The Austin school board is looking to fill its vacant seventh seat.

The board voted unanimously Monday to accept applications for a replacement to serve the duration of ousted board member Curt Rude’s term; the new member will serve until Dec. 31, 2011.

The board’s personnel committee will accept applications from the public through June 25, at which point they will select four finalists to interview with the full board and superintendent David Krenz.

“It’s the next step in the process of moving on,” Krenz said.

The personnel committee was formed last month, after Rude’s period of a right to appeal expired.

By state statute, the board may appoint a replacement to serve the duration of his term but may not hold a special election.

The board removed Rude in March, deciding that a pending defamation suit he held against the district and a former superintendent posed a conflict of interest.

The district paid more than $16,000 in legal fees throughout the process to oust Rude, according to the district’s director of finance and operations, Mark Stotts; the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge last week.

Applications are available from the district’s office, 401 Third Ave. NW, and will be accepted through June 25. Interviews will be held July 20.

Applicants must be eligible voters of at least 21 years of age, having resided in the district for at least 30 days prior to appointment.