Steubenville board of education members accepted the resignation of Edward Littlejohn from the school board Wednesday night and presented him with a plaque and a gift for his six years of service. Littlejohn is moving out of the school district. Taking part in the presentation were, from left, board members William Hendricks, Ruth Ann Bruzzese, Littlejohn and board president Greg Agresta. — Dave Gossett

STEUBENVILLE — Saying he was, “sorry he was leaving,” city board of education member Edward Littlejohn resigned from the school board Wednesday night citing a decision to move out of the school district.

The board voted to appoint city resident Tom Timmons to serve the remainder of Littlejohn’s term that expires in December 2017.

“I am so grateful to have served on this board because it is great to do what I love. While I am leaving the school district, I am still available to help you in any way I can,” Littlejohn said.

This is the second time Timmons has been appointed to fill the remainder of a board member’s unexpired term. He replaced former board member Jane Hanlin in April 2011 and served until December 2011, when the term expired. He did not seek election to the position.

Timmons said today he is happy to return to the school board and looks forward to serving again.

“I am humbled to have been selected to replace Mr. Littlejohn, and I do plan on running for the seat when it is up for election next year. I am very proud to be involved in Steubenville City Schools and support the school district in any way I can,” stated Timmons.

He recently served as chairman of the Steubenville Education Enhancement Committee successful campaign to promote the school district’s 4.7-mill levy on the November ballot.

The board accepted three donations during its monthly meeting Wednesday night.

The Zach Collaros Foundation awarded the school district $5,000, “for the students at Harding Middle School.” A $1,000 donation from the Charles M. Pugliese and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation was received by board members for the Steubenville High School orchestra. And Wheeling Nisshin sent a $1,000 donation to the city school district.

The board unanimously approved a resolution to honor the 2016 Big Red football coaches, players, faculty and the community following the high school football team’s second straight trip to the Division IV championship game.

According to the resolution read by board President Greg Agresta, “the Steubenville Big Red football team finished second overall in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV after a hard- fought championship game vs. the Bishop Hartley Hawks, and the Big Red football players and coaches proudly represented Steubenville City Schools, Steubenville High School and the City of Steubenville in the Division IV Championship.”

The board also focused on personnel matters during the meeting, including:

— A list of substitute teachers — Susanne Curn-Escobar, Scott Kosek, Phillip Livingston, Cynthia Pahnka and Jeremy Presley.

— The voluntary termination of Andrew Biasi as a part-time maintenance employee at Pugliese West Elementary.

— A maternity leave of absence for Harding Middle School science teacher Kate Eskridge.

— A leave of absence for Pugliese West paraprofessional Kara Purviance.

— The hiring of Kevin Terry as a part-time maintenance worker and bus driver.

— A medical leave of absence for Harding Middle cafeteria worker Donna Lindsey.

— A family medical leave of absence for Steubenville High School cafeteria worker Lynne Knight.

The school board also approved Josh Roche, Sarah Watt, Kennedy DiMarzio and Phillip Stoutz as high school natatorium lifeguards; Beverly Arajakas as a front desk employee; and Alaysia Smogonovich as a worker in the Big Red Works program.

Permission was granted for Special Olympics to use the Big Red track facilities on May 6.

In other matters, the board approved a three-year contract with the Ohio Auditor of State Local Government Services and announced a re-organizational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 11.