Votes at a glance: School committee approves deputy superintendent contract and authorizes MSBA statement submissions for Carlton and Horace Mann

The Salem School Committee on March 17, 2025 recorded several formal actions: it approved a three‑year contract for Deputy Superintendent Kate Carboni, approved the third reading of policy 5215.01 (directory of student information), acknowledged receipt of the Salem High School education plan and space summary (procedural, per MSBA process), and authorized the superintendent to submit Massachusetts School Building Authority statements of interest seeking accelerated repairs funding for the Carlton Innovation School and Horace Mann Laboratory School.

Why it matters: the contract and policy votes affect district leadership and student-data practices. The MSBA statement-of-interest authorizations start a process that can lead to state-supported funding for major roof and HVAC repairs; if accepted, those projects could reduce near-term maintenance burdens at Carlton and Horace Mann but do not guarantee grant awards.

Key votes and outcomes

- Deputy superintendent contract (07/01/2024–06/30/2027): Motion to approve the three-year contract for Deputy Superintendent Kate Carboni passed by voice vote after a motion by Member Cruz and a second by Member Manning. The committee noted the contract includes a 4% increase in the deputy superintendent’s salary (as described during the discussion). No roll-call tally was recorded in the minutes; the motion passed with the ayes recorded as “all in favor.”

- Acknowledgment that school committee received the Salem High School educational plan and space summary: The committee voted to record that it had received the documents as required by MSBA procedure; the motion was made by Member Cruz and seconded by Member Campbell and carried by voice vote.

- Authorization to submit MSBA Statement(s) of Interest (SOI) for accelerated repairs: • Carlton Innovation School, 10 Skerry Street — Motion authorized the superintendent to submit an SOI for roof and HVAC replacement/modernization. During the reading of the resolution the committee noted the roof is more than 23 years old and HVAC units are beyond useful life. Roll-call: Member Manning — Yes; Member Cruz — Yes; Member Miranda — Yes; Member Cornell — Yes; Member Campbell — Yes; Mayor/Chair — Yes. Motion carried. • Horace Mann Laboratory School, 79 Wilson Street — Motion authorized submission of an SOI for roof and HVAC replacement/modernization; the resolution cited wet insulation and failing rooftop units. Roll-call: Member Manning — Yes; Member Cruz — Yes; Member Miranda — Yes; Member Cornell — Yes; Member Campbell — Yes; Mayor/Chair — Yes. Motion carried.

- Policy 5215.01 (directory of student information), third reading: Motion to approve for third reading was made by Member Cornell and seconded by Member Campbell; the committee approved by voice vote.

- Consent agenda: The committee approved the consent agenda (minutes from March 3 and March 11, a March field trip to Brewer, Maine for the high school volleyball program and warrants) by voice vote after Member Cruz moved and Member Campbell seconded the motion. The consent agenda passed with no recorded dissents.

Votes not fully enumerated: Several matters were passed by voice vote with “all in favor” and no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript (for example, the agenda approval and some consent-agenda items). Where a roll call was recorded (the two MSBA SOI authorizations), the transcript recorded unanimous yes votes from the members present.

Ending: The committee adjourned after routine announcements; additional follow-up on MSBA and building-committee matters was scheduled and several members requested regular written updates and school-site visits to review design elements before final decisions are made.