By James Massara
CCN News Director

CRESTLINE — After officially making the hire in June, the Crestline Exempted Village Schools Board of Education publicly welcomed the district’s new high school principal.

Jamie Masi was hired after the departure of Keith Strickler.

Masi, a Mansfield native and graduate of Mansfield Senior High School, comes to Crestline from Madison Comprehensive High School in Mansfield. Masi has 21 years experience in education.

For the first 17 years of Masi’s career, he worked as a math teacher at various schools. He then took on administrative responsibilities and spent four of the eight years spent at Madison as the attendance officer, while continuing his role as a teacher.

“I think it begins with building relationships with the students and staff and families of the community,” Masi said. “And then, from there, finding out what the priorities are.”

Crestline Superintendent Noreen Mullens said a few key factors made Masi the ideal candidate for Crestline.

“One is he’s already from the area, which makes a big difference,” Mullens said. “Someone doesn’t have to move into an environment they are not familiar with.”

Mullens said the second factor was Masi’s experience with House Bill 410’s attendance rules. She said that he did not have an administrative title, but was still performing administrative duties.

The final attributes credited to Masi by Mullens were his organization skills and attention to details.

“Those are qualities were always try to look for,” she said.

Masi said a large part of what drew him to Crestline was the high regards many people close to the community had for the district.

“I spoke with a few people in the area, a few people that currently are administrators at Galion, Matt Wade the athletic director (at Crestline) and did some homework and research on my own,” Masi said. “After find out more about the district, it seemed attractive and like a place where I could grow as an administrator.”

Masi said one of his biggest goals in his new position is to close the gap in terms of student achievement and to help his new students find ways to best help them be successful.

“I think my years of experience in the classroom will really help in that aspect,” Masi said. “In the meantime, I just can’t wait for the start of the school year.”

Masi’s first official day is Aug. 1.