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Salem School Board authorizes engagement letters for FY26 federally funded staff amid funding uncertainty
Summary
The Salem School Board voted unanimously to allow staff to tender engagement letters to 14 federally funded professional positions for FY26 while discussing contingency spending and timing as federal funds may arrive after July 1.
The Salem School Board on April 15 authorized district staff to tender engagement letters to 14 named FY26 federally funded professional positions, a step trustees said aims to keep current employees and prospective hires engaged while the district waits to learn whether federal funds will arrive before the start of the fiscal year.
Superintendent Mara Palmer told the board “we find ourselves in this year with the potential of not receiving funding until after July 1.” The board’s action gives staff authority to send engagement letters but did not change the district’s budget; trustees discussed deferring nonessential expenditures if funding is delayed.
The action followed a staff presentation describing the federally funded positions and a proposed list of purchases the district could defer to preserve cash. Debbie Payne, assistant superintendent for business operations, said the list in the board packet identifies items the district would recommend delaying; examples mentioned in the meeting included landscaping, certain facilities work and a portion of an intercom upgrade.
Board Vice Chair Bernard Campbell moved the authorization. Campbell said: “Madam chairman, I will move the Salem School Board authorize the staff to tender engagement letters to the 13 named individuals on this list of FY 26 federally funded professional staff.” Board members then confirmed the list counted 14 named individuals and the motion proceeded. The motion was seconded by Michael Carney and approved by voice/hand vote, recorded as 5–0 in favor.
Trustees and staff emphasized the board was trying to balance two risks: losing current employees if the district cannot demonstrate an intent to employ them, and overcommitting resources before federal funds are received. Campbell suggested that the district need not reserve funds for two positions that are currently vacant; staff noted the majority of federally funded positions are IDEA special-education staff, with one Title II-funded position and one Perkins-funded position also listed.
Several trustees pressed staff to look for additional near-term budget deferrals to increase the unreserved fund balance if needed. Board Secretary Kelly Moss asked whether deferred projects — for example, summer facility work or the phone/intercom upgrade — would simply be delayed into a later summer; staff replied that timing could push projects into the following year depending on when funds arrive.
The board’s motion authorizes the district to issue engagement letters. It does not obligate the district to complete hires or to expend funds until federal grant payments are received and the board or staff take further action.
The board also voted to enter a nonpublic session later in the meeting under RSA 91-A:3 II(a) for matters related to compensation and employee evaluation.
