Tom Ward Appointed to Fill Vacant Rockland Central School District Board Seat

The Rockland Central School District Board of Education has appointed Tom Ward to fill the vacant board seat left by the resignation of former member James Buck earlier this month.

The appointment was approved by board resolution during a special meeting on Tuesday, July 22. Buck had officially stepped down from the board on July 3.

To fill the vacancy, the board invited the top four unelected candidates from the February Board of Education election to participate in an interview process. One of those candidates, Justin Murphy, declined the invitation. The remaining three — Tom Ward, Dan Johnston, and Jill Smith — were interviewed during open sessions held Monday and Tuesday.

Each candidate was asked the same set of questions in a public forum. According to board members, all three brought valuable perspectives and qualifications to the table. Ultimately, the board agreed to appoint the next highest vote-getter from the February election — Tom Ward — in the interest of transparency and fairness.

Ward will be officially sworn in at the board’s next regular meeting on August 5. He will serve the remainder of the term through June 30, 2026. The seat will then be up for election during the district’s next Board of Education vote.

For more information, contact the district at communications@rcsd.us.