By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Bob Wright has worked for Niles Community Schools for 22 years.
The district's director of business and finance will retire from his position later this month. On Tuesday morning, Wright was honored for the eight years he has volunteered his time as the treasurer and accountant for the Multicultural Involvement Council (MCIC), which is the governing board of the Fresh Start alternative education program.
"[The MCIC is] one of the better organizations I've been involved with that makes an impact on the kids," Wright said.
On the first Tuesday morning of each month for the last eight years, Wright has donated his time to the MCIC, said Mary F. Crayton, the organization's chairperson. With his departure, MCIC is searching for another volunteer treasurer and accountant.
"Not many people would get up and get to a meeting at 7 a.m. … sometimes 6 a.m. … for no pay," said MCIC Vice Chair Charlie McAfee.
As a sign of their appreciation, MCIC presented Wright with their Humanitarian Award. Plus, McAfee also sang to Wright a hymnal of "We need you every Tuesday morning." Niles Community Schools Superintendent Doug Law gave Wright a gift certificate from the board of education.
Wright announced he was leaving his position with the school in August, and said Tuesday he wanted to retire while he was healthy and able to enjoy the time. He said he and his wife plan to take extended camping trips and spend time with their grandchildren.
The Niles Community Schools budget was about $13 million in 1985 when Wright began working for the district. The district's financial plan for 2006-2007 was set at about $36 million.
Thomas Skarbek, a Niles graduate and former director of budgeting and financial reporting with the City of South Bend, Ind., will assume Wright's position starting Jan. 15.