School Committee
Regular MeetingSalem, MA · November 4, 2024
Minutes
Minutes of the Special Session
of the Salem School Committee
Monday, November 4, 2024
Rm. 227, 29 Highland Ave.
Hybrid Meeting
Members Present: Mayor Dominick Pangallo, Vice Chair Cruz, Amanda Campbell,
Beth Anne Cornell, AJ Hoffman, Mary Manning, and Veronica
Miranda
Others in Attendance: Superintendent Stephen Zrike and Deputy Superintendent
Carbone
Members Absent: None
Call of Meeting to Order
Mayor Pangallo called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
Saltonstall Middle School Grades Discussion
Superintendent Zrike spoke about the results from surveys as well as emails received from
community members. Superintendent Zrike believed that this is the right recommendation for
middle grade classes at Saltonstall School to be transferred to Collins Middle School.
There was a discussion of whether the students from Saltonstall can be grouped together.
Comments included that it might not be a good idea but that there was precedent based on
circumstances. There were also comments that this might be best left to the administration and
suggestions for the administration to report back to the School Committee.
In terms of transportation, Superintendent Zrike said that there is capacity in the middle school
buses but that an analysis of how many of the Saltonstall students would qualify has not been
done yet. There was a discussion about the pros and cons on whether transportation should be
provided for a limited period.
The perception of families and students about Collins Middle School was also discussed as
opposed to the real experiences of students at Collins. Comments were made that the
transition should include informing families of all the programs, events and activities at the
Collins Middle School. There was also a comment that the survey results showed that the
teachers at Saltonstall were in favor of the transition. Superintendent Zrike said that it is much
more difficult to replicate the middle school experience at Saltonstall School because of limited
resources.
There were also comments about whether it would be better to move the rising grade 6-8
Saltonstall students at the same time or use a staggered approach. Other potential upcoming
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changes such as the new high school configuration was also discussed but it was pointed out
that this change is about 5- 7 years from now whereas the move from Saltonstall to Collins is
going to benefit students immediately. One comment cautioned about the appearance of
instability if changes are made frequently.
A question was raised about whether the 8th grade pilot program at the Collins Middle School
would expand to other grades. Superintendent Zrike said the goal was to expand to the 7th and
6th grades.Superintendent Zrike said the data is compelling that students at Saltonstall feel
more disengaged than Collins. Further discussion ensued about supports for the incoming 8th
graders as they will have two transitions in a very short period. Alternative programs and
pathways were also discussed.
Suggestions were made that feedback from Saltonstall students who would be affected would
be helpful. Superintendent Zrike said that the Principals at both Saltonstall and Collins have
enabled a lot of joint activities between the middle school students at both schools. Principal
Jellison commented that one of the activities at the Saltonstall School is the mentorship where
the middle schoolers would do activities with students in the lower grades.
More data by grade level was sought about the middle schoolers such as absenteeism,
achievements, and disciplinary incidents. Principal Jellison said that the students who were
most upset about the proposal were the 7th graders. Principal Jellison also said that lately there
has been an increase of multilingual learners and students on IEPs enrolling in the middle school
grades. Superintendent Zrike said that the enrollment is also probably affected by the proximity
of homes to the school.
Discussions continued about what aspect the School Committee would vote on and what would
be left to the administration to carry out. Superintendent Zrike suggested that a transition
document could be created. One of the comments from members included having some of the
aspects of a transition plan in place before voting on the matter.
Adjournment
Vice Chair Cruz made a motion to adjourn at 6:47 pm. Member Miranda seconded. A roll call
vote was taken.
Member Campbell voted YES
Member Cornell voted YES
Vice Chair Cruz voted YES
Member Hoffman voted YES
Member Manning voted YES
Member Miranda voted YES
Mayor Pangallo voted YES
Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by,
Shirley Dorai
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Executive Assistant to the School Committee & Superintendent
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Agenda
Salem Public Schools
School Committee
Amanda Campbell AJ Hoffman
Beth Anne Cornell Mary A. Manning
Manny Cruz, Vice Chair Veronica Miranda
Mayor Dominick Pangallo, Chair
“Know Your Rights Under the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c.30A § 18-25 and
City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033”
REGULAR SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
Notice is hereby given that the Salem School Committee will hold a Regular School
Committee meeting on November 4, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will take place in
person at 29 Highland Ave., Rm. 227, Salem, MA. You can also join via Zoom using the
link below.
Zoom Link to participate:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83611288991?pwd=OjgaE411P9SBdY7JynEn7oFG6ZQuv0.1
Passcode: 675685
1. Call of Meeting to Order
1. Summary of Public Participation Policy (School Committee Policy #6409).
Read aloud: The Salem School Committee would like to hear from the public on
issues that affect the school district and are within the scope of the Committee’s
responsibilities. Spanish interpretation is available for anyone who needs it. The
members of the School Committee would like to remind the public that Salem
Public School students regularly attend School Committee meetings. We
encourage all meeting participants to model respectful and productive public
discourse for our young learners.
2. Live Spanish Interpretation.
Spanish language interpretation is now provided for all regular School
Committee meetings. To listen to this meeting with Spanish language
interpretation, please see instructions below:
1. Click Interpretation
2. Click Spanish
3. (Optional) To hear the interpreted language only, click Mute Original Audio.
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Public Comment
See above instructions for participating in public comment.
29 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970 Phone: 978-740-1212 Email: sdorai@salemk12.org
4. Approval of Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes of Regular School Committee meeting held on October 21, 2024
2. Approval of FY25 Warrants:
1. 10/24/2024 - $325,259.09
2. 10/31/2024 - $734,568.12
5. Superintendent’s Report
1. Equity Audit
2. Salem Public Schools Family Survey
3. School Improvement Plans 2025
4. Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Update
5. Finance and Operations Report
6. Saltonstall Middle School Grades Recommendation
6. Student Representative Report
7. Subcommittee Reports
1. Finance Subcommittee
2. Personnel Subcommittee
3. Building & Grounds Subcommittee
4. Curriculum Subcommittee
5. Policy Subcommittee
8. Motions and Resolutions
1. School Improvement Plans 2025
9. Announcements
10. Adjournment
Respectfully submitted by,
Shirley Dorai
Executive Assistant to the School Committee and Superintendent
“Persons requiring auxiliary aids and services for effective communication such as sign language interpreter, an
assistive listening device, or print material in digital format or a reasonable modification in programs, services,
policies, or activities, may contact the City of Salem ADA Coordinator at (978) 619-5630 as soon as possible and
not less than 2 business days before the meeting, program, or event.”
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Escuelas Públicas de Salem
Comité Escolar
Amanda Campbell AJ Hoffman
Beth Anne Cornell Mary A. Manning
Manny Cruz, Vice Chair Veronica Miranda
Alcalde Dominick Pangallo, Preside
“Conozca sus derechos bajo la Ley de Sesiones Públicas, M.G.L. c.30A § 18-25 y
Secciones 2-2028 a 2-2033 de la normativa municipal”
REUNIÓN REGULAR DEL COMITÉ ESCOLAR
Por la presente se notifica que el Comité Escolar de Salem celebrará una Reunión regular del
Comité Escolar el 4 de noviembre de 2024 a las 7:00 p.m. Esta reunión tendrá lugar en persona
en 29 Highland Ave., Rm. 227, Salem, MA. También puede unirse a través de Zoom utilizando el
enlace de a continuación.
Enlace Zoom para participar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83611288991?pwd=OjgaE411P9SBdY7JynEn7oFG6ZQuv0.1
Passcode: 675685
1. Orden del día
1. Resumen de la Política de Participación Pública (Política del Comité Escolar nº 6409).
Lectura en voz alta: Al Comité Escolar de Salem le gustaría escuchar al público sobre
temas que afectan al distrito escolar y que están dentro del ámbito de las
responsabilidades del Comité. Habrá interpretación al español para quien lo necesite. Los
miembros del Comité Escolar desean recordar al público que los estudiantes de las
Escuelas Públicas de Salem asisten regularmente a las reuniones del Comité Escolar.
Animamos a todos los participantes de la reunión a modelar un discurso público
respetuoso y productivo para nuestros jóvenes estudiantes.
2. Interpretación en directo al español.
Ahora se ofrece interpretación en español para todas las reuniones regulares del
Comité Escolar. Para escuchar esta reunión con interpretación al español, por
favor vea las instrucciones a continuación:
1. Haga clic en Interpretation .
2. Haga clic en Spanish
3. (Opcional) Para escuchar sólo el idioma interpretado, haga clic en Mute
Original Audio.
29 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970 Phone: 978-740-1212 Email: sdorai@salemk12.org
2. Aprobación del orden del día
3. Comentarios del público
Consulte las instrucciones anteriores para participar en los comentarios públicos.
4. Aprobación del orden del día
1. Aprobación del acta de la reunión ordinaria del Comité Escolar celebrada el 21 de octubre de 2024.
2. Aprobación de FY25 órdenes de pago:
1. 24-oct-2024 - $325,259.09
2. 31-oct -2024 - $734,568.12
5. Informe del Superintendente
1. Auditoría de equidad
2. Encuesta Familiar de las Escuelas Públicas de Salem
3. Planes de Mejora Escolar 2025
4. Actualización de la Autoridad de Construcción de Escuelas de Massachusetts (MSBA)
5. Informe de Finanzas y Operaciones
6. Recomendación sobre los grados de la Escuela Media Saltonstall
6. Informe del representante estudiantil
7. Informes de los subcomités
1. Subcomité de Finanzas
2. Subcomité de Personal
3. Subcomité de Edificios y Terrenos
4. Subcomité de Planes de Estudios
5. Subcomité de Política
8. Mociones y resoluciones
1. Planes de mejora escolar 2025
9. Anuncios
10. Clausura
Respetuosamente presentado por,
Shirley Dorai
Asistente Ejecutiva del Comité Escolar y del Superintendente
“Las personas que necesiten ayudas y servicios auxiliares para una comunicación eficaz, como un intérprete de lenguaje de
señas, un dispositivo de ayuda auditiva o material impreso en formato digital, o una modificación razonable en los
programas, servicios, políticas o actividades, pueden ponerse en contacto con el Coordinador de la ADA de la Ciudad de
Salem en el (978) 619-5630 lo antes posible y no menos de 2 días hábiles antes de la reunión, programa o evento..”
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