Salem-Keizer board authorizes two property sales, adopts 'Commitment to Students' resolution and approves budget transfers

The Salem-Keizer School District Board of Directors voted Oct. 14 to authorize sale of the former Centennial School property, approve sale of a small parcel adjacent to Chavez Elementary, adopt a districtwide “Commitment to Students” resolution and approve supplemental budget transfers for fiscal 2025–26.

Board Chair Cynthia Richardson called the votes after public discussion and staff briefings. The motion to authorize sale of 7990 Wheatland Road North (Centennial School) was moved by Director Satya Chandragiri and seconded by Director Lisa Harnish; the board approved the motion unanimously. The board also approved sale of the parcel adjacent to Chavez Elementary after a motion by Chandragiri and a second; staff said the site is small, contains wetlands and is zoned urban transition, and could be subject to rezoning by the city.

The board adopted Resolution No. 2202526-O2, labeled in the meeting as a “Commitment to Students” resolution and presented as a revised form of a previously discussed equity/anti-racism measure. Director Satya Chandragiri moved the resolution; Director Jennifer Parker seconded. The motion carried. Director Ortiz announced she would vote no and explained her opposition was not a rejection of the resolution’s intent but a matter of principle: “I will be voting no on the revised resolution, formerly the Equity and Anti racism Resolution,” she said, adding she wanted the board’s actions to explicitly name past and present impacts of racism and white supremacy.

The board also adopted Resolution No. 202526-O3 to authorize budgetary transfers of appropriations for fiscal year 2025–26. Superintendent Alejandro Castaneda described the supplemental budget as “fairly routine” and tied to several changes, including an increase in the State School Fund after the district’s adopted budget, ratification of a licensed collective bargaining agreement and capital transfers tied to planned facility purchases and behavioral-health related projects. Director Ortiz moved the supplemental budget transfer resolution; Director Harnish seconded. Director Chrissy Hudson announced she would vote no, citing concerns about an anticipated $25,000,000 deficit and a desire to prioritize direct student spending: “I will be voting no against this particular topic… given that we’re looking at a $25,000,000 deficit, around the corner,” she said. The motion passed with one opposed vote.

The board completed its appointment process for two community members to the 14-member budget committee. After ranked roll-call voting, the board selected Jim Vu and Ayla Thode to fill two community seats. The board noted state rule requires one budget committee seat be reserved for a member of the District Equity Advisory Committee; the board said it received no applications from that committee and will fill the reserved seat at a future meeting.

The board approved the consent calendar items later in the meeting without additional debate.

Votes at a glance - Authorization to sell 7990 Wheatland Road N (Centennial School): Moved by Director Satya Chandragiri; seconded by Director Lisa Harnish; outcome: approved (unanimous). Referenced in meeting record beginning at the agenda item introduction and concluding with the board’s vote. - Authorization to sell land adjacent to Chavez Elementary (Marion County map Tax Lot 072W17C000200): Moved by Director Satya Chandragiri; seconded (recorded as Veil); outcome: approved (unanimous). Staff noted wetlands on site and urban transition zoning; rezoning would be a city process and subject to public comment. - Resolution No. 2202526-O2, “Commitment to Students” (revised equity/anti-racism resolution): Moved by Director Satya Chandragiri; seconded by Director Jennifer Parker; outcome: approved (majority). Director Ortiz recorded a no vote and provided extended comment explaining she opposed removal of explicit language naming white supremacy and racism. - Resolution No. 202526-O3, authorizing budgetary transfers for FY 2025–26: Moved by Director Ortiz; seconded by Director Lisa Harnish; outcome: approved (majority; 1 opposed — Director Chrissy Hudson). - Budget committee community appointments: Jim Vu and Ayla Thode appointed after ranked roll-call voting conducted by the board secretary.

Context and implications The property sales clear the way for the district to market two holdings that staff and board said are either unused or better repurposed through sale. The supplemental budget motion adjusts appropriations after the district’s adopted budget to account for state revenue changes, ratified labor agreements and capital transfers; board members debated fiscal priorities as the district anticipates multi‑million dollar structural pressures.

Board members on both sides emphasized the importance of the district’s commitment to student-centered policy. Director Ortiz made a formal statement explaining her no vote on the resolution was intended to insist the board name historic and systemic causes of inequity, while other members framed the approved resolution as a reaffirmation of district values.

What’s next - Staff will proceed with steps to list and sell the two properties per board authorization; any city rezoning or land-use review for the Chavez-adjacent parcel would require a public process. - The district will post the finalized supplemental budget documentation and continue budget committee work; the board plans to fill the reserved equity-advisory seat on the budget committee at a future meeting.

Ending note Board actions concluded after routine consent-calendar approval and committee appointment votes. The meeting included a sequence of reports and public comments before and after the formal actions.