Holly Hopkins

BELLEFONTE — Following a series of strong candidate interviews, the Bellefonte Area School Board has appointed local historian and dental hygienist Holly Hopkins to fill the board seat vacated by Jack Bechdel, II, who resigned earlier this month.

His resignation followed an arrest where Bechdel was charged with misdemeanor simple assault, a summary count of physical harassment and cited for driving with a suspended license after allegedly shoving a female passenger from a moving vehicle.

Hopkins will serve from April 22 through Dec. 2, 2025, when the board holds its annual reorganization meeting.

She was selected in a narrow 5-3 vote, edging out Joe Yech, who received four votes. Also interviewed for the vacancy were Dr. Courtney Rice, Diana Popp and Lance Hawkins.

Each candidate was asked to share their background and community service experience, explain their understanding of school board responsibilities, identify the district’s top three challenges and discuss both the most difficult and most enjoyable aspects of serving on the board. They also addressed how they would collaborate with the board and superintendent, what data they would rely on for decision-making and their willingness to serve on joint boards and subcommittees.

“I would just like to recognize the fact that we had an amazing pool of candidates,” said Board Member Donna Smith.

She expressed gratitude to each applicant: Joe Yech for his proven and persistent dedication to students; Dr. Courtney Rice for her expertise in curriculum and passion for education; Diana Popp for her genuine desire to serve the community; Holly Hopkins for her leadership and readiness to listen and work hard; and Lance Hawkins for his financial expertise and lifelong commitment to volunteerism.

“I just wanted to recognize all of you and say how lucky and blessed we are that you all stood up, so thank you,” Smith said.

In the first round of voting, no candidate received a majority. Yech and Hopkins tied for the lead with three votes each, while Hawkins trailed close behind with two.

To help break the tie, board members voiced their support for their preferred candidates.

“Mr. Yech has been persistent in his desire to serve the board and to serve our community… I have seen that, I have witnessed it and that’s why I have nominated him,” said Smith.

Board Member Timothy Kessling spoke in support of Hopkins.

“I’ve seen her in action as a dental hygienist. I think she’s great with kids. I think that’s important in this position,” he said. “Her concern for school safety is top priority for me.”

In the second round of voting, board members held their initial positions: Nate Campbell, Jon Guizar and Smith voted for Yech; Patrick Buck and Jennifer Barnhart for Hawkins; and Kristin Lyons, Kimberly Weaver and Kessling for Hopkins.

“If we can’t make a decision then a judge is going to make a decision and seat a member,” Guizar stressed. “So it is incumbent upon us to figure it out somehow.”

For the third round, the board narrowed the field to the two leading candidates — Yech and Hopkins — and conducted a roll-call vote.

Hopkins was appointed in a 5-3 vote, with Campbell, Kessling, Lyons, Weaver and Buck in favor. Guizar, Smith and Barnhart voted against.

In the corresponding vote for Yech, Guizar, Smith, Barnhart and Campbell voted in favor, while Kessling, Lyons, Weaver and Buck opposed.

Immediately after the vote, Hopkins was sworn into office and invited to join the board for an executive session following the meeting.

Guizar encouraged the remaining candidates not to let the outcome discourage them from future service.

“Thank you to everybody who put yourselves out there for this position,” said Guizar. “We hope to see you back at the next opportunity that comes around.”

CNET has posted the full board interviews online at https://tinyurl.com/36a4z9sp, with the candidate portion running from 15:54 to 56:40.