[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6528413,"mediaKeyId","3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2","parentId",3402775,"title","Salem School Committee hears special education update; DESE finds district “meets requirements”","audioSeconds",1182,"startMs",2179000,"endMs",3361000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2&start=2179&end=3361","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2/thumbnail_2179000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528413/Massachusetts/Salem-School-Committee-hears-special-education-update-DESE-finds-district-meets-requirements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528413-5be7072da3d52f01d21feae345df9d51/orig.mp4?Expires=1770567465&Signature=iY5Ec4XcCRfBxJ6G11PnS4BsSBE5MOcDMs8s~uZCHCNCTGtX9Nxah0hogrBQgqeg~jyBzBBrrnF30jhakTwBgBiEUznN5cmxnRaR5O7ts2QqzR~oKUeAH4YlfIEo82adBE1fuTd~SePD-BwP8Dp-fjD0ZETrrv63XBHGO4Ir2Z8omtjhOkzKS2KtDTxTWE126rIJHxSBr~S5QvPqdiHPs1~~62bjUHE7KaJUyPGhWk1T8QBnhNBEBUPshhVlPSzgEfCCNvWTV5GBEaRqRSTVnMPpug-6jD7GXTWuILVkUQlYUHQh6wSFxxzEseG9NbkwE0lVCloTJNPelE8G4adQKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Salem Public Schools, MA","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","Salem — The Salem School Committee on May 19 received a wide‑ranging update on special education from Jen DuSettley, the district’s executive director of special education, who said the district now serves about 1,100 students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

DuSettley told the committee that roughly 72 percent of students with IEPs receive the majority of their education in inclusion or partial inclusion settings, about 7 percent attend out‑of‑district placements and roughly 20 percent are served in substantially separate settings. “We have about 1,100 students with an IEP this year,” she said.

The update included the district’s most recent federal IDEA determination from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). DuSettley said Salem was one of only three districts in the Mass Urban Districts group to receive a “meets requirements” determination. “We were one of only three of those districts that met requirements,” she said, attributing the result to district providers and staff.

Why it matters: The DESE determination aggregates compliance, outcomes and reporting measures used to evaluate special education services; a “meets requirements” finding signals the state’s review did not identify systemic noncompliance requiring corrective action.

Key data and initiatives described by DuSettley:
- Identification and placement: about 16–17 percent of students are identified under the autism category, with a statewide trend toward increased autism diagnoses; the largest single category remains specific learning disability at about 22 percent.
- Instructional placement: roughly 72 percent in inclusion/partial inclusion; about 7 percent out of district; about 20 percent in substantially separate settings.
- Student outcomes: DESE highlighted fourth‑grade math performance for students with disabilities as a strength; eighth‑grade math and one‑year post‑school outcomes were cited as areas for growth. DuSettley said the district is attempting to improve post‑school outcome reporting by contacting families at senior IEP meetings and following up during the summer.
- Workforce and pipeline: the district piloted an “aspiring educators” pathway for special education licenses; 11 staff participated, with two already licensed and two completing modules toward licensure.
- Professional development and partnerships: the district continued a Landmark Scholars partnership for teacher study in reading and inclusion instruction, launched asynchronous special education modules for staff, expanded unified sports and increased bilingual evaluation capacity through a vendor called Lilypad (evaluations available in 39 languages).

Committee discussion focused on inclusion and outcomes. Member Cruz urged continued outreach and culturally responsive engagement with Latino families, calling for more diverse parent participation in special education advisory efforts. Superintendent Dr. Zreich and committee members emphasized the district’s intent to increase inclusion opportunities and teacher coaching while acknowledging resource and training constraints.

The presentation closed with DuSettley outlining next‑year priorities including formalizing the aspiring educator pipeline, expanding inclusion supports and updating curriculum and discrete trial instructional materials for students with more significant needs.

The committee did not take a vote on these items but thanked DuSettley and staff for the report and recommended continued focus on family engagement and inclusive instruction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Salem School Committee Meeting - May 19th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Jen DuSettley, the district’s executive director of special education, reported to the Salem School Committee that about 1,100 students have IEPs and that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education found the district “meets requirements.”","taxTitle","Salem Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71121,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528394,"Votes at a glance: Salem School Committee, May 19, 2025",4973,48000,5021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2&start=48&end=5021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2/thumbnail_48000.jpg","/articles/6528394/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Salem-School-Committee-May-19-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528394-7d750a73d2942fc619852e6033a6532d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770566765&Signature=k6HRydXrFkHfpecnK1Vg8z2U73iPBU4WiuiaJibKAR0OEZIZElM6LFykDw4c3giPReZC5IfnS6z7L3thMCivtfnnFlkJzrUzPPL6jWPZrAzVsCfbFQ4PzXJmoyeSYg8gzqnyoDgBjdt8vpB6bCQ~JuVIu6DMUsAxHdYa5jxTSqHXfKDPVER-gK1BuGywolVkb~3EIUBs8RI82U9TmSw~o66GfdN06w4xXgXjeYdcTxvBIzF1bmz5Hz4RgIjr4Wqn3nyvyg9GlOEnsiJwA6M7D12G289Vz1H-sv8wpB9kGGrBT9WOaZh-yCbY3VoHKA-2zWo37At59LsG2a2McXy74A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Salem — The Salem School Committee made the following recorded motions and roll‑call votes at its May 19 meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of the meeting agenda: Motion by Member Cornell, second by Member Campbell. Roll‑call vote: Cornell yes; Campbell yes; Cruz yes; Miranda yes; Chair yes. Outcome: approved.

- Approval of consent agenda (minutes of May 5, a field trip to Canopy Lake Park for Liberty Innovation students on June 16, and warrants for May 8 and May 15): Motion by Member Cornell, second by Member Campbell. Roll‑call vote: Cornell yes; Campbell yes; Cruz yes; Miranda yes; Chair yes. Outcome: approved.

- Bentley Innovation Plan: Motion by Member Manny Cruz to approve the Bentley Innovation Plan and strike the section allowing retention of unspent funds; second by Member Cornell. Roll‑call vote: Cruz yes; Miranda yes; Campbell yes; Cornell yes; Chair yes. Outcome: approved (carryover language removed).

- Budget transfer to cover temporary Bentley behavior specialist (transfer of $8,000 from contracted services to personnel line): Motion by Member Campbell, second by Member Cornell. Roll‑call vote: Miranda yes; Campbell yes; Cornell yes; Cruz yes; Chair yes. Outcome: approved. Notes: The transfer covered a temporary hire to cover parental leave at Bentley; committee practice brings transfers that move funds into personnel lines to the committee even when under threshold.

- First reading and approval of policies 3204 (lease and rental of school facilities) and 6402 (meeting cadence): Motion by Member Cornell, second by Member Campbell. Roll‑call vote: Campbell yes; Cornell yes; Cruz yes; Miranda yes; Chair yes. Outcome: first reading approved.

Procedural notes: Several votes were taken by roll call because some members were participating remotely. The committee adjourned following the recorded votes.","The committee recorded roll‑call votes on the agenda, consent items, the Bentley Innovation Plan (with carryover language removed), a budget transfer of $8,000 for a Bentley staffing need, and first readings of two policies on facility rentals and meeting cadence.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528398,"Building committee selects new‑construction option for Salem High School; timeline and cost remain central concerns",966,3390000,4356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2&start=3390&end=4356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2/thumbnail_3390000.jpg","/articles/6528398/Massachusetts/Building-committee-selects-newconstruction-option-for-Salem-High-School-timeline-and-cost-remain-central-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528398-8df18784c3185539ed55a853c0501e11/orig.mp4?Expires=1770566728&Signature=HH7a3ZaaGz3qufO9BOtei6Q~B1vojEYSLGksrwiBRvkspaXPS~L4m9r-hqi5Onfdc8lUW6quqRYPEucfRE-aTGETunTkFbg76ue4QkYyJV2cNJm53cyjlS8Kh6yUuBoc5AfyqUUnxVLOodLGftuXJPAgmyjkUFeuaVH7juJy4hoTeTc9mE1ApSnfPjzxnlmZ5R9TAdHhZcYfE-KCWBbHLhvmJcUcRJ9J41RD5~GCDmxvEyAMebrQSQR~2UPtsmhU~wbNMwDL3imiqHioZcnVC0GcLb3CQVZfkr-AwnntcUibgBLMDBQa99~3JDAwBd8H0Idml0i0lmwfrjahot6pIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Salem — Members of the Salem School Committee received an update May 19 on the high school building process after the building committee unanimously approved a new‑construction option intended to minimize disruption and shorten the construction timeline.

Member Cornell, who reported to the committee, said the chosen option restricts the timeline to about 30 months and places the new building closer to Highland Avenue so construction can proceed while students occupy the existing high school. Cornell said the plan moves some campus buildings — including an automotive center — to make room and aims to deliver regulation athletic fields, three parallel indoor courts, separate space for wrestling and cheer, an overhead track and an upgraded music and performance area.

Why it matters: The project is a major capital undertaking for the city with long‑term implications for student experience, athletics and career‑technical education. Committee members emphasized the need for continued public review of design details before final approval.

Key points from the update:
- Capacity and timeline: the design assumes a building sized for roughly 1,000 students; committee members noted enrollment has increased and urged MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) projections and contingency planning.
- Athletics and arts: the design would add regulation outdoor athletic fields, updated tennis courts with a pickleball overlay and a larger, more flexible fieldhouse with multiple courts and a performance‑oriented music space.
- Cost and funding: planners noted MSBA reimbursement covers only a portion of per‑square‑foot costs; the town will likely face a debt‑exclusion ballot question next spring to fund the local share. Committee members said they prioritized options that reduced projected cost while meeting instructional goals.
- Public input: the committee announced a public session on Tuesday, June 3 at the Community Life Center and a June 11 session specifically for Salem High School teachers to provide design input.

Committee members urged parents and staff to review designs and submit feedback before design freeze in the fall. Officials said some interior design choices remain open but larger configuration decisions will be fixed as the project advances.","The school building committee voted to pursue a new‑construction option for Salem High School with an approximate 30‑month timeline. Committee members highlighted improved athletics, music and CTE spaces, raised capacity questions and warned a debt‑exclusion vote may be required.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528403,"Salem Education Foundation awards more than $26,500 to teacher grants; students present Young Archaeologist project",541,957000,1498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2&start=957&end=1498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2/thumbnail_957000.jpg","/articles/6528403/Massachusetts/Salem-Education-Foundation-awards-more-than-26500-to-teacher-grants-students-present-Young-Archaeologist-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528403-30480a65e66992899058dfe78f64a81a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770566516&Signature=ex-GhhoAYwkm0rJf7wOxWI8i3I8-EpVrWYxkWtKoTqiRE-OnS9m1DmcPMmQXhnCok06UHoY2ZoESzSBZHCbjpSNf4z7BTKf~AEdx4JapaaySwQBflGpPLGtKMppOs60hRBszjLLWbzXQ3sWWmBHVghfk0lKqazaxLDSKKB6MUDl5mrv9FjpWJsk6BKlv0FWSugqEQECmQSKD0F2UfYCVP1xGoZ632eoetiW9vKXSCo5P20Q64lYDjV4HfAVwuknrrLr3lmcAkabXthTC5kbHkz-pEgyIFjawrXx3sSUhDt5V8y~8tcgtbij~G6AJbFT40FAF6f7ONuOtJAnf0Wyygw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Salem — The Salem Education Foundation told the School Committee on May 19 that it awarded 21 teacher‑driven grants this year totaling $26,530.80, and brought students to the meeting to present one of the funded projects.

Steve Bopelant, vice president in charge of grants for the foundation, said the organization raised funds through events including its annual raffle and returned $26,530.80 to classrooms in projects that ranged from math and music to social‑emotional learning. “This money is in turn given back to the students of Salem in the form of teacher driven grants,” Bopelant said.

One recipient, Linda Gutierrez, presented the Young Archaeologist Apprenticeship, a sixth‑grade project that took students to the Ipswich Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Three sixth‑grade students described how the trips helped them visualize Stone Age tools, Egyptian artifacts and other curriculum connections.

Why it matters: Small, teacher‑driven grants are used to create learning experiences outside the standard district budget, and the foundation said it runs both spring and fall cycles so funds are available at the start of the school year.

Committee members thanked the foundation and the students for demonstrating the grants in action. Member Cruz noted that many students had not previously visited the Museum of Fine Arts or Ipswich Museum and said such trips expand access to cultural institutions.

The foundation announced its spring cycle for next year opens immediately and closes July 1; interested teachers were directed to salemeducationfoundation.org for application details.","The Salem Education Foundation reported funding 21 teacher grants totaling $26,530.80 in the last cycle and showcased a sixth‑grade project, the Young Archaeologist Apprenticeship, funded by the Nelson L. Dion Jr. grant.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528408,"Salem School Committee approves Bentley Innovation Plan, removes provision to retain unspent funds",3079,1765000,4844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2&start=1765&end=4844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3402775-fd7cab185fb8beb362ae7e78a4f89ba2/thumbnail_1765000.jpg","/articles/6528408/Massachusetts/Salem-School-Committee-approves-Bentley-Innovation-Plan-removes-provision-to-retain-unspent-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528408-f24953bc09eb5c43e491ccd7ed352a67/orig.mp4?Expires=1770566547&Signature=H2W-Z1AnMtxBfWuqmszPstdKAagxNcUZbNXGUba87V7vc162fPgPtetuO6dhV58IgnDxUD784JspswyjXA~uMwQf9CwJ-14cJ5VpUkaPQxBP3yS5mZdI7MPXNFERMrq9sG-5fQdgvesZFRLH~roHDoEMXnnOQHovZtNFTfzxDVOaUQHPXtj3~sW93f6ssDWoa8i2kthMdsukyUFMP0yW-i56DVtpYKXGo2w3imtKCP~2HiHvQuWa5Ts6ji0lXRY-Eer7xyy-2Ck91YybHTLyVZyyxCE4pu5uJJwhN15vU18Ghb9bAOR8mUozd7ZBP2sAaGCXkBh~uygU9rMObRhdvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Salem — The Salem School Committee voted unanimously May 19 to approve the Bentley Innovation Plan after removing a requested autonomy that would have allowed the school to retain unspent funds from one fiscal year to the next.

Member Manny Cruz moved to approve the plan with the specific change to “strike the section that notes that balances on the budget could carry over to future fiscal years.” The motion was seconded by Member Cornell and passed by roll call (Cruz, Miranda, Campbell, Cornell and the chair all voted yes).

Why it matters: Innovation plans can grant schools additional operational autonomies; the committee and district leadership said the modified plan keeps school‑level flexibility while preserving district budget policies and helping avoid unintended inequities between schools.

Discussion and changes: Committee members and district staff said they adjusted language in the plan to make clear that:
- Carryover of unspent district funds from one fiscal year to another is not permitted under city policy, so budget retention language was removed from the plan.
- Any changes to the length of the school day, schedule or calendar would be developed in consultation with the district, the teachers’ union and the school committee to avoid creating systemwide inequities.
- The innovation team would act in a site‑council role for advising the principal on working conditions rather than having unilateral authority.

Committee members said they were comfortable voting after a final review confirmed the carryover language had been removed from the version presented to the committee. The committee recorded the motion on the public record before the roll call vote.","The committee voted unanimously to approve the Bentley Innovation Plan on May 19 after striking language that would have allowed the school to carry over unspent funds between fiscal years. Members discussed autonomy, calendar alignment and budget safeguards.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Salem School Committee hears special education update; DESE finds district “meets requirements”

Votes at a glance: Salem School Committee, May 19, 2025

Building committee selects new‑construction option for Salem High School; timeline and cost remain central concerns

Salem Education Foundation awards more than $26,500 to teacher grants; students present Young Archaeologist project

Salem School Committee approves Bentley Innovation Plan, removes provision to retain unspent funds