Kim Essen Chosen to Replace Jimenez on Board of Education

Kim Essen has been selected to replace James Jimenez on the Wayne Board of Education.

The board made the selection at a special executive meeting Sept. 7. Essen will serve for the remainder of Jimenez’s term, which will expire in 2012. Jimenez was to fill Lawrence Maron's at-large seat on the Municipal Council in July.

In a press release issued Thursday, Interim Superintendent Michael Roth said Essen has been a “very active” volunteer within the district since 2001. She was a member of the Strategic Planning Committee and has held various officer positions with the Wayne Council of Parent Teacher Organizations.

Essen, a travel consultant, has a business background in human resources and administration. Essen, who has lived in Wayne for more than 13 years., is married and has two daughters who both attend district schools.

“[She] is looking forward to serving on the board and is committed to bringing her own high expectations to our district for the benefit of all students," Roth said in the release. "She is focused, along with the other board members to our district, on defining and achieving clear goals for achievement and improvement, including establishing accountability systems and improving open communication.”