Reynolds school directors Wednesday appointed John Lowry to fill a vacancy on the school board.

Lowry, a former board president, replaces Sue Mitchell. She resigned last month with about a year left in her first term to take a job in Dubois, Pa.

It took three votes Wednesday for the board to choose Lowry, who was vying with Beverly Morrison for the open seat. Both are Pymatuning Township residents.

Lowry edged out Ms. Morrison, 4 to 3, in the first two votes; board member Elizabeth Schuffert was absent. The appointment, however, required five votes to carry.

Directors Jeff Colson, Barry Nelson, George Reeher and Maddox Stokes backed Lowry in the first two votes, while Dan McBride, Gary Preston and Bradley Stull supported Ms. Morrison.

Discussion followed the second vote. While most board members were quick to tout both candidates, most comments leaned in favor of Lowry and his board experience.

While McBride said he hoped to get "some new blood" on the board, Stokes said he didn't consider appointing Lowry a "recycling of old blood."

"Mr. Lowry will hit the ground running. He has five years of experience on the board," said Nelson.

"I think what we need right now is experience," Stokes added.

The third vote went in favor of Lowry, 6 to 1. Preston voted for Ms. Morrison a third time.

Lowry was sworn in after clinching the vote and was named to the personnel and activities/athletics committees.

Lowry said his only comment was about Mrs. Morrison.

"She's a wonderful person, and she's well qualified," he said. "I don't think it would have been a problem either way."

Also Wednesday, Colson was appointed board treasurer and personnel committee chairman to fill vacancies created by Ms. Mitchell's departure.