Trustee Nikki Barker to step down; board leaves seat vacant until May election and approves consent agenda

The Rhinebeck Union Free School District Board of Education announced that Trustee Nikki Barker will step down from her seat effective Jan. 2 because of a new professional opportunity, and the board said it will leave the vacancy to be filled by voters in the May election rather than make an interim appointment.

Speaker 2 read a notice to the community and cited district policy 2150, which allows the board to fill a vacancy by majority vote but noted the board unanimously decided not to appoint because the election is only five months away. The board said the upcoming ballot will include two three‑year trustee seats and one one‑year seat to serve the remainder of Barker’s term.

Barker spoke briefly and thanked fellow board members, staff and community volunteers for their support, and affirmed her commitment to the district during her remaining time in office.

Later in the meeting the board approved a multi‑item consent agenda that covered approval of minutes, personnel appointments and resignations, adoption of portions of the policy manual, award of a contract for pre‑referendum construction management services (the contract related to the athletic‑facilities presentation earlier in the meeting), disposal of books and equipment, approval of HVAC unit replacements, CSE recommendations and financial reports. The board moved the consent agenda and recorded ‘aye’ votes that carried the motion.

The board also accepted a grant from the Rhinebeck School Foundation and a $1,200 donation from the Rhinebeck Booster Club to benefit the district theater program as part of consent agenda approvals. The meeting closed after a brief public comment period and a motion to adjourn passed.