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After a 33 year career with the Rutherford County Schools, Superintendent Dr. Janet Mason, was named the Town Manager for Forest City during the council's regular board meeting Monday night.
In the same meeting room, at the Cool Springs Administrative Office building, where she oversees the school board meetings, Mason accepted her new post as Forest City's town manager.
The board voted unanimously to hire Mason. Her starting date with Forest City was expected to be confirmed following a special called meeting of the Board of Education on Tuesday night.
Town Manager John Condrey retires June 30 after seven years as Forest City's manager. His retirement marks more than 40 years at the helm of county, town and city government.
The news of Mason's departure from the Rutherford County Schools came as a "surprise" to many across the county and educators in the school system.
Standing before the Town Council, Mason sent an email to all the employees of the school district telling of her decision.
Mason began her job as a math teacher for the schools and in 2010 was named superintendent. She held other positions with the schools prior to becoming superintendent, including being principal of East Rutherford High School. She was named the 2018 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year.
Mason told the board she would, "Do my very best to be the type of town manager Forest City needs and one the town would expect."
"I have not worked in municipal government, but leadership transcends arenas...I have things to learn," she said.
"This is my hometown, but the folks who work for the town of Forest City are a wonderful team, and I'm leaving behind an equally wonderful team," she said.
Mayor Steve Holland told the audience the process of finding a new town manager had been a long one and many qualified people had applied.
The board gave Mason their blessings and support.
Town Commissioner Shawn Moore also told Mason she has "big shoes" to fill with the retirement of Condrey.
"Dr. Mason comes to us with an impressive background," Holland said. He said she has demonstrated her leadership strengths as the leader of the Rutherford County Schools and has expressed her love for the community and her hometown of Forest City.
