Whitehall-Coplay School Board held meetings Nov. 25 and Dec. 3.

The Nov. 25 meeting was Dr. Robert Steckel Jr.’s final meeting as superintendent of the district.

Board President William Fonzone read a letter on behalf of the board:

“On behalf of the Whitehall-Coplay Board of Education, we’d like to thank you for your leadership the last three years, working with our administrative staff and faculty and instituting new academic programs to help raise our students to be the best they can be. On behalf of the board, we wish you and your family the very best in your new endeavor. A sincere thank you for your outstanding leadership.”

“We want to thank you for all the service you provided here,” board Vice President George Makhoul said. “You brought really good change to our school district. You came at a critical time when our district was looking for something to put us on a new step forward, and you brought it to a place now where it’s much better than where you found it. We are so grateful for what you brought.”

The board had earlier announced Christopher Schiffert, assistant to the superintendent, will officially be the new superintendent of Whitehall-Coplay School District.

“I just want to congratulate Chris,” Steckel said. “Chris has been loyal and a sounding board. We’ve made some good decisions together over the three-and-a-half years, and I’m just super excited for you. I wish you the best of luck.”

“Best career move I ever made was coming to Whitehall,” Schiffert said. “I’m proud to be here, and I look forward to serving our community.”

The board held its annual reorganization meeting Dec. 3.

Fonzone will remain president, and Makhoul will remain vice president.

The next board meeting will be 7 p.m. Dec. 16 in the Large Group Instruction room at Whitehall High School, 3800 Mechanicsville Road.