ROSCOE-LIVINGSTON MANOR  — The Rockland Central School District Board of Education approved a resolution on Tuesday, July 22, designating Tom Ward to take James Buck’s place on the board after his resignation on July 3.

The top four unelected candidates in the February Board of Education election were invited to interview for the job by the board. Justin Murphy said no. Interviews with Tom Ward, Dan Johnston, and Jill Smith were conducted.

“I am eager to continue to work with the full board of education to move forward in building a school district that is better together to create better tomorrows for our students,” stated Superintendent John Evans.

During the open sessions of the special board meetings, the same set of questions were posed to all three candidates.

The board determined that the appointment will go to the next highest vote-getter from the February election. 

At the upcoming board meeting on August 5, Ward will take the oath of office and serve until June 30, 2026. In the upcoming Board of Education election, the seat will be up for election.

While the Rockland School Board has not adopted a vision statement yet, they are working on it and expect to have it in place before the school year begins on September 4th for students.