Salem Central School District

The meeting commenced with an agenda amendment including one personnel item and one action item. Discussions covered updates on the return of a third teacher to the English department, with two teachers on a call-back list for a reduction in force. A recommendation for bus driver substitutes included a proposed pay increase to $24 per hour to remain competitive with surrounding districts. An update was provided on the roof project application submitted to SED, with expected updates after the holidays. Budget planning for the coming year is underway, with initial departmental reviews occurring before the arrival of a new contact in January, and plans to share the five-year projection including audit results. The board was asked to provide feedback via survey regarding attendance at the Aderanic Area School Board Association events. Discussions also included the upcoming holiday events. The finance committee reviewed the budget timeline, agreeing to continue finance committee meetings on Mondays preceding board meetings for budget development updates. Several policies were reviewed by a committee, including an update to the school safety plan, language updates to three existing policies, and the introduction of a new cybersecurity policy, all slated for a first read in January. The Athletics Committee reported a significant increase in winter sports participation, noting that all fall teams achieved scholar-athlete status.

The meeting included a public hearing on the amendment to the 2526 district safety plan, focusing on cardiac emergency response and AED use, driven by the enactment of DESH's law. The board discussed the implementation of a cardiac emergency response plan, including training staff in CPR and AED use, maintaining AED devices, and incorporating AED protocols into emergency response plans. Additionally, there was a discussion regarding an early college access coaster, which will allow Boseies to provide aid on college tuition and teacher salaries for college courses taught in high school.

The Board of Education meeting included discussions on various topics such as the English Department adding a teacher, bus driver substitute rates, a roof project and its application into SED, the budget season, and holiday events at the school. The board also reviewed policies presented by Erie 1, safety meeting protocols, athletics, and facilities. The board approved the amendment to the 2025-26 District Safety Plan and discussed advocacy priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session, including zero-emission buses and school aid. Additionally, the board accepted donations, approved a building use request, adopted the 2026-27 Budget and Vote Timeline, and discussed the BOE workshop and RSA Event.

The Salem Board of Education held a special meeting to appoint an interim business manager and approve related agreements. Additionally, the board approved several appointments, including a record management officer, a secretary to the superintendent, and a homeless liaison.

The meeting included a presentation and discussion on the amendment to the 2025-26 District Safety Plan. An executive session was held to discuss employment history and appointments. The Superintendent's Report covered topics such as Future Focus at BOCES, Early College Access CoSer, RSY Forum, Veteran's Day celebration, and Section II finals for football. The Student Board Member's Report addressed Veteran's Day, students eating in the classroom, and Mr. Moore's Listening Sessions. The board approved the consent agenda items, including draft minutes, treasurer's reports, internal claims audit report, condition of accounts, and CSE and 504 reports. Committee updates were given for finance, policy, safety, negotiations, ad hoc, and facilities. Personnel items included the appointment of an Assistant Business Administrator and a Business Administrator, a resignation, and several coaching and substitute appointments. The board also approved longevity payment payouts and a CSE Co-Chair MOA. Action items included accepting the Reserve Fund Report and Analysis, External Audit report of Financials and the Corrective Action Plan, External Audit report of Extraclassroom Activity Fund and Corrective Action Plan, an Intermunicipal Agreement, a new scholarship approval, a proposal from ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC, and an Arrow Bank Agreement Approval. A discussion was held regarding High School English Department Staffing. The board also discussed the Board Workshop, Veteran's Day Assembly, FFA, Football team, 4th grade Longhouses, the NYSSBA Convention, the AASBA dinner with focus on AI, and Babble feedback.