Toledo board honors Women’s History Month, lists 1,439 years of combined service and hears parent attendance campaign

At its March 25 meeting the Toledo City School District Board of Education recognized Women’s History Month honorees, read a proclamation honoring Lucas County commissioner Lisa Becky’s YWCA Milestones award, and publicly listed district retirees with a combined total of 1,439 years and 7 months of service.

Jamie Lynn Mazer introduced the Women’s History Month remarks and an alphabetical list of retirements. Board members thanked honorees and retirees; the board invited retirees to come forward for photos and recognition. The proclamation honoring Commissioner Lisa Becky was read aloud and approved on a motion and roll-call vote.

During public comment Melissa Portela praised board member Sheena Barnes for advocacy and student support, saying Barnes ‘‘has done so much to uplift others in our community.’’ Joanne White, president of the Parent Teachers Organization at Jones Leadership Academy of Business, gave an update on an ‘‘attendance blitz’’ that began in February to encourage on-time arrival before state testing. White described outreach tactics—car-line engagement, bilingual flyers, coffee and thank-you cards—and said staff, principals and school nurses participated in outreach at elementary and high schools.

The board’s recognitions and parent reports were followed by routine consent-agenda approvals and committee reports. Several board members used their comments to highlight the retiree list and to thank staff and community partners for student- and family-focused programming.