School Board Member Announces Resignation

Gwen Corban, a Mentor Schools Board of Education member since 2003, emailed a letter to Board President Thomas Tuttle Tuesday morning.

"After much consideration, I have made the decision not to run for re-election," she wrote. "Therefore, I will be resigning from my board position as of Aug. 1, 2011. It has been my pleasure to work with fellow board members, (Superintendent Jacqueline) Hoynes, (CFO Daniel) Wilson and the staff to provide the students of our district with a quality education."

Tuttle read the letter during the .

Corban's board term goes until the end of 2013. The remaining board members will have to appoint her replacement to finish the term.

After the meeting, Corban said she wanted to give the board an opportunity to appoint someone who would be interested in being on the board for longer than the next two years.

All of Corban's fellow board members -- Tuttle, Alan Mihok, William Shaw and Mary Briner -- thanked her for her service and said they would miss her.

Mihok told Corban that if he could vote to prevent her from resigning, he would.

"I think she's been a tremendous asset to this board and to the district," Mihok said.

Corban was first appointed to the School Board when the district was in a financial crisis in 2003.

"You've been through the best of times and you've been through the worst of times," Shaw said, "and you did it with poise and grace."

Hoynes noted that she was principal of when Corban was the school's PTA president and that she had the pleasure of being the principal for Corban's children.

She added that Corban had also assisted the district by helping levy campaigns.

"(Corban's) a social worker for a reason," Hoynes said. "Because she's a problem solver."

Bryner told Corban, "Don't change your phone number. Don't move. Please be available to us."

In response, Corban said, "If the district needs anything, you can reach me."