William Mason High School
The Chronicle Volume 8
Friday, October 1, 2010 Issue 1
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School News
Carrot Country
New healthy choices in cafeteria The absence of the jumbo Otis Spunkmeyer cookies and other cafeteria favorites have left some students up in arms. But these changes are a result of federal and state legislation that regulates nutritional standards in school lunches. While some students said they are boycotting the school food, the cafeteria said sales have not decreased.
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Hallway Talk Seniors arrive late on Testing Day
photos by Megan McCormack
New carrot vending machine causes students to go bananas for carrots
see Page 17
Resident requests to criminally charge Mason City Schools Carlie Sack | Editor in Chief
Mason resident John Meyer requested a criminal investigation of Mason City Schools through a letter sent to Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel on September 9. The reason for this request was the voluntary deduction of portions of Mason City Schools employees’ paychecks to the pro-levy organization, Mason for Kids, according to Meyer. Meyer said these paycheck deductions are a possible violation of statute 3315.07 Section C of the Ohio Revised Code, which states that “no board of education shall use public funds to support or oppose the passage of a school levy.” “How could this not be violation of statute 3315.07?” Meyer said. “Because when school
employees are [donating the money through] Mason City Schools’ payroll system, they’re transferring monies via checks or electronic transfer to the pro-levy campaign.” Mason Resident Warren John Meyer County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Nolan said that the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office is currently “looking into” the request to decide if they will proceed with a formal investigation. Meyer said he originally sent his request to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office and was directed to the local prosecutor’s office.
Meyer said he believes Mason City Schools has performed “a blatant violation [of the law] without any care or concern.” Mason for Kids Co-chairs Courtney Allen and Julie Womack said that they are not surprised by Meyer’s outspoken opposition to the voluntary deductions from employees’ paychecks. “[The donations have] been a great opportunity for us and for staff to show their support [of the levy,]” Allen said. “So anytime there is great support for us, we aren’t surprised by opposition trying to challenge that.” Allen and Womack said they initiated the effort that allows parts of employee paychecks to be automatically donated to Mason for Kids because the
method has been used in other school districts. “It’s done in other school districts in Ohio,” Allen said. “We figured it was an easier, ongoing way for people to continue to support this organization anytime the school has to go to the ballot with an issue.” But Meyer said that Mason City Schools has “create[d] a deception to the public in order to empty the public’s pockets.” But this accusation against Mason City Schools has not negatively affected Mason for Kids or the support of the levy, according to Womack. “I think the support [of the levy] is strong and I don’t think that [this issue] has an impact on the voters,” Womack said.
Senior students can arrive to school at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 13 due to the creation of Testing Day. New to Mason High School this year, Testing Day combines the freshmen EXPLORE, the sophomore PLAN and the junior PSAT tests into one day, according to testing coordinator and counselor Phyllis Bell. Unlike previous years of testing, students will be will be spread out in classrooms, the KIVA, the small commons or the Harvard Room, instead of being seated in the large commons or auditorium. During the testing period, senior class advisor Maria Mueller said that seniors will receive information about graduation.
AP students may score higher on exams this May Due to a change in the scoring of Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, Mason students could recieve better scores, according to AP Statistics teacher Stephen Mays. Students will no longer be penalized for incorrect multiple-choice answers, according to CollegeBoard.com, which will encourage students to guess on questions they are unsure of. “I don’t think [the change] makes the test easier, but the scores may be a little bit higher,” Mays said.