Votes at a glance: superintendent contract, curriculum adoptions, WESD reappointment and teacher appreciation proclamation

The Salem-Keizer SD 24J Board of Directors recorded several formal actions at its May 13 meeting. Key votes and outcomes listed on the public record are below.

1) Superintendent employment contract (2025–2028) - Motion: Approve employment contract for superintendent from 2025 to 2028 as presented. - Mover/Second: Motion moved by Director Sadi; seconded by Director Maria (as recorded in the meeting transcript). - Outcome: Approved - Vote (recorded): Yes 6, No 1 - Notes: Superintendent Castaneda spoke afterward and said she would continue a personal donation ($15,000 per year) directed to students, families and programs for the duration of the contract.

2) Curriculum adoptions (action items 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E) - Motion: Approve and implement elementary and middle school science, middle and high school world languages, and high school social science curriculum as presented. - Outcome: Approved - Vote (recorded): Yes 6, No 1 - Notes: Staff described multi-month adoption work, teacher pilots, an August training institute and ongoing walkthroughs and surveys to monitor implementation.

3) Reappointment to WESD board (Larry Trott, Zone 5) - Motion: Approve reappointment of Larry Trott as the Zone 5 representative to the Willamette Education Service District (WESD) board of directors. - Outcome: Approved (unanimous) - Notes: The board packet included Trott’s reappointment materials; the vote was recorded as unanimous.

4) Teacher Appreciation Week proclamation - Motion: Approve a proclamation recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week (proclamation pulled from the consent calendar for separate recognition). - Outcome: Approved (voice vote in favor) - Notes: Board members and union representatives spoke in gratitude to teachers; the proclamation was discussed separately from the consent calendar to allow board remarks.

Meeting procedure

All votes were taken during the board’s action and consent sections as recorded in the public meeting transcript. Where vote tallies were read aloud by the chair, the meeting record indicates one opposed vote for two of the items and unanimous approval for the WESD reappointment and the teacher appreciation proclamation.

Why it matters

These votes secure district leadership for the next three years, set instructional materials in multiple grade bands for implementation, keep a regional education service district representative in place and formally recognize teachers. Financial details for the superintendent contract and the specific costs of purchased curricular materials were not specified in the public discussion recorded at the meeting.