The Mason School Board honored Ralph Beebe on Nov. 8 for 18 years of service.
Beebe, who resigned before the school year started, was joined by his wife and two sons. His tenure started back in 2003 where he would go on to serve as treasurer, president, and then back to treasurer.
“It was such an honor to be on the board. It’s still an honor,” Beebe said. “Couldn’t do it without the family. Being a board member’s kid is a challenge at times, but it’s been a great district. It will always be a great district. Very blessed and fortunate.”
Beebe resigned during the Aug. 23 meeting, just after the board voted 4-3 to require students and staff to wear masks inside school buildings and during the school day. School was scheduled to begin two days later. Beebe had led the opposition to the mandate. After the vote, he said, “Effective at the end of this meeting, I am resigning. I’m just done. The politics and this division in the community is ridiculous, and hopefully somebody can take my seat that can start healing this community.”
Superintendent Ronald Drzewicki presented the award before the Nov. 8 meeting. He emphasized Beebe’s dedication to serving the district and the community as a whole.
“Thank you, Ralph, for all his dedication to the district. Your business background really provided a lot of value and helped us kind of keep things in line,” Drzewicki said. “Ralph has always been a huge, and still is, a huge supporter of the Mason public school foundation. I’d like to thank you personally.”
The School Board voted to fill Beebe’s vacant spot on Sept. 20. Matthew Hall, one of 13 applicants, was chosen to fill Beebe’s spot, which expires in 2022. Steve Duane is the new treasurer.