Media requests and public information requests should contact: 

Tracey Carson, Public Information Officer

211 North East St.
Mason, OH 45040
513-398-0474, option 7

Media Guidelines
The Mason City School District recognizes the important role the media plays in reporting news and information about its policies, programs, services, events, students and employees. The Public Information Office is committed to providing District information to the media and making every effort to work within media deadlines.

All media requests to interview, videotape or photograph Mason City Schools employees, students or board members must be made through the Public Information Office. When requests for student interviews are granted, the interview will be conducted at a District-designated site to minimize the loss of instructional time and disruption to the learning environment.

Visiting the District
The Mason City School District welcomes members of the media to visit our schools in order to follow through on stories. Members of the media are expected to notify the Public Information Office prior to gaining access to school property. As a safety and security precaution, the media will be asked to sign-in and present valid identification.

When videotaping, taking a still photograph, or conducting interviews while in the school district, the Public Information Officer (or designee) will accompany the media at all times to minimize disruption at the school and to assist with any additional requests.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Mason City School District abides by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which allows students and parents to opt out of the release of certain information about students, including photographs. The Public Information Officer works with each school to determine who cannot be photographed and interviewed according to FERPA guidelines.

School Board Meetings
Members of the media are invited to attend all open meetings of the Mason City School District Board of Education. Media may videotape and/or record these meetings. To avoid disruption of the meeting, members of the media are asked to not approach board members, guest speakers or members of the audience inside the board room during the meeting. Interviews should be conducted outside the board room in the foyer. Copies of the board agenda, informational items and other meeting materials are available online.

Emergencies
It is the Mason City School District’s practice to work as cooperatively as possible to provide timely information to the media on the emergency and its impact on students and staff members, provided the release of information does not jeopardize the emergency response activities, or conflict with FERPA, the well-being of our students and employees, or the concerns of their families. Members of the media may be assigned to a designated site to ensure full access to the emergency by emergency response teams.

The Public Information Office will work as quickly as possible to provide accurate information to the media through a spokesperson, written release or statement, or news briefings.