Mason Schools superintendent retiring; new role planned

This school year will be the final one for Mason City Schools Superintendent Dr. Gail Kist-Kline.

After over 30 years, the last seven with Mason Schools, Kist-Kline is retiring on June 30, according to a statement from the district.

MORE: Warren County’s largest school system plans $42.2M building project

In July 2018, Kist-Kline will begin her new role as president at The Christ College of Nursing & Health Science.

“I know myself well, and believe that everything has a season. I am most proud of having been able to grow leadership capacity,” she said in a statement.

During her time with Mason Schools, which is the largest district in Warren County, Kist-Kline redesigned the district’s technology budget and focus, created and led a Teacher Leadership Academy that more than 300 teachers have participated in, helped spearhead the statewide adoption of a “Quality Profile” by more than 60 Ohio school districts as a companion to the State Report Card, and helped found the Greater Cincinnati School Advocacy Network of more than 40 school districts in Southwest Ohio, according to the district.

MORE: What could more graduation rule changes mean for the Class of 2019?

”I have been privileged to work alongside some outstanding people, and I believe that now it is my responsibility to recognize and nurture top talent so that these dynamic people can achieve their dreams while ensuring that Mason continues “Growing Greatness Together,” Kist-Kline said.

Kist-Kline is the current president of the board of the Miami University Alumni Association and has served on several community and educational boards including the newly founded Grant Us Hope board, which aims to prevent suicide.

Before joining Mason City Schools, Kist-Kline spent over three decades as an educator in Ohio as a high school teacher, faculty member at Miami University for eight years, assistant principal in the Lakota Local Schools, principal at St. Joseph Consolidated School and Princeton City Schools, curriculum coordinator at Princeton, and assistant superintendent and superintendent of Wyoming City Schools.

“Leading a bold effort to equip, empower, and inspire the next generation of leaders is no easy feat, and we have been blessed to have Dr. Kist-Kline at the helm. She has empowered a team of leaders with integrity who are ready to step up to serve, and we are so grateful for her foresight and courage,” Mason Schools Board President Matt Steele said in a statement.

“Dr. Kist-Kline came to Mason at a challenging time in our district’s history. Following the 2010 levy failure, she oversaw efforts to reduce costs that included closing an elementary school, reducing the administration, eliminating over 125 staff positions, moving from trimesters to semesters, and streamlining transportation services,” he said. “Today, our district’s finances are stable, and most importantly we have been able to invest in innovative programming and maintain extraordinary opportunities for our students — all within the framework of building a culture of leadership.”