After the Adirondack League approved Salem Central School District’s departure from the league at the end of the 2025-26 school year, the Section 2 Merger Committee greenlit Salem’s merged athletic teams for participation in the fall 2026-27 season.
“Our departure from the Adirondack League allowed Section 2 to approve all of our merger requests for the fall 2026 season. This ensures that all Salem fall athletic programs remain available to interested student-athletes,” said Superintendent Julie Collier.
Salem non-merged teams will remain on any 2026-27 Adirondack League schedules finalized before the departure and compete as independents, making those contests non-league contests. Merged teams that already play in the Wasaren League will continue to do so. Other merged teams that played in the Adirondack League are expected to transition to the Wasaren League in no later than the 2027-28 school year.
“Declining enrollment has led to more athletic mergers to ensure Salem students can continue to compete in the same sports. While these mergers preserve opportunities, they reduce the number of opponents in a league and make scheduling across both leagues more difficult,” said Collier.
After the Adirondack League denied Salem’s fall athletic merger applications, the district acted quickly to ensure students still had competitive opportunities for the upcoming season. Without approval from both leagues, the Section 2 Merger Committee tabled all of Salem’s requests on April 17, 2026, pending resolution with the Adirondack League. The Adirondack League denied Salem’s request for a revote on the mergers, leaving its only remaining option to seek independent status for the 2026-27 school year.
“Salem CSD was unable to fully meet its Adirondack League responsibilities. Membership was no longer mutually beneficial for the parties,” said Collier.
Collier informed the Board of Education of its limited options and tight timeline for action during the board’s meetings on April 16 and 21. The discussions were focused on the importance of ensuring all fall athletics programs were available to interested athletes in the fall.
Once Salem’s exit from the Adirondack League was approved by the League, the Section 2 Merger Committee reconvened and approved all of Salem’s merger applications for the fall 2026 season.
“Salem CSD will evaluate potential Wasaren League membership over the next few months, which will include updates to the Board of Education and opportunities for public comment. In the coming weeks, we will also gather input from coaches as we consider the best path forward,” said Collier. “Our priority is to continue to provide our student-athletes with as many opportunities as possible to participate in interscholastic athletics.”