms. LoMonaco-Loucas and Ms. Marino. "Donna and Fran are both very talented and have shown great dedication to the school district," she said. "Fran has been a volunteer on the school construction committee, and Donna has worked actively in the schools for a number of years."