Wilmington School Board Appoints Erick Hildebrandt to Vacant Seat

Wilmington City Schools Board of Education. Left to Right: Tim Wiederhold, Bill Davis, Carrie Zeigler, Marty Beaugard, Eric Hildebrandt, DeWeese

The Wilmington City School Board of Education held a Special Board Meeting at the Board Office on Friday, October 17, 2025 at 7:30am for the appointment of the recent vacancy of School Board Member Bill Liermann on September 23, 2025, and to appoint a Vice President of School Board for the remainder of the 2025 calendar year.

According to Wilmington City School Treasurer Kim DeWeese, the Board of Education had 30 days to name Liermann's replacement to serve the remainder of his until December 31, 2027. The following candidates applied:

1. Erik Hermanson

2. Eric Hildebrandt (running for election on November 4, 2025)

3. Kirstin Harris (running for election on November 4, 2025)

4. Jessica Manzo

5. Krista Tolliver (out of town during the week of interviews)

6. Heather Vilvens

7. Michael Weller

School Board President Bill Davis started the meeting by expressing his appreciation the the amount of qualified candidates who applied and their passion for serving the schools. Davis stated, "I will say as a group [of School Board Members]... it was atually encouraging [to see] the people people who put in [application], people who are invested in the area, care about it, and I think it just shows... to show that we had quality people put in [their application] really shows a lot, and I'm thankful for all of them that did because it makes it a had choice, but a good thing—it's good when you have good candidates to choose between. I'm excited for that; excited for the future. As I've told people, no matter what happens, get involved. Get involved in the schools."

School Board Member Carrie Zeigler then nominated Eric Hildebrandt for the open school board vacancy and School Board Member Marty Beaugard seconded.

Tim Wiederhold, who was also appointed to School Board in 2024 when Brian Shidaker vacated his seat for another position, commented that, "Even though I can legally vote on that [nomination], I will abstain with [Hildebrant and I] being in the election together."

Erik Hildebrant was sworn in to serve the remainder of Bill Liermann's term on the Wilmington City School Board until December 31, 2027. According to Superintendent Tim Dettwiller, Hildebrant will withdraw his petition with the Board of Elections for the November 4, 2025 election, and the three remaining candidates will now run for three open seats on the Wilmington School Board—Sara Fear, Kirstin Harris, and Tim Wiederhold.

Beaugard then nominated Zeigler to School Board Vice President for the remainder of the 2025 calendar year, seconded by Wiederhold.

Erik Hildebrant & Kim DeWeese