DEERFIELD — With a Deerfield Elementary School Committee seat having remained vacant throughout the summer, a familiar face has stepped up to fill the gap until the town’s spring election.

Selectboard member Trevor McDaniel has volunteered to serve on the School Committee until May’s election. Prior to his eight years on the Selectboard, McDaniel was a member of the School Committee as his first public service role.

He was appointed Wednesday evening during a brief joint meeting of the Selectboard and School Committee. McDaniel has also served as the Selectboard representative on the Frontier Regional School District Capital Improvements Subcommittee.

“With budget season coming and the school year starting — and I had done it before — I thought I could fill the role for the short term,” McDaniel said. “For me, it’s all about the budget and the kids.”

The Deerfield Elementary School Committee was left with a vacancy this summer following the election of resident Raina Kittilstved, who ran unopposed. Kittilstved was poised to join the committee, but had to resign after accepting a job at Frontier Regional School.

At that point, both the Selectboard and the School Committee sought out volunteers and had some interested folks, but eventually came up empty. With the school year kicking off and budget planning on the horizon, McDaniel said he felt it was important to fill the void.

Budgeting, he emphasized, is extremely important for the school district and town, especially because roughly 70% of Deerfield’s budget each year is dedicated to funding Deerfield Elementary School and the town’s share of the Frontier Regional School District.

“We have a great administration, great principal, great staff — the teachers are amazing there,” McDaniel continued. “I really want to focus on the budget, maintenance of the building and making sure the kids have everything they need … I’m happy to serve again.”

McDaniel will serve on the Deerfield Elementary School Committee until the annual town election slated for May 6, 2024. Nomination papers are typically available in February and March.