On Monday night, the District 202 School Board swore in Ross Friedman, a challenger in the April 3 race.

But Friedman’s appointment to the board was a little out of the ordinary: Friedman lost the election by 48 votes.

Willie Miller Jr. won the fourth seat with 5,051 votes to Friedman’s 5,003.

But the board chose Friedman to fill a spot held by Helen Walker, who died of cancer on Feb. 22. By law, the board is allowed 45 days to appoint someone to fill a vacancy. Friedman will serve out the remainder of Walker’s term, which ends in 2003.

Board member Jane Colleton, who worked with Friedman on the school improvement team, said Friedman was chosen by mandate of the voters.

“This was a person the community also endorsed,” Colleton said. “There was a clear signal that Ross was a worthy person.”

Friedman did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Colleton said Friedman was selected over three other candidates.

“He’s not a lawyer, and that’s good.” Colleton said. “I think Ross will be a good contributor.”

In April, Friedman ran against one challenger and three incumbents for the four open seats on the board.

Other seats went to challenger Martha Burns, four-term incumbent Margaret Lurie and three-term incumbent Steven Gilford.

The board will swear in Burns in November.

Lurie, the board’s vice president, said she looks forward to serving with Friedman on the school board.

“He has a lot of good ideas,” she said.

Lurie cited Friedman’s background and experience as premium qualifications for the job.

“He’s spent several years coming to board meetings,” Lurie said. “He’s certainly well prepared.”

Colleton said Friedman will inherit a challenging situation in the school system.

“Everybody wants a quick fix on education, but its a tough process and there are all kinds of impediments,” Colleton said. “I think the board works very hard.”