The Jaffrey-Rindge School Board will be seeking a new Rindge representative, after School Board member Chris Ratcliffe resigned his seat, effective April 8.
Ratcliffe has been a member of the board for the past four years, most recently re-elected in 2025, and has served as its chair.
When reached for comment, Ratcliffe said that he’ll be focusing on other priorities.
“Serving on the Jaffrey-Rindge School Board has meant a lot to me,” Ratcliffe said in a written statement to the Ledger-Transcript. “After careful thought, I’ve decided to step away to focus on my family and where I need to put my time and energy. I’m grateful for the chance to serve and appreciate the work being done to support our students.”
The School Board officially announced Ratcliffe’s resignation during its meeting Monday, with Chair Lisa Wiley saying Ratcliffe had cited “personal reasons” for his resignation. She thanked Ratcliffe for his work on the board, saying that he has put in a “massive amount of work” over his years on the board and will be “greatly missed.”
“This is a big hole for us,” Wiley said. “He does a great deal of work.”
The board discussed the process for filling Ratcliffe’s seat for the remainder of the year, until the March 2027 election cycle, when voters will officially fill the seat with a ballot vote. Leading up to that vote, the seat will be filled by an appointment decided by Rindge representatives on the School Board. Ratcliffe was one-year into his three-year term, so in March, voters will vote to fill the remaining year.
The district is currently seeking applications from Rindge residents who are interested in the seat. Candidates will be asked to provide contact information and a short statement about why they are interested in being on the board. Those who submit candidate applications will be invided to speak to the board in person on May 4.
Following the May 4 introductions, Rindge representatives on the board, which include Wiley, Jared Reini, and at-large member Judy Ferstenberg will make the final choice for who will fill the seat until March.
Wiley emphasized that the immediate appointment will be made by a decision of the board, not a public vote, though there will be time set aside for public comment during the May 4 meeting.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.