New member appointed to Arlington Hts. school board

Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 has appointed Erin Johannesen to the seat on the school board left vacant after member Phil Crusius died last month.

Johannesen went through several rounds of interviews in the past few weeks and was sworn in by the District 25 school board at Thursday's meeting.

She will hold the seat until the next election in April 2015.

"Congratulations to the Board of Education members on conducting a thoughtful and organized process," said Superintendent Lori Bein, who also had her first meeting with the district on Thursday.

"They have identified a qualified and positive candidate to join them in their important work representing the residents of Arlington Heights School District 25."

Johannesen lives in Arlington Heights and has three children in District 25 and District 214 schools, according to a news release.

"Erin has served in many volunteer roles at her children's schools ... and has provided many hours of positive volunteer service to the Arlington Heights community," the release said.

Johannesen has a bachelor's degree in marketing and a master's degree in business administration.

"I am very passionate about the excellence of the community within which I live and am grateful for the opportunity to support and contribute to it," Johannesen said.

Crusius was in his second term on the board when he passed away after a battle with cancer in June.