Round Rock ISD trustees decided Thursday they would not call a special election to fill a vacant seat on their board. Instead, trustees will appoint someone to take the spot of Place 4 trustee Terri Romere, who announced her resignation last month. Romere's replacement could be sworn in rather quickly based on a timeline trustees approved Thursday. Trustees voted, 5-1, to open an application process on Friday that will continue until 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13. Each trustee will nominate one applicant. Trustees will interview nominees during a board workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 15, and make a selection following the interviews. The board voted after RRISD legal counsel said calling a special election for a new trustee could cost up to $28,000 in addition to what it may cost to hold a bond election in May, which is pending trustees' approval. Trustees acknowledged the truncated timeline to pick a new board member for the open seat. Trustee Chad Chadwell said he supported moving quickly, adding that he did not want to drag out the process with the board expected to vote next week on the May bond election. Trustee Nikki Gonzales agreed, noting that board members have already been contacted by a number of people interested in being appointed. RRISD has seven trustee positions on its board, which is responsible for adopting district policies, employing and evaluating the superintendent, approving the budget and capital improvement plans, and setting the tax rate, according to the district. Trustees are elected at-large by voters and serve staggered four-year terms. Trustee Paul Tisch voted against the quick timeline to select an appointee, although he said he agreed that a new board member should be seated without too much delay. Tisch said he supported a second option that would allow more time for the board to accept applications and have trustees make an appointment by the end of February.