Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools Community,
As you may know, on Monday, April 28, the Salem School Committee voted to approve the proposed $78,173,061 budget for the 2025-2026 school year. This preliminary budget proposal represents an increase of 4.8% which is $3.6 million above our current year’s budget. The Salem Public School District is grateful to the City of Salem for its generous partnership and continued support for our schools.
Without question, this was an extremely challenging budget season. Personnel costs, which represent the majority of our expenses (76%), are projected to increase significantly next year (increasing by an average of 10%). This increase was the result of intentional choices made to invest in recruiting, developing, and retaining high-quality educators. Collective bargaining agreements settled this year have increased compensation for teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators – we are proud to be able to pay a fair and competitive wage to our dedicated professionals, believing that this is the most effective way to prepare students to launch successfully into adulthood, well prepared for the complex and global world in which we live.
Non-personnel costs have also increased dramatically over the last several years, and are projected to continue to grow. For example, our utility bills are expected to be 24% higher than in the current year and transportation costs will increase by 18%. Out-of-district special education tuition is also projected to increase by more than 40%, despite the district expanding in district programming that is keeping more students in the Salem Public Schools.
Combined, these increases to personnel and non-personnel costs created a near perfect storm for Salem’s budget process. To balance the budget, every school and department was asked to reduce positions and non-personnel expenses. In the majority of cases, the individuals whose positions have been eliminated will be offered new roles within the Salem Public Schools.
Moving forward, we must continue to look at streamlining systems and identifying ways to reduce our costs. That work begins immediately so that we may chart a course that is aligned with our values and is financially sustainable, and that will allow us to deliver the world class education that our students deserve. As part of that, we will challenge ourselves to re-examine every facet of our programming to determine whether and how we are best serving our students. We also commit to ramping up our advocacy with state leaders to ensure that Salem receives its fair share of the Commonwealth’s investment in Prek-12 education.
Now the budget goes to the City Council for its consideration. The Council will review the School Committee’s approved budget, and will vote on the budget in June. We look forward to sharing more with the Council later in May about the details of the budget and our plans for the year ahead.
We are deeply grateful for the hard work of all of the stakeholders who provided input that got us to this point in the process, including SPS educators, parents, and community partners. Throughout, the input we’ve received has been intentional, deliberate and has centered our students and families. As always, please feel free to continue to share feedback with us by emailing me at szrike@salemk12.org or at spsbudget@salemk12.org.
Enjoy the weekend,
Steve
This past spring, Ms. Ellyson started a Unified Sports Club so that both general and special education students can work together to prepare for the Unified Sports games. This collaboration is not about one student leading the other, but instead is about creating authentic partnerships between students. Horace Mann is so grateful for Ms. Ellyson’s vision of what an inclusive community can look like where we see and celebrate each other’s strengths!
Graduation Rates Higher, Dropouts Lower for Second Straight Year at Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools saw its four-year graduation rate increase to 81.6 percent, its highest rate since 2017-18 and up by a full percentage point, while its drop-out rate decreased for the second straight year, to 1.8 percent. Both metrics now are better than they were pre-pandemic, when the graduation rate was 80.5 percent and the drop-out rate was 4.5%.
Salem Public Schools Music Educator Jabari Tovar ‘12 Named Recipient of Bluecoats Fellowship
Jabari Tovar, a music educator and member of the Salem High School Class of 2012, received and accepted an invitation to the Bluecoats Fellowship, an honors program for early-career educators in the marching arts, the Bluecoats announced Mar. 26.
The Salem News | Grant enables live video interpretation for multilingual families in Salem schools
Families for whom English is a second language are now able to receive live translator services in real time at each of the 11 Salem Public Schools main offices via iPads with interpretation software.
The Salem News | City nears final design for new Salem High School
The Salem High School building project is approaching a decision among four potential designs that seek to either repair the building, renovate it, or create an entirely new school outside the current building’s footprint. The effort to redesign the high school began with the formation of the Salem High School Building Committee in July 2023.
VIEW GALLERY: Scholars Learn Wheat Farming, CPR at April Vacation Academy
Wheat farming. Skillet flatbread. CPS certification. Salem Public Schools Vacation Academy was buzzing over April break. Pre-K and elementary students engaged in a STEM-focused farm-to-table themed week.
VIEW GALLERY: Class of 2028 Paint Night Draws 30 Budding Artists
Artistic talent was widely on display Wednesday, Apr. 16 at the Salem High School Class of 2028 Paint Night fundraiser, organized by Class advisors Taina Javier ’07, SHS Family Engagement Facilitator, and SHS Tutor Tajyana McCants.
Transportation applications for the 2025-26 school year are now open in the Aspen Family Portal.
All students who wish to ride the bus for the 2025-26 school year must submit an application, even if the student currently rides the bus or is considered a mandatory rider. A completed application must be submitted by Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Applications received after July 1, 2025, will not be accepted except in extenuating circumstances to allow proper time for processing and routing.
Note: If you have a student that attends Salem Academy Charter School, you will not be able to submit an application for your student in Aspen. Salem Academy will send a separate application form to families.
- Transportation Application Letter: ENG | ESP | POR
- VIEW: Transportation Application Instructions
- Step-by-Step Bus Application in Aspen: ENG | ESP | POR
- Salem Academy Transportation Registration: ENG | ESP | POR
For more information, visit the Salem Public Schools Transportation website or contact us at:
- T: (978) 740-1240
- dbido@salemk12.org
- jbarros@salemk12.org
Due to scheduling conflicts with many youth sports organizations, the Salem Girls in Sports Day Clinic, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 10, has been postponed to a later date to be announced. Our goal is to encourage the growth of and participation in girls sports across our city, so we are partnering with organizers and commissioners to identify a day with fewer conflicts within the Salem Youth Sports calendar.
A rescheduled date will be announced as soon as possible. Registrations are still valid for the next date. If you need to cancel your registration a full refund will be given.
For more information, contact Reilly Christie, Director of Athletics at Salem High School, at rchristie@salemk12.org.
We’re kicking off the final stretch of the school year with a flavor-packed month full of celebration, student creativity, and local goodness! Here's what's cooking in May across the district:
May 2: School Lunch Hero Day
We started the month by honoring our incredible School Lunch Heroes! From SHS to elementary schools across the district, our kitchen teams serve up delicious, nutritious meals with heart every day. Thank you for all you do!
The Second Annual Salem High School Community Volleyball Tournament is slated for Saturday, May 31 (8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.) at the SHS Veterans Memorial Field House.
This year's tournament will be comprised of two divisions -- a Women's Bracket and a Co-Ed Bracket:
- Teams may consist of 6-8 athletes.
- All co-ed teams must have at least two female athletes on the court at all times.
- All athletes ages 14+ are invited to participate.
- Registration fee is $200 (~$25/person)
The event also includes food, raffles and Witches Volleyball gear for sale. All proceeds will support the SHS Volleyball program's preseason Trip in August.
For more information, visit the Tournament website or contact the SHSVB coaching staff at salemwitchesvolleyball@gmail.com.
ParentSquare is the communication platform for Salem Public Schools. Families receive communication from the district, school, and their student's classroom all in one space. Families can communicate 1-to-1 with teachers, register for parent-teacher conferences, and more.
If you are not receiving messages from ParentSquare or if you are having trouble, contact your school's front office. You can visit www.parentsquare.com for more information.