Richard Mason has dedicated nearly 50 years to the Campbell County School District.
The district recognized Mason, who resigned from the board of education, for his years of service on Dec. 16.
In 1975, Mason began his career in Campbell County Schools as an art teacher at Grant’s Lick Elementary School. He also served as a District 5 representative on the board of education for 11 years before losing his re-election bid in November 2016. He was then appointed to the board in 2017 to fill an unexpired term and has remained in that position until his resignation this year.
The district awarded Mason the Amethyst Award, which Campbell County Schools Superintendent Shelli Wilson said was the highest award the district gives.
“How do you know when it’s time to move on?” Mason said. “I decided to quit worrying about whether I had done everything possible and instead, ask myself if I’d done enough. I think I have. Remember this. I’ll always be a camel.”
Mason was also given a gold lifetime pass to all athletic and academic events, which Wilson said had never been awarded. The board members also donated to the Grant’s Lick art department in Mason’s honor.
“I won’t be the only one to reiterate it, but how much Mr. Mason has met to this district, and like I told you before, embody what it means to be a school board member and doing it always being true to yourself and speaking the truth, even when that truth is difficult,” Campbell County Board of Education Member Tyler Owen said. “Treating each and every person you interact with with the utmost respect. That is a very tough line to walk, and you have done it wonderfully, and you’ve done it with the best intentions of every student and employee in this district.”
Phil Griffin will replace Mason as the District 5 representative. Griffin ran unopposed in the 2024 general election.