EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - The state superintendent of Illinois public schools says he will oust the elected school board for East St. Louis, arguing it has not acted in the best interest of students.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported (http://bit.ly/Jt5HLN ) Saturday that the superintendent intends to take that action in the next 60 days, completing the state’s takeover of the district.

According to state officials, the step is the first of its kind but is necessary because they say the seven-member board improperly interfered in contract and personnel issues.

Illinois Schools Superintendent Christopher Koch told a state board meeting earlier in the week that working with the board in East St. Louis has been a struggle.

President of the East St. Louis School Board Lonzo Greenwood could not be reached for comment.

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