"Because there was less than one year left in the term for single-member District 5, the board may decide whether it wishes to leave the position vacant or fill it with an interim appointment," said Trustee Regina Harris, who oversaw the meeting as the board's presiding officer.
During the public comment section of the Oct. 18 meeting, several community members expressed their preferences that the position be filled through an election rather than having trustees appoint a new member at this time.
"I have not heard one single person from District 5 say that they wish that we would appoint someone to fill this spot for the short term," Board Member Eron Linn said. "If that's what they want, then that's the direction that I'll support."
Clardy gave no reason for her resignation in her Sept. 24 letter. She had held the board’s District 5 seat since 2017. The RISD board voted unanimously to accept her resignation during its Oct. 4 meeting.
Trustees also chose to make no changes to the existing board officers for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year during the Oct. 18 meeting.
Harris will continue as the board's presiding officer, while trustee Debbie Rentería will remain the board secretary.
