Bellefonte school board member resigns over ‘fundamental differences.’ What’s next?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Patrick Buck resigned from Bellefonte’s school board after two years of service.
- He cited differing views on school safety as the primary factor in his resignation.
- The board will appoint an interim member to fill the vacancy until December 2027.
A Bellefonte Area School District board member has resigned due to “fundamental differences” with the district’s governing body.
Patrick Buck resigned from the board on Nov. 18 and is expected to have his departure formally accepted at the board’s Dec. 2 meeting. He cited unspecified disagreements over the district’s approach to school safety as the driving factor behind his resignation, according to the letter, which was obtained by the Centre Daily Times through a Right-to-Know request.
“This has been a difficult decision,” Buck wrote. “I care deeply about our students, staff and community, and I have valued the opportunity to serve. However, it has become increasingly clear that I hold fundamental differences with the board’s direction regarding school safety. These differences affect my ability to fulfill the responsibilities of this role in a manner that is consistent with my principles and my understanding of what is necessary to protect the well-being of our students.”
It is not immediately clear how Buck differed from his colleagues on the board in regard to school safety, as the topic has not been discussed publicly at recent Bellefonte school board meetings. Buck, who was elected in 2023, could not be reached for comment by the CDT.
In his letter of resignation, Buck wrote he believes it is in the best interests of the district and himself to step aside and make room for “someone whose views more closely align with the board’s approach.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside dedicated administrators, educators and community members,” Buck wrote. “I remain committed to supporting our schools and will continue to advocate for the safety and success of the students in our district.”
Jon Guizar, the school board president, did not immediately respond for clarification on what school safety topics Buck referenced in his letter.
How will the Bellefonte board vacancy be filled?
Buck’s resignation creates a vacancy within Bellefonte’s school board, which will move quickly to appoint an interim board member. The appointee will serve on the district’s board until December 2027, the end of Buck’s elected term.
Interested applicants should email a letter of interest, a resume and a filled-out application to board secretary Leslie Elder at lelder@basd.net or mail those materials to 318 N. Allegheny St. in Bellefonte. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment.
Bellefonte’s school board will interview candidates at its next board meeting before appointing an interim member that same night. The board will next meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, inside Bellefonte Area Middle School’s cafeteria.
Holly Hopkins, a dental hygienist and local historian who has served as an interim board member since April, expressed interest on social media in applying for the vacancy. She launched a write-in campaign for election to the board this year that earned at least 2,640 votes in November’s municipal election but fell short of winning a seat.
Nov. 18’s board meeting marked Hopkins’ final meeting as an interim school board member in her current seat. She filled in for Jack Bechdel, who resigned in April after he was accused of shoving a woman out of a moving car and striking her in the face. He pleaded in May to summary counts of harassment and disorderly conduct and did not seek re-election to the board.
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