CHAMPAIGN  — The Champaign school board has chosen a veteran employee as the district's next superintendent.

Judy Wiegand, who has been with the school district since 1987, most recently as assistant superintendent for achievement and pupil services, was announced at a 2 p.m. news conference as the successor to Arthur Culver.

Before she takes over, she'll become interim superintendent following the departure of Interim Superintendent Robert Malito. His last day will be next Wednesday; state law mandated he could work for the district for 100 days.

Wiegand will become superintendent once her contract is finalized. Wiegand said it was her decision to apply for the job, even though she did so after the deadline for applicants had passed.

She was principal at Centennial High School from 2002 through 2007. She started as a special education teacher there in 1987. From 2007 until 2010, she was director of secondary education, assessment and professional development before becoming associate superintendent.

Finalists for the job were Wiegand, Johnnie Thomas and Darryl Taylor. They were interviewed during the week of Dec. 12.

One finalist, Steven Cobb, withdrew for personal reasons. Click here to see a Q&A with the finalists.

Wiegand's contract will be finalized in January. She'll serve as interim superintendent until the contract is signed.

The announcement comes soon after the board met to discuss how interviews with community groups went.

Wiegand started her career in Unit 4 as a special education teacher. She's also been a dean of students, assistant principal and principal at Centennial High School, and director of secondary education, assessment and professional development.