Replacement found for longtime District 95 board member

Lake Zurich Unit District 95 has found a replacement for a longtime school board member who's resigned due to a move outside the school system's boundaries.

Peter Etienne was sworn in Thursday to fill the remainder of Kathy Brown's four-year term until May 1, 2021. Brown, who won reelection in 2017, served the District 95 board for 15 years.

District 95 board President Scott McConnell said Etienne is an attorney who elevated himself above the other applicants for the volunteer position. McConnell said Etienne previously served on the board of regents at Trinity International University in Bannockburn.

"We went through a pretty exhaustive interview process," McConnell said before Etienne was sworn in during the meeting that occurred via Zoom teleconference. "We had more than 20 community members who threw their hats in the ring."

Brown's move outside of District 95 boundaries led to her resignation, officials said. She captured the most votes in winning one of four school board seats that featured six candidates in 2017.

In the campaign, the 55-year-old Hawthorn Woods resident first elected to the board in 2005 said she wanted the district to continue an effort to increase technology in the elementary schools. Brown also called for directing more money toward science, technology, engineering, arts and math initiatives and programs for all grade levels.