Toledo district celebrates national honors, retirees and $500,000 state allocation for pre-med academy

District leaders used the Oct. 22 meeting to highlight national honors, honor retirees and announce a state funding allocation to support a pre-med/health academy for Toledo students.

Presenters said Dr. Durant was named the Council of Great City Schools 2024 Urban Educator of the Year and will receive a $10,000 scholarship to award to a TPS student; Mona El Hayani, a veteran history teacher at Toledo Early College, received the 2024 Queen Smith Award. Miss Mazer/Mazur introduced video tributes and members of the board offered congratulations, praising the recipients' leadership and impact.

The board also honored retirees—including Nancy Kaunerman, Annette Driftmeier, Frances Bridal, Rose Gaddis, Jennifer Holloman, Jeffrey Michalek and Dolores Newman—citing a combined 209 years, 9 months of service to Toledo Public Schools.

Superintendent remarks included a report that the district celebrated a $500,000 state allocation to support a pre-med and health science academy at Mercy College that will create training and transition opportunities for TPS students. Board members described the national attention as raising Toledo’s profile and noted the district’s participation and presentations at the Council of Great City Schools conference.

Board comments during the meeting reflected pride in district achievements and programmatic innovations such as the Moon Tree project and workforce-development events. No formal action was associated with these recognitions; they were presented for acknowledgment and information.