Groton — The Board of Education voted Monday night to appoint former board member Jay Weitlauf to fill the vacancy that occurred when Gary Baker resigned halfway through his term.

Weitlauf had been officially off the board for less than a week, as the term he previously held expired Dec. 5.

Board member Rita Volkmann was absent and Gretchen Newsome abstained, while the remaining six members voted in favor of Weitlauf.

“I’m honored to be selected by the board to fill the vacancy, and I look forward to digging deeper into the budget,” Weitlauf said.

Baker’s resignation letter landed in the town clerk’s office on Dec. 4. Baker, who had missed 16 of the last 17 full board meetings, cited an inability to fulfill his obligation to the board.

The town Republican Party voted Wednesday to recommend Weitlauf to fill the seat.

The other person to express interest in the appointment was Jenn White, the fifth-highest vote-getter in a six-way election for four seats last month. White received 2,249 votes to Weitlauf’s 2,072. In an email to The Day, she said the public vote should still be relevant in appointing a replacement.

At the Board of Education’s special meeting Monday, Andrea Ackerman nominated Weitlauf for the vacancy, and other members quickly seconded her motion. Newsome nominated White, but without a second, the nomination did not move forward.

Newsome said she abstained from the subsequent vote because she wished she could have voted for both Weitlauf and White, noting that White got more votes but Weitlauf has experience.

Weitlauf has served on the Board of Education since April 2015, when he was appointed to fill the vacancy resulting from Kirsten Hoyt’s resignation.

Town Clerk Betsy Moukawsher swore in Weitlauf after the vote. Earlier, she swore in those elected on Nov. 7: incumbents Ackerman, Lee White and Rosemary Robertson, and new member Jane Giulini.

e.moser@theday.com