NEWPORT — A member of the Newport School Board has stepped down after he was criminally charged on Jan. 26 with sexually exploiting a minor more than six years ago at a campground in Windsor.

Tim Beard resigned from the Newport School Board on Tuesday, Newport School Board Steve Morris and SAU 43 Superintendent Donna Magoon reported via email to the Valley News on Wednesday morning.

Beard, 40, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Windsor County Superior Court in White River Junction on Tuesday to a single felony count of sexual exploitation of a minor who was known to him.

Beard was appointed to the Newport School Board in 2022 and elected to a three-year term in 2023, which was to expire in 2026.

Morris, the School Board chairman, said that the Board will seek to “fill the vacancy in accordance with New Hampshire law.”

As of early Wednesday afternoon, Beard remained a member of Newport’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, interim Newport Town Manger Paul Brown said.

“There has been no communication with (Beard) since these charges have been filed,” Brown said via email to the Valley News.