SOUTHWEST HARBOR – The Pemetic School committee decided this week to leave one seat on the five-person board vacant until next spring’s annual town meeting.

The decision on Wednesday follows the recent resignation of Jay Carroll, who was elected to a three-year term last year, and an overture to Judy Hazen Connery, who lost to Carroll by just 31 votes.

Carroll, who works for the Maine Marine Patrol, stepped down after realizing he did not have adequate time to fulfill his school board duties. Connery, meanwhile, turned down a chance to fill Carroll’s seat until the 2005 annual town meeting next March.

Connery has since made other commitments, according to Pemetic Chairwoman Gail Royal, and did not think she could dedicate the time necessary to serve on the board.

The four board members are Royal, Eric Henry, Debbie Gilley and Joseph Saunders.