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Students, alumni and parents urge Salem School Committee to reverse decision removing longtime music teacher
Summary
Current and former Salem High students, alumni and parents told the Salem School Committee on June 17 that Cynthia Napierkowski’s removal after decades in the district will harm the music program and students’ wellbeing. Committee members heard multiple public comments but did not take immediate action on personnel decisions.
Annie Bednar, a public commenter, told the Salem School Committee on June 17 that the district informed the Salem High School music department that Cynthia Napierkowski, a teacher who held a 0.2 position, would not return next year because of budget cuts. "Missus Napierkowski has devoted 38 years to the children of the Salem Public School District and her impact will never be matched," Bednar said.
Why it matters: Commenters said Napierkowski’s work supports students beyond music instruction and that losing her will weaken a district program that alumni and staff say has produced strong academic and social outcomes. Multiple speakers tied the decision to recent budget actions and urged the committee to reconsider or to identify alternatives to preserve the program’s continuity.
Students, alumni and parents gave specific examples of Napierkowski’s role. Em Clark, speaking as a junior at Salem High School, said Napierkowski is often the first contact younger students have with the high school music program and that she connects Salem students to regional opportunities. "She's the face of a very community based music program that extends far beyond her position at Salem High," Clark said.
Alumni and former staff members echoed those points. A letter read by Alana Heenan on behalf of Mana Emoto Whitfield described Napierkowski as "the beating heart of the performing arts department" and credited her with helping high-risk students find stability and graduate. Julia Rebello, a 2023 graduate who read statements from classmates, called the decision a "disservice" to students and said forcing Napierkowski out without advance notice deprived students of time to process and say goodbye.
Current students also testified. Wind Stevick, who identified themself as a junior at Salem High School, told the committee that Napierkowski "maintains the passion to learn in at least 75 students this year alone" and called her work with music and related academic preparations a key support for students.
What the committee said: Committee members did not vote on personnel decisions in the public session. Superintendent Dr. Zreich (identified in the meeting) and other district staff heard the public comments; the meeting record shows no immediate reversal or formal directive from the school committee during the June 17 meeting.
Context and next steps: Commenters repeatedly requested that the district revisit the personnel decision, citing continuity, mentorship and the performing arts’ role in student retention. Several speakers asked for specific remedies (reassignment, restoring the 0.2 position, or alternate funding), but the committee left personnel matters to district administration. No formal motion to change staffing or budget allocations appeared in the meeting minutes for June 17.
Ending: The committee concluded the evening after other agenda items; the transcript records extensive public testimony on this subject but no school-committee vote on Napierkowski’s status during the session.
