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School committee approves $51,000 in transfers; MSBA schematic submission for Salem High noted
Summary
The Salem School Committee approved $51,000 in intra‑district transfers to fund stipends, tutoring and safety‑care stipends and received an update that the Salem High School schematic design will be submitted to the MSBA on Dec. 17 with a preliminary construction estimate of about $450 million.
The Salem School Committee unanimously approved four intra‑district budget transfers totaling $51,000 at its Dec. 15 meeting to support stipends, out‑of‑school‑time programming and special‑education tutoring.
Superintendent (on behalf of Assistant Superintendent Polly) outlined the transfers: $12,000 moved from contracted services to stipends at Witchcraft; $9,000 from contracted services and office supplies to stipends for out‑of‑school time programming; $20,000 from contracted services to tutoring supports in special education; and $10,000 from contracted services to stipends for safety‑care training. Member Campbell moved the transfers and Member Miranda seconded; the roll‑call vote was 7–0.
Separately, the superintendent updated the committee on the Salem High School building project and the MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) process. The district plans to submit its schematic design to MSBA on Dec. 17. Committee discussion referenced a preliminary construction estimate near $450 million; the chair said the district currently expects MSBA reimbursement to be in the 40–50 percent range but that a final reimbursement rate is expected in February. The superintendent said he will file a bond order with the city council in January and, if the council approves, seek a debt‑exclusion vote from the community on May 5.
Other business at the meeting included a student‑council report on a mentorship program for incoming students and approval of several policies on third reading. The superintendent said the district will send a communication summarizing decisions the next day and will share transition and leadership details for the reconfiguration by the end of the week.
