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Rondout Valley board weighs options to fill seat after resignation
Summary
Following the recent resignation of board member Jim Balic, the Rondout Valley board discussed appointing a replacement, offering the seat to the fourth-place vote-getter from the recent election, holding a special election, soliciting letters of interest, or leaving the seat vacant; the board deferred a final decision to the July 14 reorganization meeting and asked staff to gather cost, timeline and legal guidance.
The Rondout Valley Central School District Board of Education spent significant time June 17 discussing how to fill the vacancy left by the recent resignation of board member Jim Balic.
Board members outlined five options: appoint a replacement, use the most recent election results (offer the seat to the fourth-place vote‑getter), solicit letters of interest from the community, hold a special election, or leave the seat vacant. No formal decision was taken; the board agreed to revisit the matter at the reorganization meeting on July 14.
Board member Nicole proposed publicly soliciting letters of interest from the community and suggested a deadline of about a week before the reorganization meeting (proposed July 7) so the board would have potential candidates to consider quickly if it chooses to appoint. Miss Barbiani, the board clerk, was identified as the recipient for letters of interest on the district website or by other advertised channels.
Board member Dean said offering the position to the fourth-place vote‑getter from the recent election would be a logical option given how close the prior election was and the near-term swearing-in of new members. Other members noted a special election could be expensive and could be constrained by county voting‑machine availability and the signature/timeline requirements for off‑cycle elections. Members directed staff to obtain cost and timeline estimates for holding a special election and asked counsel to draft recommended disclaimer language to place on any public posting clarifying that the board has not yet decided on a method to fill the vacancy.
Why it matters: the choice affects representation for the remainder of the one‑year term and the board’s workload between now and the reorganization meeting.
No vote was taken on the vacancy at the June 17 meeting; the board indicated the item will be discussed and potentially decided at the July 14 reorganization meeting.
