Fairfield Union board elects Todd Hoffman as president, appoints Jeff Smeltzer to vacancy
Summary
At its organizational meeting the Fairfield Union Local School District board elected Todd Hoffman president for 2026, appointed liaisons and legal counsel, and by resolution filled a vacant seat with Jeff Smeltzer, who was sworn in and apologized for a petition filing error.
Todd Hoffman was elected president of the Fairfield Union Local School District Board of Education at the board’s organizational meeting, and the board approved a slate of officer and liaison assignments for 2026.
The board nominated and voted to elect Hoffman after a motion and second; a roll call recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed. The board also moved to appoint a vice president and other routine liaisons, including the board’s traditionally assigned OSBA legislative liaison and a student achievement liaison. Legal counsel arrangements for 2026 — including representation by local firms in addition to the county prosecuting attorney — were approved as a standard recurring matter.
The board adopted Resolution No. 2026-001 to fill a board vacancy pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3313.11. By majority vote the board appointed Jeff Smeltzer to the vacant seat and directed the treasurer to notify the Board of Elections that the vacancy had been filled. Smeltzer was administered the oath of office and responded, “I do.” He later apologized to supporters who had signed his petition, saying he had left a year off one page of paperwork and that he would double- and triple-check filings going forward.
Other organizational items approved included standing authorizations for the district, appointments to the audit and fraud liaison roles (two members), and the annual meeting schedule for 2026. Each item was moved, seconded and approved by roll call as recorded in the meeting.
The meeting then moved on to superintendent and administrative reports and routine consent items. The board later voted to enter executive session on a public-content item; no action was indicated afterward.
Resolution No. 2026-001 and the oath administration conclude the board’s formal organizational business; the board will notify the Board of Elections as directed by the resolution.
