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Salem‑Keizer board approves superintendent evaluation, extends superintendent contract and backs two local ballot statements
Summary
The board approved the 2024–25 superintendent evaluation, voted to begin negotiations for a three‑year contract extension, and authorized measure arguments in favor of a City of Salem operating levy and a Chemeketa Community College bond measure; the consent calendar was also approved.
The Salem‑Keizer School District Board of Directors on March 11 approved the superintendent’s 2024–25 evaluation, moved to negotiate a contract extension for Superintendent Andrea Castaneda, and authorized measure arguments for two local ballot measures. The board also approved the consent calendar.
Superintendent evaluation: The board presented the 2024–25 evaluation for Superintendent Castaneda, which the meeting materials said covered performance from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. The evaluation, prepared in accordance with district policy and the superintendent’s contract, assessed three areas: academic achievement results, executive limitations and OSBA leadership standards. A board motion to approve the evaluation was made by Director Preci and seconded by Director Cottingham; the board approved the evaluation (the chair announced the vote as unanimous).
Contract extension: The board then considered the superintendent’s contract. The superintendent’s current contract runs July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026 and, under the contract, the board must act on renewal or extension by March 15, 2025. The board moved to authorize the chair to enter negotiations for a new three‑year contract beginning July 2025; the motion was made by Director Sandagiri and seconded by Director Harnish. The board approved the motion with one recorded opposition.
Measure statements: The board voted to place brief statements in the voters’ pamphlet supporting two local ballot questions. First, the board approved a statement in favor of a City of Salem five‑year operating levy that, if passed by voters on May 20, would cost property owners 98¢ per $1,000 of assessed value and fund parks, recreation, libraries and senior services. That motion was moved by Director Cunningham and seconded by Director Harnish; the motion passed with two oppositions recorded.
Second, the board approved a statement in favor of Chemeketa Community College’s measure to maintain the existing tax rate of 27¢ per $1,000 of assessed value, a measure the meeting materials said would fund CTE expansion, a trades center and facility improvements; Director Sandagiri moved and Director Artis seconded the motion, which passed with one opposition recorded.
Consent calendar: The board approved the consent calendar on a motion by Director Pressey and a second by Director Harnish; the chair announced the vote as unanimous.
Board members who spoke during the votes praised the superintendent’s leadership and the district’s progress while some members expressed concern about asking voters for new levies during financially difficult times for some residents. A board counsel clarification about minutes and vote recording was given after the contract vote.
No additional budget or contract details were adopted on the floor; the contract extension motion delegated authority to the board chair to negotiate terms and return with a contract for ratification.
