BELLEFONTE — A Bellefonte Area School Board member resigned abruptly Tuesday evening, citing differences in views with the rest of the board, their president said.

Patrick Buck, who was elected in November 2023 as part of the Win4Bellefonte campaign, told the Board that his positions on key issues did not align with the board majority, prompting his decision to step down, according to Board President Jon Guizar.

Buck, who was not in attendance at the Nov. 18 school board meeting, submitted his resignation after its adjournment, so the matter has not yet been discussed publicly. The resignation was instead announced indirectly the next day through a notice soliciting applications to fill the open seat.

Guizar said Buck’s resignation has since been accepted, and the process to appoint a new board member is underway. The board will formally accept the resignation at its Dec. 2 meeting before appointing a replacement to serve the remainder of his term, which runs through December 2027.

“We appreciate the time he was able to serve,” Guizar said. “We wish him the best.”

Buck was unable to be reached for comment, however, the school board said he looks forward to spending time focusing on his family.

The board intends to appoint a replacement through a process similar to the one used in June when Jack Bechdel resigned after his arrest involving a domestic dispute. Bechdel’s seat was filled by local dental hygienist and historian Holly Hopkins, who served her final meeting in that role on Tuesday.

Based on social media posts, Hopkins appears poised to seek reappointment to Buck’s seat following her unsuccessful write-in campaign for the school board earlier this month.

Individuals interested in serving on the board 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.

Letter of interest, resume and application are due by Dec.1, 2025, to Leslie Elder at lelder@basd.net or 318 N. Allegheny St., Bellefonte, PA 16823.

Candidates will be interviewed, and an appointment will be made at the regular board meeting Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Bellefonte Area Middle School cafeteria.

More information and application materials are available on the district website at www.basd.net.