A vacancy on the Northern Lehigh School Board has been filled.

The school board, on an 8-0 vote Monday, appointed Kristie Wilk as its newest board member.Wilk, of Washington Township, will be sworn in at next month's regular school board meeting.She will serve from that point until December. To serve beyond then, she will have to run in the municipal election.Wilk's appointment came after a special meeting in which the board interviewed four candidates before the start of its regular board meeting.Each of the candidates was asked why they did not run for the board originally, and why they decided to apply now along with why they would be the best candidate.Wilk said she didn't originally apply because she didn't think about it at the time.Now that her kids are a little older, Wilk said she believes she can devote the necessary time that being a school director requires.Wilk cited her background in human resources, being a good listener, and not being impulsive when it comes time to make decisions, as the reasons why she would be a good fit for the post.The other three residents who applied were David Roberts of Washington Township; Michelle Heckman of Slatington, and Elissa Pesesko of Washington Township.Afterward, Director Gregory Williams thanked each of the candidates for their interest, and encouraged them to continue to attend board meetings.Wilk said she was thankful to be chosen for the seat."I'm excited," Wilk said. "I'm looking forward to getting started."Wilk said her immediate goals are to get involved in the district's committee meetings, specifically the policy committee, and to assist in the selection of a new superintendent.Candidates were originally asked to turn in letters of application to the district by March 23.However, after no letters were received, the district extended the deadline until Monday afternoon.The seat became open after Director Edward Hartman resigned last month, though no reason was given for his departure.Board President Gary Fedorcha said at that time Hartman's resignation was believed to be due to personal reasons.Hartman joined the board in December 2007, and most recently served as its vice president, after having spent much of his tenure as board president.