2025 Bond
Mason Public Schools (MPS) is committed to creating safe, modern learning spaces that match the high-quality education our students receive.
On June 26, 2025, the MPS Board of Education (BOE) voted to place a bond proposal on the November 4, 2025, ballot. If approved, the bond would generate an estimated $66 million without raising the current tax rate for Mason homeowners.
Board Approves Bond Offering for November Election
Mason Public Schools (MPS) is committed to creating safe, modern learning spaces that match the high-quality education our students receive. On June 26, 2025, the MPS Board of Education (BOE) voted to place a bond proposal on the November 4, 2025, ballot. If approved, the bond would generate an estimated $66 million without raising the current tax rate for Mason homeowners.
Details about the proposed bond can be found in this informational brochure.
This proposal reflects months of community engagement including work from the Bond Steering Committee and feedback from more than 1,000 community members through a survey conducted in January 2025. Based on that input and assessments of our current facilities, the bond would fund priority needs projects including:
- Extensive renovations at Mason Middle School
- High School renovations
- A new transportation facility
These updates build on the extensive renovations completed at our elementary schools during the 2017 bond and align with the district’s long-term vision and our Strategic Plan goals to continuously improve and update school facilities.
“Mason is a place where families choose to live, and stay, because of our outstanding schools and this bond proposal thoughtfully outlines the priority needs of our district facilities in order to match the high-quality education our staff delivers every day," said MPS BOE President Liz Evans.
More information, including full survey results and project details, are available below. For questions, please contact Superintendent Dr. Gary Kinzer.
2025 District Needs Survey Results
Earlier this year, Mason Public Schools (MPS) invited the community to share their input through a districtwide survey. The survey helped identify priority needs based on the feedback from more than 1,000 residents.
The survey was shared with MPS families and staff, was presented to local civic organizations, and promoted through newsletters and on social media. Respondents shared insights about the condition of district buildings, the impact of the 2017 bond and future facility needs.
Key survey results found:
- 62% of respondents reported the 2017 bond was “a success”
- 74% of respondents support major renovations to the Mason High School auditorium
- 65% of respondents “strongly supported” or “supported” the proposed bond offering that would allow for significant improvements at Mason Middle School and improvements to the high school auditorium while not raising the current tax level
Survey Results
Survey Results
Question 1: Are you a homeowner in the district?
- Yes: 81%
- No: 19%
Question 2: What age bracket are you in?
- 18-24: 1%
- 25-34: 12%
- 35-44: 37%
- 45-54: 27%
- 55-64: 10%
- 65-74: 9%
- 75+: 3%
- Under 18: 1%
Question 3: If you have children/grandchildren (or are a student) in the district, which school(s) do they attend? Select all that apply.
- Mason High School: 23%
- Mason Middle School: 19%
- James C. Harvey Education Center: 13%
- Steele Elementary School: 10%
- North Aurelius Elementary School: 10%
- Alaiedon Elementary School: 8%
- None of the above: 17%
Question 4: How do you (and members of your household) learn about the MPS programs, activates and facilities? Select all that apply.
- Social Media: 581
- Weekly email blasts: 503
- Friends and family: 426
- MPS documents received by mail: 389
- MPS website: 334
- Newsletters: 217
- Flyers displayed in schools: 90
- Large display signs in schools: 81
- Television: 38
- Other: "staff, my kids, teachers, service clubs, I work in the district"
Question 5: Please rate your level of satisfaction with our current buildings and facilities:
| Building | Excellent | Good | Fair | Needs Improvement | Poor | N/A |
| Elementary Schools | 37% | 40% | 5% | 3% | 0% | 15% |
| Middle School | 8% | 28% | 17% | 16% | 6% | 25% |
| High School | 8% | 28% | 17% | 18% | 5% | 24% |
| High School Performing Arts | 6% | 24% | 15% | 20% | 9% | 25% |
| High School Athletic Facilities | 18% | 39% | 12% | 8% | 2% | 20% |
| STEM labs, lab spaces | 10% | 24% | 10% | 7% | 2% | 48% |
Question 6: Are you a registered voter?
- Yes 98%
- No: 2%
Question 7: Did you support the 2017 Bond program?
- Yes 65%
- No: 11%
- None of the above: 24%
Question 8: Do you feel the 2017 Bond program was a success?
- Yes: 62%
- No: 13%
- None of the above: 25%
Question 9: If no, please indicate the reason why.
- Not enough information to make an informed decision: 34%
- Perceived to be too much money: 16%
- Other: 51%
Question 10: Where do you feel bond dollars should be focused on for a future Bond program?
- Significant improvements at the Middle School: 6%
- Significant improvements at the High School: 10%
- A combination of both: 71%
- None of the above: 13%
Question 11: Please rank the following options for investing at the Middle School (first being most preferred, last being least preferred):
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| The most affordable option | 408 | 259 | 232 |
| Improving existing schools (renovations and additions) | 359 | 486 | 54 |
| Constructing new school | 132 | 154 | 613 |
Question 12: Would you support major renovations and improvements to the High School performing arts/auditorium?
- Yes: 74%
- No: 26%
Question 13: Would you support potentially upgrading our athletic fields to synthetic turf?
- Yes: 37%
- No: 63%
Question 14: How likely would you be to support the following strategies:
Option 1: MPS has the opportunity to issue a new school bond (pending voter approval) that would raise enough money to do significant improvements at our Middle School and limited improvements to our High School, specifically to the performing arts auditorium. These needed funds could be levied at current millage levels without raising the community’s current tax level.
| Strongly Support | Support | Neutral | Oppose | Strongly Oppose | Total |
| 35% | 30% | 16% | 9% | 9% | 100% |
| 311 | 265 | 143 | 77 | 83 | 879 |
Option 2: Propose a millage increase in line with other neighboring districts. This would allow us to expand upon Option #01 (above) and include significant renovations at the High School, as well as some of our athletic facilities. The impact of this property tax increase would be approximately $11.00 per month per $100,000 of taxable value of your home.
| Strongly Support | Support | Neutral | Oppose | Strongly Oppose | Total |
| 26% | 22% | 21% | 14% | 16% | 100% |
| 231 | 195 | 190 | 127 | 143 | 886 |
Bond Activity and Updates
Informational Meeting Presentation- School Improvement Bond- May 12, 2025 - This presentation includes the outcomes of the 2017 bond, results of the January 2025 community survey, an overview of the proposed bond and additional details outlining how funds would be allocated if the proposed bond were to pass.
Bond Committee Update Presentation- February 10, 2025 - This presentation includes an overview of school financing, research, district needs assessments and various options being considered for a potential bond offering in November 2025.
Mason Public Schools (MPS) is committed to creating safe, modern learning spaces that match the high-quality education our students receive. On June 26, 2025, the MPS Board of Education (BOE) voted to place a bond proposal on the November 4, 2025, ballot. If approved, the bond would generate an estimated $66 million without raising the current tax rate for Mason homeowners.
During a community informational meeting on May 12, 2025, the School Bond Committee shared details about a proposed School Improvement Bond. The committee reviewed the outcomes of the 2017 bond, shared results of the January 2025 community survey, gave an overview of the proposed bond and provided additional details outlining how funds would be allocated.
The proposed bond would be a zero mil increase School Improvement Bond expected to yield approximately $65 million dollars. If approved, the bond would fund major renovations at Mason Middle School, improvements and upgrades to the Mason High School auditorium, and a new transportation facility. It would also support technology enhancements and continued building updates across the district.
Fellow Bulldogs,
In the fall of 2023, Mason Public Schools (MPS) passed a new five-year strategic plan. One of the four primary focuses of the plan is Facilities and Infrastructure improvements. The plan calls for the district to prepare for a bond initiative during the 2025 calendar year. The proposed School Improvement Bond, which will be presented to voters in November if approved by the Board of Education at the June 26 budget hearing, would request the Board NOT raise taxes from the 2025 assessment level.
Community members are invited to an Informational Meeting on Monday, May 12 at 6 pm at Mason City Hall to learn more about the recommended School Improvement Bond which will be presented to the Board of Education in June.
