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The Charlotte County School Board in a 6 to 1 vote on Oct. 29 appointed Interim School Superintendent Robbie Mason to the position of superintendent of Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) effective Jan. 1, 2020.

School Board member Robert Johnson who represents the Phenix/Aspen District, cast the only no vote. The Charlotte Gazette reached out to Johnson for comment on his lone no vote via email, however did not receive a reply before press deadline.

Mason served as assistant superintendent last year and was appointed interim superintendent in July.

“I am excited for the opportunity to lead a school  division with such a history of excellence,” said Mason.

Following the appointment of Mason, School Board Chairman Jon Berkley said, “I am excited about the appointment of Mr. Robbie Mason as Superintendent of Schools in Charlotte County, “Mr. Mason’s leadership is motivated by what is best for our students. I do not doubt that his Superintendence will elevate the educational opportunities for the students in Charlotte County.”

Mason says that his goal is to make sure that students have the best opportunities for success after graduation, regardless of the career path that they choose. “We can accomplish this mission by retaining great teachers, recruiting the best teachers available, providing students with rigorous coursework, and offering certification programs for students who may choose to take the career path directly after high school,” he said. “Education looks much different today than it did even five years ago; therefore, we must look for new ways to reach students and engage them in learning.”

In the July 3, edition of The Charlotte Gazette Mason commented on his then appointment as interim superintendent, “This is a tremendous opportunity for me to serve the county in which I attended school, the place in which I have worked, and where I am currently raising my children. We have a staff here that is second to none, and it is my privilege to work with these professionals to serve our children.”

Mason has been involved in public education for 22 years — teaching math at Randolph-Henry High School (R-HHS) for nine years serving as assistant principal at R-HHS for three years and as principal at R-HHS for four years. In addition to his time at R-HHS, Mason also served as assistant principal at William Campbell High School for five years.

Leading a school division is no easy task, and the job of a school superintendent involves making tough decisions, but Mason pointed out that it is the students that will come first in his decisions. “As a superintendent, there are many considerations involved with decision-making. Some decisions will be unpopular and scrutinized on many levels,” he said. “It is my job to provide people with accurate information about how we arrive at certain decisions to keep parents and other citizens informed. At the end of the day, I make decisions based on student needs and student outcomes.”