Cliff Cobert attended his last school board meeting as superintendent of East Peoria District 309 Monday.
Cobert, who has been with the district for nine years, said he plans on traveling and spending more time with his grandchildren.
“Thank you Cliff, for your service,” secretary of the board Annie McGraw said as the meeting closed.
“I really appreciate that and I’d like to thank the board for your support over the years,” Cobert said.
His last official day as superintendent is June 30.
Chuck Nagel, current associate superintendent of East Peoria District 86, will take the reigns from Cobert July 1.
In other business and discussion, the board:
• approved the amended fiscal year 2010 budget of about $22.8 million.
The budget was amended because of a decline in revenue and delayed payments from the state.
“This budget has been available in the district office since the May board meeting,” Cobert said.
• heard an update on the state of the building construction from principal Paul Whittington.
“As far as the building goes, we are completed on (the) third floor, we’ve done all of the classrooms on the second floor, we’ve got the hallway to do there, but we’re actually down on the first floor now in to some of the classrooms,” he said. “We’re moving ahead because by the middle of July we’re going to be able to go into the construction areas and prep those floors prior to move-in.”
Whittington said ceiling tiles near the buildings soon-to-be main entrance will be replaced to help create a “fresh, clean entrance.” Several of the tiles have moisture spots. Whittington said once the moisture issue is solved, the tiles will be replaced.
“They are moving along pretty well,” he added.
• approved student insurance.
“The district, for a number of years, has provided student accident insurance,” Cobert said. “This does cover our student athletes as they participate in extra-curricular activities.”
Markel Insurance Company, represented locally by Callender & Co., will provide coverage for the 2010-11 school year at $7.45. Last year, the same company provided the same coverage at the rate of $11.60 per student.
• accepted a bid of $34,902 from Bradfield’s Flooring to replace the carpeting in the library.
“The carpeting is really showing its age,” Cobert said. “It needs to be replaced.”
The same carpet tiles that are in the new classroom addition will be used. Because there may not be enough time to complete the job before the school year begins, carpet tiles will be installed in the entry area this summer. If more time is needed, the carpet tiles in the rest of the library will be installed during winter break.
