On Tuesday, April 22, the Salem Board of Education set forth their intentions to pursue an 8% tax levy increase in the proposed budget to begin closing the gap between revenues and expenses for the 2025-26 school year.
During the series of Budget Workshops, the board reviewed four different tax levies and examined their impact. After further review of all options, the Board of Education agreed to proceed with a proposal that includes an 8% tax levy increase, which is above the maximum allowable limit of 2.08%, to preserve student programming and maintain financial health, while staying fiscally responsible to taxpayers. As the proposed tax levy is above the maximum allowable tax levy limit, the proposed budget will require a supermajority approval (60%+1) by voters.
With the proposed 8% tax levy and cuts to expenses, the district would be able to reduce the budget gap from $2,000,000 to $313,928, maintain the fund balance (savings), and slow the depletion of reserves.
Recent recommendations from School Finance Consultant Dr. Rick Timbs included balancing the budget while incorporating long term financial planning. If approved, the board will need to carefully manage reserves to ensure fund balance remains at or above 4% each year.
The Salem Board of Education will hold its annual budget hearing, with a capital project hearing immediately following, at 6pm on Tuesday, May 6 in the high school auditorium. Public comment and questions about the proposals are open for the community during both hearings.
Several factors went into developing a proposed budget that would mitigate negative impact on student programming, including examining enrollment and class sizes, scheduling and offerings, staff capacity, and student needs. As a result, the budget proposal includes the following:
Reorganizing teaching assignments in English, Math, and Science departments to accommodate increased enrollment in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and alternative credit options for students.
Increasing Academic Intervention Services (AIS) provided by classroom teachers, to ensure higher needs students have specialized instruction with reading teachers. Also, Special Education teachers who meet reading certification requirements will also support reading instruction.
Elimination of social worker position through attrition.
Speech therapy will continue, with shared services between the district’s two remaining speech therapists. County programs will be available to assist, as needed.
Elimination of the elementary principal position.
Elimination of the clerical position supporting the eliminated principal position.