District Talks Anti-Bullying and Traffic Efficiency at School Board Meeting

Mentor Schools was packed Tuesday night for the .

Parents, students and school employees filled every available chair at the beginning of the meeting.

Most of the crowd came for one of two items on the agenda – the presentation of an anti-bullying video and the recognition of the district's traffic department.

Superintendent Jacqueline Hoynes started her report by showing a video that outlined the district's anti-bullying program. The video did not reveal anything new that the district has not said before, but it did show many students and school principals talking about the tenets of its anti-bullying program.

The video also featured the school's Give a Hand, Take a Hand program that helps students with depression.

Many of the students featured in the video came to the meeting and were recognized afterward.

Mentor Schools has received scrutiny for its anti-bullying measures since four of its high school students committed suicide in recent years. Two of the students' families have sued the district, saying the school did not do enough to prevent bullying. Both suits are pending in federal court.

The school district also recognized its Transportation Department Tuesday night.

The department again received the highest possible efficiency rating from the Ohio Department of Education. Diana Zarlenga, the district's director of business operations, congratulated Supervisor of Transportation Karen Gerardi with flowers.

In turn, Gerardi thanked the mechanics, office staff, dispatcher and bus drivers who work with her.

"If it wasn't for all of you, it wouldn't work," Gerardi said.

Also, at the Board of Education meeting:

• The Board accepted Zarlenga's retirement at the end of the school year and thanked her for her hard work.

"The programs you have addressed in the four years since I've been here --  fantastic job," Board President Thomas Tuttle said to her.

• The district said most schools will not have classes President's Day.

Mentor Schools have exceeded their maximum number of calamity days. However, the Ohio legislature may retroactively return the number of calamity days from three to five this school year. Consequently, the administration does not want to make up calamity days until it knows it will be necessary.

However, will have classes Feb. 21. Garfield has already used seven calamity days this year, four for snow and three for a fire. Consequently, it will need to make up calamity days either way.

• Hoynes in the wake of a loss in district money and a shrinking student body