[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6194422,"mediaKeyId","3864198-12533bd4f97144d1a1d1937be34296f0","parentId",3864198,"title","Mason City Schools approves hires and honors several long‑serving staff amid leadership transitions","audioSeconds",523,"startMs",4931000,"endMs",5454000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864198-12533bd4f97144d1a1d1937be34296f0&start=4931&end=5454","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864198-12533bd4f97144d1a1d1937be34296f0/thumbnail_4931000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6194422/Mason-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Mason-City-Schools-approves-hires-and-honors-several-longserving-staff-amid-leadership-transitions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194422-bcad6ab9f63a86cc46f303c277a463ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1775388736&Signature=DoTeaoO~dje4VykjJ8wUw4x408XFyBsohxBICwrQcT2pIgmF0ruU4u8t08tqpdIYshVPBaD4N72GT2PvqscVDX3kfPlnrm4eG7akzHpKnmDVEiWRkS5VS7f0Vr9uKmpp5BknFTfyxSKxViK4iy7qUpIdMjT9O4k~1uy59mhtd74rSSKJxT1SAkfmAOac-OF9YXOwcFxKAkWwD46wS6x-~3lZDOn37B5sm0klnzV9MSY-pkY6fX6Ywd8viwvTYzhlgUOmKa4VJ0oVjlrX~b~5VMwX~GnmEPDUxcXBjIwBJds-PhXwB3gcxW26rplHDrs00HGmgubpMETPDNiOpstVBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","ICRC-TV: Mason City School District","date","2025-06-18T13:59:29Z","article","The Mason City Schools Board of Education approved a slate of personnel recommendations including several internal promotions, new assistant principals and multiple retirements.

Superintendent Jonathan Cooper highlighted promotions and new hires: Ashwin (last name not specified in transcript) is joining from Sycamore High School, Brandon Lee is moving from Mason Middle School to Mason Intermediate assistant principal, and Kyle Licci (spelled in transcript variously) is joining from Lakota’s Wyandotte Elementary as an assistant principal. Cooper emphasized internal succession planning and noted the district’s focus on onboarding and professional learning for new leaders.

The board also accepted retirements and departures: Tom Dorfline announced his retirement and Todd Petrie (operations/facilities) will retire and transition to other opportunities; Assistant Principal Dan Distel will move to Hamilton County ESC. Cooper and board members offered public thanks for years of service and noted the institutional knowledge those staff members contributed to facilities projects, the “dream center” and other district initiatives.

The board approved a range of contracts and operational items connected to personnel and services: district renewals with Hamilton County ESE and Warren County ESE for special-education services and evaluations; agreements for occupational therapy and gifted‑coordinator services; and approved job descriptions for a director of legacy operations and a half‑day nurse position to address documented needs.

Board members and administrators praised the incoming leaders and thanked departing employees. Incoming assistant principal Brandon Lee briefly addressed the board and spoke to his 17 years at Mason Middle School and his intention to continue serving as a “servant educator.” The board said it will host onboarding events for new hires in August.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mason Board of Education 6/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved multiple personnel items including new assistant principals, retirements, and other staffing changes; administrators recognized retiring operations and facilities leaders and welcomed internal promotions and external hires.","taxTitle","Mason City, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",14478,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194426,"Mason High Moot Court team wins state championship; winners lauded at board meeting",160,459000,619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864198-12533bd4f97144d1a1d1937be34296f0&start=459&end=619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864198-12533bd4f97144d1a1d1937be34296f0/thumbnail_459000.jpg","/articles/6194426/Mason-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Mason-High-Moot-Court-team-wins-state-championship-winners-lauded-at-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194426-8abf762753ddc527f1870c3d257a506e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775388736&Signature=NR6c~d6uSMfNH~hFL7sxI1~QfNiIIs-ZsQk2sW1DRUtNb3VtIPV41CdMpH5zDc9q3awwEqRpNpuxPR0jT06TIyG7zShYXcNIwrXO1fpNRE8xajjIdls-QXag2KFkvNfe1jj-jZXUHRyQFmayLiZ8GcWkXUhkaVvjaQmzinMyIDU3kBPbyrRxXb9rT55aeh5F5j6etiEvNeoimj-FkA8agDPhVAjM~5WpeJBdJxdWVURLJBN2kheaQtQguHZoO~0hnWIbcrDP~ZDDUneTpzDIKRnXw9HIa4OIh9o5837tRzKTrB90v~uqlR4eUoXIlUFzWmZK~rkPMe7N3iYVfE8lug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mason High School Moot Court team was honored after earning the 2025 state championship.

District staff introduced the team and praised its student-driven structure and competitive achievements. Mr. Ring, the program advisor, introduced team members Aditi, Haley, Sujan, Aparna, Santosh and Aaron Sharma, the student who delivered the winning arguments in the championship round. The team also received awards for best petitioner advocate, best respondent advocate and best respondent brief, and the team received a senatorial citation from Ohio Senator Steve Wilson, 7th District.

Aaron Sharma described rigorous preparation: team members alternated roles in practice, cross‑questioned one another and spent long hours preparing written briefs and oral arguments. “We would just grill me on questions about why I thought the respondent was right. And then we switch sides and I'd grill her on why she thought the petitioner was right,” Sharma said, explaining the iterative practice method that helped the team anticipate judges’ questioning in appellate‑style rounds.

Board members and several attorney‑members of the audience compared moot court prep to real appellate practice and praised the students’ poise and legal reasoning. Superintendent Jonathan Cooper and board members applauded the program as an example of student leadership and pathway experiences the district aims to support.

The board invited the team for photos and publicly thanked coaches and families; several parents and local attorneys in the audience were singled out during remarks. The board encouraged the students to keep engaging with the program and to return as alumni to share their experiences with future teams.","Mason High’s Moot Court team, coached by Mr. Ring, won the 2025 state championship; student leaders described preparation and appellate-style competition, and the board recognized team members and coaches.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194431,"Mason High Science Olympiad places third nationally, state champions recognized by board",290,1365000,1655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864198-12533bd4f97144d1a1d1937be34296f0&start=1365&end=1655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864198-12533bd4f97144d1a1d1937be34296f0/thumbnail_1365000.jpg","/articles/6194431/Mason-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Mason-High-Science-Olympiad-places-third-nationally-state-champions-recognized-by-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194431-88eb3ad1a810e66e25cf033068214830/orig.mp4?Expires=1775388736&Signature=I2sc5BU3~IKgpPQ1DtbE3u3WsIZWyk6t8w8KqPY3vD-AGi~qRu9L6KvL3yBgRmFfzqgVjB44gXAKclT7msPYGRRs5ismuuvC0D3MOUDjWWmlO3jjK-eb2Y04t44K1D~j8W2UNwUVzGszrmV1E9qyPmb1ELm0UyZgCfVkRr-NvG68g41auOV6uF7Xu3AUq5u1KgSLGSYePbAy9mQaO8mDp8QWCs7wzzdVwC4U-tx0kVwIogi-3Ka2Nv2Dgy60BRYfgGG8WdZRkbyURtcbl~ymloz34zXAJU-ujsvN-ZEAt7X2~gMna69NvVgoeQrMRu73xPDFmUqnOAL8d21wBbVPGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mason High School’s Science Olympiad team returned to the board meeting after a season that produced a state championship and a third-place national finish.

Coach Steven Seiler and student leaders described a season built on deep participation: the varsity competitive roster is drawn from roughly 116 high-school participants and a larger program that now includes middle- and intermediate-school teams. “We have about a 116, a 118 people that do Science Olympiad at the high school level every year,” student captain Neesh Iyer said, describing a program that fields competitors across 23 distinct events that combine to produce a team score.

At nationals the team placed third overall and produced multiple top finishes: district presenters said the team earned eight top‑6 national finishes (national medals), 11 top‑10 placings, and two national event championships. The program also tallied 10 state gold medals and medaled in 22 of 23 events at the state tournament.

Parents and volunteer coaches praised the program and its legacy-building approach: parent speakers Frank Lewell and Tony Randazzo thanked the board and coaches, noting that alumni mentorship--high-school students teaching middle- and intermediate-school teammates--has strengthened the pipeline and the team’s sustainability. “Without him, I think the team is hard to be continuous,” volunteer Tony Randazzo said of lead coach Steven Seiler.

Board members and administrators highlighted the program’s broader benefits: student leaders explained how the wide set of events teaches collaboration, problem solving and exposure to STEM disciplines, and Superintendent Jonathan Cooper said such programs help students discover career trajectories and develop professional skills. Director comments tied the team’s achievements to community reputation: “If you go to the nationals, if you mention you are made from Mason, there's a wow,” one parent said.

The Mason Schools Foundation reported grants approved in the same board cycle that will support district programming: a $14,500 grant to support staff professional learning kickoff (AJ Giuliani speaker) and a $9,000 grant toward a fueling/performance nutrition center for student athletes in the new weight-room facility. Foundation leaders also approved a $2,000 elementary reading‑challenge allocation tied to an existing outdoor-classroom grant.

Coaches and students said the program’s early fall preparation—event leaders teaching newcomers and builders working on “build” events—was key to success, and described travel to major tournaments (MIT, Ohio State and Solon) as part of the competitive calendar. The board and community speakers encouraged continued support for staffing, volunteers and modest funding to sustain travel and multi-year program development.","Mason High School’s Science Olympiad team, with roughly 116 members across levels, won the state title and placed third at the national tournament; board and parents praised coaches and the program’s feeder structure while the Mason Schools Foundation approved grants to support student and staff programming.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194436,"Mason City Schools board authorizes up-to-$24 million contingency transfer amid state budget uncertainty",503,2983000,3486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864198-12533bd4f97144d1a1d1937be34296f0&start=2983&end=3486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864198-12533bd4f97144d1a1d1937be34296f0/thumbnail_2983000.jpg","/articles/6194436/Mason-City/School-Districts/Ohio/Mason-City-Schools-board-authorizes-up-to-24-million-contingency-transfer-amid-state-budget-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194436-4199323069a91d1c11d57cfa890a4520/orig.mp4?Expires=1775388736&Signature=QqxckudJUAN6pnEuwGDAqVffQyCJCHpifbiv208hOeytDq-bFA6yNd~ynA2-TRNoBJyFKaXyHHB4HksY4iTATR8IA-Lj3lpTg00ZOkuiLCkXRFNgyEdNlrTDxL2VBT5lIfFYpATSC0trSpWr0uM-Pl8Phl9yVOKtg-G84QLXM1eR3WtJfXZmFRw5FLJx3iog3te29CX4HenBXdDV6aO501XATGcKpKhjjdpe~Ei5PDVyHAD~VR4PKSjsMC6SWJ~ikPCS7ivsmqHR0pFjgc41xYSWjfQOnP9pyAd3IHZzB78cGjxt3BZpqVQu5dCM0IOMP4Bz-UCtGC~7iO1h3e2k9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mason City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to authorize district leaders to transfer up to $24,000,000 from the district's general operating fund to a capital improvement (PI) fund if a cash-reserve cap in the state budget takes effect.

Board members approved the contingency as part of the district’s fiscal year closeout resolutions and temporary appropriations, saying the action is a protective step while the state’s biennial budget (House Bill 96) and a recently introduced property-tax bill (House Bill 335) move through conference committee.

The measure matters because House Bill 96 discussions have included a proposed cash-reserve cap. “If that 30% cap was enacted tomorrow … that would be an impact of $24,000,000 for our school district,” Treasurer Sean Bevin said during the presentation. The district’s current general-fund reserve was cited as about 44%; the house proposal would cap reserves at 30% while a senate version under consideration would set a 50% cap and have no immediate effect on Mason’s reserves.

Superintendent Jonathan Cooper framed the vote as a precaution while the legislature finalizes decisions. “We have been working diligently at the state level, advocating on behalf of Mason City Schools,” Cooper told the board, and described the district’s outreach to state legislators and community contacts.

Board members pressed for clarity on mechanics: Bevin explained the cap would be enforced by the state reducing local inside or voted millage if a district’s operating cash exceed the limit, effectively removing locally approved levy revenue to bring reserves into compliance. The transfer authority would allow the district to move funds into a capital fund (where they would be restricted for facilities projects such as roofs and pavement) rather than have the state reduce local millage.

Board members described the decision as a risk-management step to avoid emergency governance action if the legislature enacts a cap before the board can meet again. Cooper and Bevin also urged community members to contact state legislators, stressing respectful, persistent advocacy. Cooper highlighted the practical impact of a separate bill being discussed in Columbus: “If House Bill 335 goes through, that's a 160 teachers” (as an illustrative example of scale), and district leaders warned of wide service impacts if inside millage were eliminated without local replacement revenue.

The board approved the fiscal-year closeout and temporary appropriations, which included the transfer authority. Roll call recorded five aye votes: Orr, Steele, Yingling, Galvin and Bache; the motion carried 5–0.

District officials said they will only enact the transfer if necessary after the legislature finalizes the budget and cap language, and that moved funds would be used for capital work rather than day-to-day operating costs.

The board encouraged residents to contact state representatives and described specific legislative items under watch: House Bill 96 (the state budget/biennium funding), a proposed cash-reserve cap discussed in the house and senate versions, and House Bill 335 (a more recent proposal that would eliminate certain inside millage revenue streams for local governments).

If enacted as written by the house sponsors, district leaders warned, the proposals could require rapid changes to how local taxes and district reserves are applied in Mason and across Ohio. For now, the board’s vote preserves an option to protect the district’s fiscal stability while the state process concludes.","Facing potential state budget changes and a proposed limit on operating reserves, the Mason City Schools Board approved authority to transfer up to $24 million from the general operating fund into the capital improvement fund as a contingency measure; board members and district leaders urged community advocacy to legislators.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mason City Schools approves hires and honors several long‑serving staff amid leadership transitions

Mason High Moot Court team wins state championship; winners lauded at board meeting

Mason High Science Olympiad places third nationally, state champions recognized by board

Mason City Schools board authorizes up-to-$24 million contingency transfer amid state budget uncertainty