KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Congressman Mike Thompson joined Kelseyville Unified Superintendent Dave McQueen in honoring retiring high school Principal Matt Cockerton at the recent annual back-to-school staff breakfast.

Thompson presented Cockerton with a Congressional Record thanking Cockerton for his service as an educator and a community member.

The congressional recognition reads as follows:

“Mr. Cockerton began his career in education as a Physical Education teacher, Athletic Director and Coach in 1985. In 1991, he became the Vice Principal and Athletic Director of Kelseyville High School. Mr. Cockerton was the Principal of Mountain Vista Middle School from 1996 to 1997. He has been Principal of Kelseyville High School since 1997…

“Mr. Cockerton has been active in our community. He is a long-time coach for Westshore Little League Baseball and has served on their board. He is also a coach for Westshore Youth Football where he has been the President of the organization…

“George Matthew Cockerton has served his community honorably as a school administrator and coach. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here today.”

Cockerton was one of seven retiring staff members recognized by the district, but he was the only one who grabbed the microphone and began sharing funny comments that had Superintendent McQueen shaking his head in mock disbelief and the whole room of Kelseyville Unified employees laughing.

In addition to bidding a fond farewell to outgoing teachers, McQueen announced the dedication of the Kelseyville Unified Board Room in honor of recently deceased board member Dr. Peter J. Quartarolo, who served as a district trustee for 26 years.

Quartarolo was the longest serving board member of any school district board of trustee in Lake County at the time of his death and all of his children attended the Kelseyville Unified School District.

His wife, Cherie, was present at the back-to-school breakfast and she spoke eloquently about how much her husband’s work on the school board meant to him.

She accepted a plaque commemorating the Kelseyville Unified Board of Trustees’ renaming of the board room to the Dr. Peter J. Quartarolo Board Room.

McQueen also welcomed new staff members, reinforced the district’s values and priorities, outlined the professional development planned for the week, and took care of housekeeping issues like parking permits and communication protocols.

Finally, McQueen thanked Kelseyville Unified bus drivers who assisted during the recent fires, and he closed by thanking everyone present and letting them know how excited he is about this upcoming school year.