Parents and presenters push Salem High building vote as district holds outreach sessions

A Salem Public Schools parent and Salem High mathematics teacher on April 6 told the School Committee she will vote yes on the proposed new Salem High School building and urged attention to leadership retention as the district moves toward a May vote.

"As a community member, I will be voting yes on the upcoming vote regarding a new building for Salem High School," said Jamie Navins, who identified herself as a parent and a geometry teacher at Salem High.

Navins praised the role of Mr. Glenn Burns in the high school turnaround, saying his leadership helped position Salem High for recognition and districtwide improvements. She urged the committee to consider what concrete steps could be taken to retain effective leaders as the district’s superintendent search continues.

District staff said community outreach on the high school building project is ongoing. The district held an open house March 29 where building-committee members presented project condition assessments and projected costs; officials estimated 30–40 community members attended. Presenters said slides and a recording of the presentation will be available via the district and building-project web pages.

The district announced two follow-up presentations before the May 5 vote: a meeting for the Collins Middle School community and families (scheduled for the evening following the meeting) and a staff webinar on April 14. The building-committee page on the district website includes a contact link for follow-up questions.

The committee did not take a vote on the building project at this meeting. The district encouraged continued public engagement ahead of the scheduled vote.