Mason High School's Science Olympiad team made history this spring, and on Tuesday, Aug. 18, the Mason City Schools Board of Education made it official with a formal recognition of the program's first back-to-back Ohio state championships.
Senior captains Alice Chi and Angela Tang addressed the board, telling members that "collaboration, persistence, and teamwork have helped the program grow," according to the district's board brief. About 100 MHS students participate in Science Olympiad; 15 competed on the varsity squad at the state tournament, where Mason placed top-three in 12 of 23 events, including five first-place finishes. The team went on to earn eight medals at the national tournament at USC.
Chi and Tang also highlighted a pipeline running from Mason Intermediate through Mason Middle School to the high school, where younger students learn alongside veteran competitors.
Board greenlights Focus 3 athletics review
The board approved an agreement with Focus 3, a Columbus-based leadership and culture consulting firm, to conduct a comprehensive review of the district's athletic program. The review will start with football, Mason's largest program, examining coaching, culture, student and family experiences and overall effectiveness.
Focus 3 has previously worked with Mason on leadership development. District leaders said the football review will become a model that eventually extends across all athletics and extracurricular activities. The board, led by President Ian Orr, approved the agreement. The contract's dollar amount was not disclosed.
Attendance policy overhaul gets first reading
The board held a first reading of revised attendance policies aligning with Ohio House Bill 96, which took effect Sept. 30, 2025. The key change: both excused and unexcused absences now count toward the state's chronic absenteeism threshold, according to Ohio Department of Education guidance.
Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Cooper outlined three checkpoints families should know:
- ~9 days absent: The district contacts the family.
- ~12 days absent: A school team reviews barriers and potential supports.
- ~18 days absent: The student hits the state's chronic absenteeism threshold, defined as missing at least 10% of required instructional hours.
HB 96 required districts to update attendance policies by Aug. 1, 2026. Mason's first reading came on Aug. 18. No vote was taken. A second reading and vote will come at a future meeting.
Financial forecast shifts to August
Treasurer Shaun Bevan presented the district's financial forecast earlier than usual, explaining that HB 96 now requires districts to submit forecasts in August and February rather than the previous schedule. A fuller financial presentation is planned for the board's September meeting.
Bevan noted that Mason's last operating levy, approved by voters in 2020, has now supported district operations for more than six years, exceeding the five-year projection leaders made at the time.
The Mason Schools Foundation reported it has invested approximately $1.5 million back into the district since 2008, according to foundation board member Tracey Carson. The foundation also approved grants supporting classroom libraries at Mason Middle School this year.
