BELLEFONTE — Following the sudden resignation of school board member Jack Bechdel, II on April 4, the Bellefonte Area School District Board of Directors is seeking applicants to fill the vacant seat.

Bechdel stepped down after being arrested for allegedly pushing a female passenger from a moving vehicle. The board unanimously accepted his voluntary resignation during its meeting on Wednesday evening.

The board also addressed several personnel matters during the meeting, including the appointment of Steven White, vice principal of Bellefonte Elementary School, as the new principal of Marion-Walker Elementary.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Bechdel is charged with misdemeanor simple assault, a summary count of physical harassment and was cited for driving with a suspended license.

In a statement to The Express, Board President Jon Guizar said, “The allegations against Mr. Bechdel are of great concern to the board. Any form of domestic violence is completely unacceptable.”

Guizar said that upon initially being notified that a board member had been arrested, the board quickly determined the incident was a “private matter.”

“Nothing involved the district in any way, so that was shared in full transparency as we continued to look into the situation,” said the board president. “Once learning the details of the allegations and being able to contact Mr. Bechdel to express serious concern over the behaviors listed in the allegations, we were informed that Mr. Bechdel was submitting his resignation effective immediately.”

He added, “the matter is now in the hands of the justice system and due process.”

Guizar’s comments echoed Bechdel’s own.

In his resignation letter, Bechdel wrote,”To be clear, these events have no relation to anything with the Bellefonte Area School District, the Board of Directors or any associates. My actions have drawn a spotlight on the board that is not warranted. The board must be able to focus on the needs of the students and their education.”

The board intends to appoint an individual to fill this vacancy, which expires in December 2025.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must have been a resident of the District for at least one year prior to the date of the appointment.

Those interested must submit a letter of interest, resume and application to the administrative assistant to the superintendent, Leslie Elder, by noon on Friday, April 18, 2025. Application packets may be submitted in person or by mail to 318 North Allegheny St., Bellefonte, PA 16823, or by email to lelder@basd.net.

Candidates will be interviewed at 7 p.m., April 22, 2025, at the regular meeting of the Bellefonte Area School District Board of Directors at the Bellefonte Area Middle School cafeteria.

Appointments/Transfers

During the regular meeting, personnel changes were not discussed at length but were approved unanimously by the board.

In a letter to parents and staff on April 10, Superintendent Dr. Roy Rakszawski announced the appointment of Steven White as the new principal of Marion-Walker Elementary School. White will replace Karen Krisch, who is retiring.

“Mr. White brings with him a wealth of experience as a school administrator and is highly qualified to take on this leadership role,” wrote Rakszawski. “Although Mrs. Krisch will leave big shoes to fill, we are confident that Mr. White’s steady leadership, student-centered mindset and commitment to excellence will benefit the Marion-Walker community in meaningful ways.”

Alongside the naming of the district’s new $55 million elementary school, which also took place during Wednesday night’s meeting, Superintendent Dr. Roy Rakszawski said, “Both of these decisions mark important steps forward for the district. Mr. White’s appointment ensures strong leadership at one of our elementary schools, and the naming of the new school brings us closer to opening a state of the art learning space for our students. These outcomes reflect our shared values of thoughtful planning and community involvement in shaping the future of our District.”

According to the district’s Office of Human Resources, he will officially begin his new role on July 1, 2025 and receive a salary of $100,415. All wages and benefits are in accordance with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The board also appointed:

— Ann Whittman as a Paraeducator at Bellefonte Elementary, 6.75 hrs/day at $16.58, effective April 14, 2025, to replace Kendra Gates.

Resignations/Retirements

— Resignation of Kody Brown, School Counselor, at Bellefonte Area Middle School, hired Jan. 27, 2025, effective April 2, 2025.

— Retirement of Edward Fitzgerald, III, Teacher, at Bellefonte Area High School, hired Aug. 25, 1997, effective at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

— Resignation of Christian Aurand, Special Education Teacher, at Bellefonte Area High School, hired Dec. 5, 2022, effective at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

Leave Requests

The Board approved Family Medical Leave for two District employees. The following requests are subject to guidelines within Board Policy for Short-Term Uncompensated Leaves. All requested leaves are for personal reasons.

— Charleen Casbourne, Paraeducator, at Bellefonte Elementary, 6.75 hours, March 14, 2025.

— Cidalia Cornelio, Paraeducator, at Bellefonte Elementary, 13.5 hours, April 3 and 4, 2025.

— Taren Rose, Paraeducator, at Bellefonte Elementary School, 14.25 hours, March 18, 19 and 20, 2025.

— Prestie Headings, Paraeducator, Bellefonte Area High School, 62.75 hours, Feb 12 and 28 and March 3 and 12, 2025.

— Laylana Stanley, Accounting Secretary, at Corporate Office, 12.75 hours, March 18 and 21, 2025.

— Amanda Storeman, Paraeducator, at Bellefonte Elementary, 28 hours Feb 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24 and 25 and March 5, 2025.

— Cindy Rogers, Paraeducator, at Marion-Walker Elementary, 30.5 hours, May 9-16, 2025.

— Susanne Heckman, Paraeducator, at Benner Elementary, 18.75 hours,March 21 and 24 and April 1 and 15, 2025.

— Preston Bradley, Paraeducator, at Bellefonte Area Middle School, 33.75 hours, March 10-14, 2025.

Extra Duty Extra Pay/New Hires

— Colin Edmonds, JH Assistant Baseball Coach, $1,966.25, effective 2024-2025 season.

— Jayson Lose, JV Assistant Softball Coach, $1,966.25, effective 2024-2025 season.

Mentor

— Heather Hammers as a mentor for new employee Hannah Chorle.

— Pamela Fike as a mentor for new employee Ann Whittman.

Summer, In-Car Driving

— Michael Wilson as summer, in-car driving teacher.

Volunteers

— Kelly McManus, Bellefonte Elementary.

— Jason Tomlinson, Bellefonte Elementary.

— Samantha Wolfe, Bellefonte Elementary.

— Emily Zimdahl-McManus, Bellefonte Elementary.

— Jessica McDonald, Benner Elementary.

— Travis McDonald, Benner Elementary.

— Amy Hackenberry, High School.

— Amanda Healy, High School.

— Matthew Bardo, Marion-Walker.

— Angela Gates, Marion-Walker.

— Kristen Grine, Marion-Walker.

— Marcella Hoffman, Marion-Walker.

— Sara Kuhlman, Marion-Walker.

— Elizabeth Halterman, Middle School.

— Jacob Smith, Middle School.

— Christie Holloway, Bellefonte Elementary.

— Asia Pilger, Bellefonte Elementary.

— David Stong, Bellefonte Elementary.

— Paula Wilson, Bellefonte Elementary.

— Timothy Cleary, Marion-Walker.

— George Lombardi, Marion-Walker.