Dave Mason has a unique connection to his role as Activities Director for Davis County Independent School District in rural Iowa. Born and raised in Davis County, Mason graduated from the same high school he now serves. After more than a decade spent as a special education teacher and basketball coach, he took on the activities director role, bringing with him a passion for student success and deep-rooted ties to the community. Mason is grounded in a philosophy that aims to foster hard work and teamwork through inclusivity, innovation, and community engagement.
“I challenge kids sometimes, and even coaches, to try to outwork me,” Mason says. “You know, I’d love it if some kid outworks me, because I feel like I do work hard and you have to at this job or you’ll never make it. That’s what I’m doing for our coaches and our activities, working hard, being present. And I can’t be everywhere, but I try.”
Managing a Broad Range of Activities
As the middle school girls’ basketball coach and activities director for both the middle and high schools, Mason oversees a wide variety of extracurricular programs. His responsibility spans from athletics to arts, including football, band, color guard, and FFA, which he notes is a vital part of life in rural Iowa.
“Some days I feel like I live at the school,” Mason admits, “And some days I don’t know how I get it all done. But I have a great secretary, like outstanding. She will help a lot. The key, to me, is hire good coaches that run their own program. You don’t have to micromanage it.”
Mason’s day-to-day interactions with coaches are often face-to-face, especially since most coaches are also teachers within the school. The constant communication fosters an environment where coaches and directors align on program expectations and ensure smooth operations.
Addressing the Needs of a Rural Community
Davis County ISD serves a unique rural population, with Bloomfield as the district’s hub, it’s surrounded by smaller towns and a significant Amish community. While this setup presents logistical challenges, such as transportation for extracurriculars, Mason notes that community support helps bridge these gaps. The district’s self-owned transportation department provides activity buses for students, ensuring accessibility to after-school programs—a critical factor in keeping students involved and fostering inclusivity in school activities.
“We hire hire locals,” Mason says. “Former teachers, just retired individuals that want to help out the community. Right now we do not have a shortage and we haven’t asked the coaches to drive yet. So, knock on wood, we are one of the top transportation places in the state.”
Transportation is just one example of how Davis County ISD has adapted to its community’s needs. The school also maintains its own fleet of buses, a rare setup that has allowed the district to avoid the driver shortages plaguing many school systems. This autonomy, Mason believes, has been crucial in supporting the district’s extracurricular programs.
“One thing that has helped, I think, is we have our own janitorial staff,” Mason explains. “We house that within our district too. So if you want to work janitorial, well guess what, you gotta get your CDL. So now you have bus drivers available. Yeah, we’re smart down here in Southern Iowa. We’ve got it figured out.”
Embracing Technology with TinyMobileRobots
One of Mason’s most recent initiatives involves integrating technology into his athletics field responsibilities with TinyMobileRobots. After discovering this innovative tool through an on-site demonstration, Mason saw the potential benefits it could bring to his department, from reducing the workload for field maintenance to saving on materials like paint. The district ultimately funded the purchase and the robot now helps mark fields for various sports, cutting down field setup time from 5-6 hours to 90 minutes. For a district balancing a tight budget with high demands, this technology is a game-changer in efficiency and cost savings.
“I can do this during the day now,” says Mason. “If there’s nothing going on, it doesn’t take anything to go set the robot up. I can come back in here and get work done. The Ipad will beep at me. All it needs is to go out and get paint or something. We’re right across the street, so it’s a piece of cake.”
Fostering a Strong Student Connection
Mason’s role goes beyond logistical management; it’s about building meaningful relationships with his students. He makes it a point to engage with them regularly, whether in the hallways or during lunch. His commitment to being a visible presence in students’ lives pays dividends in creating a supportive school culture. One standout example involves Mason singing in a school choir event—a memory that will persist with him and his students for a lifetime.
“She was in a show choir event and asked me to sing a duet with her,” Mason says. “In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d be on stage singing with a high school student. But I did it for 2 years for this girl because she was so beneficial to our activities program, running the scoreboard. Even if I break the windows, I’m still gonna do it because she she meant a lot to us.”
Mason on Modern Athletics Leadership
With responsibilities spanning numerous programs and events, Mason acknowledges the challenges inherent in his role. Juggling schedules for multiple activities, managing communication among coaches, and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive can be daunting. However, he approaches each challenge with a positive attitude, emphasizing the importance of doing what’s best for students. Mason notes that balancing these needs sometimes requires hard choices, particularly in prioritizing the well-being of students over anything else.
“You’re not gonna keep everyone happy,” Mason says. “You’re trying to do what’s best for kids. Grandparents may not like it. Parents may not like what your decision is. Coaches may not like what your decision is, but all in all, it’s doing what’s best for kids.”
Mason’s Vision for Community-Driven Athletics
Mason’s vision for Davis County ISD’s extracurricular programs is one of inclusivity, growth, and community involvement. From organizing the annual Athletic Club golf tournament to building a culture of dedication among staff and students, his efforts are steering Davis County’s athletics program toward success and excellence. His belief in hiring responsible coaches and supporting students to achieve their best has made a lasting impact on the district.
“Our school motto is, ‘one school, one community,'” Mason says “Do the best that you can, be the best you can be, and that’s that’s kind of what we live by.”
With his leadership, Mason successfully nurtures an environment where students, staff, and the families work in harmony. His example sets a high standard for activities directors, illustrating the profound impact they can have on a community.
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