Salem School Board authorizes engagement letters for federally funded staff amid funding delay uncertainty

The Salem School Board on April 15 authorized staff to tender engagement letters to 14 named FY26 federally funded professional staff, concluding a weeks‑long discussion about how to protect current employees if federal reimbursements arrive after July 1.

Superintendent Mara Palmer told the board the district may not receive federal funds before July 1 and presented a two‑sided packet that lists federally funded positions (the majority IDEA special‑education staff, one Title II position and one Perkins position) and proposed budget items that could be deferred if necessary. "We find ourselves in this year with the potential of not receiving funding until after July 1," Palmer said.

Board members questioned whether any positions were vacant and whether the district should reserve money for vacancies. Attorney Bernard Campbell, who moved the authorization, and others said two of the federally funded positions are…