Board adds Woodbury curriculum review and parent‑engagement goals to district priorities

The Salem School Board on June 17 revised and expanded its noncapital goals for 2025–26 to include a targeted analysis of curriculum and student outcomes at Woodbury School and a new goal to strengthen parent engagement across the district.

The curriculum goal was proposed by Vice Chair Bernard Campbell after board discussion that Woodbury’s state‑assessment results have lagged earlier grades over multiple years. Campbell read a drafted goal asking the district to “conduct a rigorous and in‑depth analysis of the curriculum, instructional methods, student support services, and resulting student outcomes at Woodbury School” and to consider retaining external consultants or educational organizations for an objective third‑party review.

Superintendent Mara Palmer said administration would do due diligence in selecting any outside consultant and that she supports the effort. The board agreed to add the Woodbury review as a noncapital goal (the board’s numbering will result in five noncapital goals). Board members said the review could examine whether instructional practices, leadership time, or other factors explain the performance gap seen in state assessments.

Separately, board member Michael Carney and others urged adding a goal focused on family engagement. Kelly Moss said parent engagement work is part of the district’s strategic plan but supported adding the explicit noncapital goal directing administration to develop strategies for meaningful family engagement, seek regular parent feedback, and develop parent education programming. The board agreed to add that as the sixth noncapital goal.

Provenance: Board discussion and agreement to add the Woodbury curriculum review and a parent engagement goal occurred during the board goals section of the June 17 meeting; administration will compile language and return a consolidated document for final adoption in July.