Candidates broadly support a new Salem high school, citing state reimbursement as cost-saving

Candidates at the Ward 1 and Ward 5 forum generally expressed support for building a new Salem High School and for the city to approve the necessary bond order and a debt‑exclusion ballot question.

Why it matters: The project would be a large capital investment with long-term debt implications; candidates said state reimbursement could cover roughly half the cost if the city proceeds now, making a new building less expensive than renovating the old facility.

Multiple candidates said the new-building option would be cheaper for Salem taxpayers than renovating the existing school. Ward 5 candidate Lydia King and Ward 1 candidate Aaron Taraske summarized the cost comparison discussed at the forum: renovating the current building would cost about $350 million to the city versus a larger total project cost of roughly $450 million with state reimbursement covering about half, making the net city share lower for new construction. Candidates also cited operational savings: a new, energy-efficient building would reduce municipal energy use and greenhouse-gas emissions compared with the older facility.

Candidates who supported the project said they would vote for a bond order and for placing a debt‑exclusion question on the ballot, and they committed to explaining the fiscal implications to voters. At the forum, candidates said they would communicate the cost comparison plainly: either the city pays the full renovation cost or it takes advantage of state reimbursement to lower local expense.

Not all candidates committed immediately. One candidate said they wanted to review detailed scope and cost estimates from the mayor before a final vote. No council action was taken at the forum; candidates said the mayor will present a formal proposal to council in coming weeks and that voters would decide debt exclusion at the ballot.