Tuesday, December 21, 1999
Mason district loses treasurer
School system looking for temporary hire
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
MASON — Treasurer Cary Furniss, who was instrumental in the ambitious city-schools project to build a high school and recreation center, is leaving Mason Schools.
The district's director of business and finance made the announcement Monday. Just last week, he helped complete details on a $71.9 million bond issue for the project.
Mr. Furniss said he would leave Jan. 14 to become treasurer for the Upper Arlington district, near Columbus. He will formally submit a letter of resignation this week for action at the board's Jan. 3 meeting.
“I'll miss Southwest Ohio in some respects, but it's (Upper Arlington) only 25 minutes from my and my wife's family,” Mr. Furniss said Monday. “We're going home.”
Mr. Furniss has been treasurer of Mason Schools for nearly four years. Earlier this year, he was also named the district's director of finance and business.
Under his leadership, financial packages were put together and put on the ballot for construction of the intermediate school and the high school expansion.
“I think the world of Cary. He's done so much for us as business manager and treasurer,” said Russ Carter, presi dent of Mason's school board. “He's a very intelligent, very smart young man that we will miss greatly. This is a great opportunity for Cary. After the birth of his child, he realizes the importance of family and is moving closer to his.”
A job in Upper Arlington was one of just a few school treasurer positions in Ohio that could entice him to leave Mason, Mr. Furniss said.
“It's a great opportunity on a personal level and a professional level. Upper Arlington is a premier school system with instant recognition in Ohio,” Mr. Furniss said. “My wife and I have a good idea of how large the district will be and how it's structured when our son enters school. Here, those chapters are yet to be written.”
Mr. Carter said the board will begin looking for a retired treasurer to serve as interim treasurer.
In Upper Arlington, Mr. Furniss will earn $84,000 annually, slightly more than he earns in Mason. The district, just west of Ohio State Univer sity, has an enrollment of 5,611 compared with Mason's enrollment of 6,057.
Before coming to Mason, Mr. Furniss worked four years as treasurer of Lebanon City Schools and four years at Westfall Local Schools in Pickaway County.
He graduated from Wilmington College with a business degree and holds an associate degree in accounting from Bliss College.
He and his wife, Gerry, have a son, David, 11 months.
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