District 301 board honors 2 retiring officials
By Denise Moran For The Courier-News June 15, 2012 1:42PM
Updated: July 18, 2012 6:34AM
BURLINGTON — The Central Community Unit School District 301 board said its goodbyes this past week to retiring Central Middle School Principal Lloyd Stover and district business manager Ron Cope.
“Lloyd has given 33 years of service to the district,” said Superintendent Todd Stirn. “He grew up across from Lily Lake Grade School and has spent his entire career in the district. He has worked at numerous schools and coached at every level.”
In retirement, Stover said he may work with The 301 Central Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting District 301.
Stirn said the foundation’s Harlem Wizards event on May 9 at Central High School drew a crowd of 1,000 people and raised almost $8,000. Stirn also said that the foundation’s annual Trivia Schmivia will return to the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin on Nov. 10.
Cope has been working in education for the past 45 years.
“I started teaching in Belvidere in 1967,” Cope said. “I entered the field of administration in 1971 and became a superintendent for the first time in 1977. I retired as a superintendent in Galesburg in 2001.”
From 2001 until this year, Cope said, he worked part-time for Illinois State University at Normal. Since 2004, he also has worked as a part-time business manager for District 301.
“I have been mentoring District 301 Assistant Superintendent Greg Rabenhorst,” Cope said. “He received his official endorsement as business manager this year.”
“Ron came to the district in 2004 and was going to stay for one year,” Stirn said. “He’s retiring in 2012.”
“I’ve attended over 700 board meetings,” Cope said. “I will be moving to Woodstock so I can spend more time with my daughter and grandchildren.”
New principal
In addition to honoring two retirees, the board welcomed Rebecca Jurs as the new principal of Lily Lake Grade School. Jurs said she has worked for Community Unit School District 300 for the past 19 years. She is looking forward to working in District 301.
“We’re glad to have you join the team,” Stirn said.
New CHS roof
In other news, the school board approved replacement of the roof over the entire first wing of Central High School in Burlington. The district accepted the lowest bid of $405,218 from DCG Roofing Solutions in Des Plaines.
According to district officials, the 20,000-square-foot section is 20 years old. It will be replaced this summer with a white TPO, energy-efficient roof. The screens and windows that have bowed due to the aging roof also will be replaced.
“We need to do the work when classes are not in session,” Stirn said.
