Mentor School Board Honors Retiring Superintendent Jacqueline Hoynes

The Mentor Schools Board of Education honored the district's during their meeting Tuesday evening at .

They announced that the would be renamed the Dr. Jacqueline A. Hoynes School in honor of her 30 years working at the district and for her 10 years as superintendent.

During the meeting, School Board President Alan Mihok listed the many changes to the district Hoynes has overseen during her tenure. Mihok joked that the list of accomplishments was so long that he tried to pare it.

"But every one I read, I said, 'We can't cut that out. We can't cut that out,'" Mihok said.

Hoynes' accomplishments include restoring the district from financial crisis to stability. In fact, she led the second fastest financial turnaround for any school district in Ohio, Mihok said.

During that time, she encouraged the voters of Mentor to pass two new levies to stabilize the district.

Of her 10 years as superintendent, the Mentor Schools district was graded as excellent by the Ohio Department of Education seven times.

Hoynes also oversaw the addition of all-day kindergarten, the district's online school (Cardinal Achievement Academy) and the CARES facility that will now be named for her.

Hoynes was moved by the Board's gesture and the audience's standing ovation. She frequently wiped away tears while Mihok spoke.

Afterward, Hoynes thanked the Board, school staff, students and parents for the last 30 years.

"It's just been a great experience because of the people -- the staff, the students, the teachers," she said.

When asked what she would miss most about the job, Hoynes replied, "The kids."

Video of the School Board's resolution is attached to this story. This reporter apologizes in advance for his shakey hands.