Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Choice Budget Policies topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Salem School Committee approves school choice limits, budget transfers and policies
Summary
On May 5 the committee voted unanimously to accept the superintendent's school-choice recommendation with restrictions, approved two budget transfers and passed third readings of two district policies.
At its May 5 meeting the Salem School Committee voted to accept the superintendent's recommendation on the district's participation in the inter-district school-choice program, approved two budget transfers to cover year-end and professional development costs, and passed third readings of two district policies.
On school choice, Superintendent Scribe presented an annual memo and recommended the district reserve seats at New Liberty for Salem residents and not accept choice students into New Liberty. The superintendent also recommended excluding new school-choice placements in grades 6–8 (middle school) to manage transitions and class sizes, and maintaining choice seats at Salem High only. The memo set Sept. 5 as the final date to accept choice students for the school year; exceptions for midyear housing changes were retained.
Member Campbell moved to accept the superintendent's recommendation; Member Miranda seconded. The committee voted voice approval with no members recorded as opposed.
The committee approved two budget transfers. A transfer of $5,647.50 moved funds from non-personnel (instructional supplies) to personnel to cover multilingual (ML) stipends in the DL/ML cost center. A second set of transfers totaling $32,527.65 moved funds (including stipend lines) into contracted services and training to support the district's summer leadership institute and related professional development. Member Campbell moved to approve both transfers; Member Miranda seconded. The motion carried.
The committee also took up third readings of two policies: Policy 5103, Controlled Choice Student Assignment, and Policy 5501, Responsible Use Policy and Media. Member Cornell moved to approve both policies for third reading; Member Campbell seconded. Both policies passed on voice vote.
Earlier in the meeting the committee approved the agenda and the consent agenda (minutes of April 28 and the May 1 warrant) by unanimous voice votes and adjourned at the end of the session.
Votes at a glance: - School-choice participation (superintendent's recommendation): Motion to accept recommendation (mover: Member Campbell; seconder: Member Miranda). Outcome: approved (voice vote; no opposition recorded). Key details: Do not accept choice into New Liberty; do not accept new choice placements in grades 6–8; Sept. 5 final date to accept choice applications; exceptions for midyear moves allowed. - Budget transfers: Motion to approve both transfers (mover: Member Campbell; seconder: Member Miranda). Outcome: approved (voice vote; no opposition recorded). Amounts: $5,647.50 (non-personnel to personnel for ML stipends) and $32,527.65 (to contracted services/training for summer leadership institute). - Policy 5103 (Controlled Choice Student Assignment) & Policy 5501 (Responsible Use Policy and Media): Motion to approve third readings (mover: Member Cornell; seconder: Member Campbell). Outcome: approved (voice vote; no opposition recorded).
No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes; votes were taken by voice with chair noting "all in favor" and no oppositions.
