Candidates divided on proposed debt‑exclusion for new Salem High School; questions raised about cost and contingency planning

A potential debt‑exclusion override to fund a new Salem High School drew sharply different reactions from the two Ward 1 candidates at the forum.

One candidate told attendees she supports using a temporary tax override to fund a new high school, arguing the current building’s maintenance and energy costs make a replacement fiscally sound. Forum remarks included the assertion that the existing high school “costs us a lot of money to maintain” and that the city pays roughly $800,000 a year for its energy bills; the candidate said a new facility would qualify for reimbursement from the Mass. School Building Authority (MSBA) for roughly half of the project’s cost. The candidate framed the project as an investment in education and long‑term savings on repair and energy costs.

The other candidate said she has attended meetings, asked city leaders detailed questions about academic programming and contingency planning, and remains concerned about cost overruns and the effect on taxpayers. At the forum she asked city leaders “what contingency plan do you have in place?” and noted that construction projects often run over budget. She warned the temporary tax could be long in duration — noting that a 20‑year “temporary” levy could remain a burden for older residents and those on fixed incomes.

Both candidates emphasized the project will affect the whole community and said they want transparency on the total cost, programmatic benefits and plans for handling overruns. Neither candidate provided new financing terms or a final project agreement at the forum; candidates said questions remain and further public briefings are expected as the school‑building process proceeds.