Salem School Committee approves relocations, renaming and interim leadership in unanimous votes
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Summary
On March 9, the Salem School Committee unanimously approved relocating New Liberty and Salem Prep to the Carlton building for 2026–27, named the Saltonstall/Carlton building the Sarah Parker Ramon School (third reading), and appointed interim superintendent and deputy superintendent. A small budget transfer and other items also passed.
The Salem School Committee unanimously approved a package of motions on March 9, including the relocation of New Liberty Innovation School and Salem Prep High School to the Carlton School Building for the 2026–27 school year, the naming of the Saltonstall/Carlton building as the Sarah Parker Ramon School, and appointments to interim leadership.
Superintendent Dr. Reich recommended the relocations, saying the Carlton building offers dedicated space, separate entrances and shared facilities that better suit the programs. He also cited an anticipated lease savings of roughly $330,000 if the district exits rented space at the mall.
After a brief question period on budget and long-term plans, the committee voted on both relocation measures; motions were moved by Member Cornell and seconded by Member Hoffman and carried without opposition.
On the naming measure, the committee considered an amendment to remove the word “Innovation” from the proposed title so the building would honor Sarah Parker Ramon without attaching a governance designation. Member Miranda made the amendment; it passed unanimously and the third reading to name the building the Sarah Parker Ramon School carried.
The committee also approved appointing Deputy Superintendent Kate Carboni as interim superintendent through July 31, 2026 (with a prorated annualized salary set in the contract amendment) and named Elizabeth Polley interim deputy superintendent through July 31, 2026. Both appointments were approved by unanimous voice/hand votes.
A budget transfer request to move $3,594 from contracted services to a stipend line for New Liberty staff was presented and approved; committee materials noted the transfer was below the $15,000 posting threshold but brought forward for transparency because it moves funds into personnel.
The meeting concluded with routine announcements and an adjournment vote. Next public budget hearing dates and capital-project outreach (including a May 5 debt-exclusion vote for the new high school) were noted elsewhere on the agenda.
Votes at a glance (all unanimous, as recorded): - Appoint Kate Carboni interim superintendent through 07/31/2026 — motion moved by Member Cornell, seconded by Member Miranda — outcome: approved. - Appoint Elizabeth Polley interim deputy superintendent through 07/31/2026 — motion moved by Member Miranda, seconded by Member Cornell — outcome: approved. - Name Saltonstall/Carlton building the Sarah Parker Ramon School (third reading, amendment removing “Innovation”) — outcome: approved. - Relocate New Liberty Innovation School to 10 Skerry Street (Carlton Building) for 2026–27 — motion moved by Member Cornell, seconded by Member Hoffman — outcome: approved. - Relocate Salem Prep High School to 10 Skerry Street (Carlton Building) for 2026–27 — motion moved by Member Cornell, seconded by Member Hoffman — outcome: approved. - Budget transfer: New Liberty moves $3,594 from contracted services to stipend line — motion moved by Member Cornell, seconded by Member Hoffman — outcome: approved.
The committee recorded no roll-call tallies in the minutes; motions carried by voice or show-of-hands and were entered as unanimous.