Jonathan Delk has been named the new Roaring Fork School District Board of Education District B representative following a virtual board meeting on Thursday morning. 

Delk’s appointment will begin on Wednesday, June 10, and will continue for the next 14 months, until the next scheduled election in November 2027. 

The appointment closes a two-month hiring process that began after Betsy After resigned from the board in April due to personal reasons. 

Although there was no time limit during Thursday’s special meeting, the board convened for less than 20 minutes before reaching a unanimous decision. 

All four board members cited Delk’s experience working with boards and his understanding of different leadership roles. 

“I think that it’s important we have someone who has a strong understanding of governance and really clear ideas around the role of the superintendent and the board, especially since they’re jumping on mid-year,” Board Vice President Kathryn Kuhlenberg said during Thursday’s meeting. 

The news release accompanying the district’s announcement says that Delk, the chief executive officer of Basalt-based law firm JVAM and an RFSD parent, brings “robust expertise in strategic planning, finance, governance, and organizational accountability.”

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“As a parent, community member, and someone who has spent my professional life helping organizations manage growth, complexity, people, budgets, and accountability, I am honored to serve on the Roaring Fork School District Board of Education,” Delk said in Thursday’s release. “Our district has extraordinary strengths, but also important work ahead. I look forward to listening carefully, asking disciplined questions, and helping ensure that every decision is measured against what best serves students.”

Board President Lindsay DeFrates said the board had strong applicants to choose from, but Delk best fit the board’s criteria.

“We deeply appreciate the willingness of so many qualified community members to commit to this work,” she said in the release. “In this appointment, we were looking for someone who already understands the work of a Board and is ready to dive into the critical issues such as budgets, policy, governance, declining enrollments, and focus on the well-being of students.”

RFSD Superintendent Anna Cole said the applicant pool shows the strong community support for the district

“We are grateful for the talented group of candidates who applied for this vacancy,” Cole said in the release. “Their willingness to volunteer is a reflection of the strong support our community provides their students, staff, and families of the Roaring Fork Schools. We have many challenges to address in the coming years; collaboration with our community is essential. I look forward to working with Jonathan Delk and supporting his leadership on the Board of Education.”

For more information about the Board of Education, visit rfschools.com or contact RFSD Senior Project Manager Jonathan Landon at jlandon@rfschools.com.