Our District

Delivering Value
Mason City Schools achieve at the highest levels of academic performance, while costs are well-below the average of all districts in the state, and significantly below those districts producing similar results.

As part of the ongoing effort to control spending, Mason’s school board and administration cut more than $10 million in planned expenses since 2005. Mason spends more on teacher support and less on administration than the statewide average for all Ohio school districts.

How are Ohio’s schools funded?
Funding for Ohio’s public schools comes primarily from local property taxes and state income taxes. The state’s funding formula relies heavily on the local community. 53% of Mason’s general fund revenue comes from residential and business property taxes. Of this amount, 80% is from residents and 20% is from businesses.

The state is currently phasing out the business Tangible Personal Property tax, which is $3 million of the district’s current operating revenue. In fiscal year 2006, we received $11 million. Next year, we’ll receive nothing. The state is funding a portion of this loss, but that will be eliminated.

The State funds approximately 44% of our general revenues, with 30% coming from the State Foundation. This complex series of formulas resulted in Mason being flat-funded--no increases for three years.

Additionally, because of state budget shortfalls, it appears that Mason’s state funding may now be reduced. The chaotic nature of changes to the state’s school funding system, and the resulting drain in local revenues, continues to challenge our efforts to do whatever it takes to ensure that students are achieving at the highest levels possible.

What is Mason doing?
Mason City Schools remain vigilant about managing our resources effectively. While we’re proud that Mason spends well below the state average, ($288 less per pupil or $3 million more efficient) and significantly below those districts producing similar results ($1,901 less per pupil or $19 million more efficient) we continue to look for ways to deliver value by lowering costs for our taxpayers, while providing students with 21st century learning opportunities.

During the last biennium budget, Mason parents and staff partnered with other flat-funded districts to lobby in Columbus to change the way that highly-successful, suburban districts receive funding.

Mason City Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Kevin Bright and Treasurer Richard Gardner recently testified before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee about Substitute House Bill 1, or the Biennial Budget. They asked lawmakers to consider extending the business inventory tax phase-out, and to provide flexibility to high performing districts.

The Mason City Schools' Board and administration will continue to work hard on finding new ways of increasing efficiency, and advocating for adequate state funding.