MECCA — The Maplewood Board of Education on Monday thanked longtime Superintendent Perry Nicholas for his service to the district for the past 19 years.

Nicholas will retire July 31 after a 42-year career in education, having been a teacher, principal and superintendent.

“I have been very honored to have worked with such an outstanding staff, community and school board. I have been fortunate to be here,” Nicholas said.

Board member Tami Morrison presented Nicholas with large envelopes filled with cards and letters from students and staff, thanking him for his service. Students made many of the cards with special messages for Nicholas.

Morrison’s daughter, Clara, 8, a third-grader in Maplewood schools, handed her card to Nicholas.

Clara and Nicholas joked they share the same birthday of July 29.

“We will miss him. He always put the students first. This is the end of an era for the school district,” Morrison said.

Board member Tom Donaldson said Nicholas was “great for leading the district the past 19 years.”

Board President Kevin Blair said during Nicholas’ tenure, the district received top honors for students performing very well on state tests. Before coming to Maplewood, Nicholas worked for LaBrae schools.

In other business, the board accepted the retirement resignations of elementary teachers Lisa Grayson, who taught sixth-grade math, and Laurie Vitko, who taught elementary technology, with both having been with the district more than 30 years. The retirements are effective May 31.

The board also approved 51 seniors for graduation, which is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the school.

Board members discussed Senate Bill 158, which would ban students from using cellphones during school. Nicholas said there has been discussion at the state level on both the pros and cons of cellphones in schools.

He said there are issues nationwide of students taking photos of other students, sharing inappropriate photos or texts, or using them without teacher permission in class.

“Superintendents across the country have discussed how cellphones have caused a lot of discipline issues in schools, so there has been a lot of push to get the bill passed. I know parents want their children to have cellphones in case of emergencies,” Nicholas said.