Back to school for Mason students as teachers vote on new contract [Video]

MASON, Ohio (WXIX) – Students in Mason City Schools return to class Thursday as teachers vote on a new contract and the high school has a new principal.

Teachers reached a tentative agreement last week after months of negotiations.

The union that represents more than 600 teachers sought a new three-year contract with increases to pay and professional development programs.

A federal mediator was brought in this spring to help negotiate a deal.

A contract draft proposed a 3.75% salary increase for the first year and a 3.5% pay increase for the following two years.

In other district news:

• Mason schools are enforcing a new cell phone policy that bans the devices from classrooms and hallways unless students receive permission from a staff member. Students will be permitted to use phones during lunch break.
• Mason High School – Ohio’s largest high school – is starting the 2024-25 academic year with a new principal. Ben …