Superintendent can be proud of her record

The accomplishments of Carson City School Superintendent Mary Pierczynski are enough to make her retirement announcement on Tuesday a sad day for the district. Because there are several months left in her tenure to look at them in more detail, for now they're best summarized by saying Carson City's schools are better now than they were when she took over in 2001. The district can also boast of an enviable record of financial discipline and balanced budgets, even in the face of declining enrollment and funding. She led the district through many difficult decisions and was undaunted by the vocal critics that resulted.

For her accomplishments, she's received the highest honors given in the state to superintendents.

But probably even more remarkable are the many other ways Mary Pierczynski has given back to Carson City through her involvement in community causes and issues, the extent of which are seldom credited by her critics. Those who've worked with her come to understand quickly that at the heart of her success in both the school district and the community is the fact that she cares about people.

We wish she were continuing with the school district, but are happy she'll remain in the community and hope she'll stay active in the many causes where she's left her mark.

• This editorial represents the views of the Nevada Appeal Editorial Board