CHAMPION — The board of education has approved former member Aaron Abrahamson to fill an opening on the board.

Abrahamson was appointed to the board in February 2022 to replace former member Kelly Boyle, who died. In the November 2023 general election, Abrahamson won to continue serving in the unexpired two-year seat through December 2025.

Last summer, the Trumbull County Board of Elections ruled that Abrahamson, who was an incumbent school board member, did not fill out the nominating section on one of his petitions and ruled his candidacy invalid because he did not have enough signatures to make the ballot.

That left the two other candidates, Marie J. Downs and incumbent David J. Mahan, as the only candidates on the ballot for three seats. The board took applications for the position and received only two, with Abrahamson selected by the board.

If Abrahamson chooses to seek to serve the remaining two years of the current seat’s term, he would need to run in the November 2027 general election.

In other business at the recent organizational meeting, the board:

• Named Mahan as board president and John Pitts as vice president.

• Approved Mahan as representative to Ohio School Boards Association conference with Pitts as alternate.

• Named Patricia Fisher as representative to the Trumbull Career & Technical Center board.

• Approved committee appointments, with Fisher and Downs to education and student achievement; Mahan and Pitts to facilities; Pitts and Downs to athletic council; and entire board to finance and audit, policy and community relations.

• Approved membership with the Ohio School Boards Association for 2026 at $6,623.

• Set meetings for 5:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month unless there is a holiday. The January and February meetings will be on the fourth Monday.