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SALEM -- Excellence amongst Salem's High School students was celebrated in Monday's board of education meeting.
High School Principal Todd McLaughlin highlighted the academic, athletic and philanthropic achievements of his students as part of his report.
McLaughlin presented the board with the current state of the high school's "Pathways" academic support program which focuses on giving students who are struggling academically with a comfortable, small group focused alternative learning environment, providing students with guidance and support to work at their own pace, helping them to gain necessary core credits before they fall behind and offering incentives for attendance and completing courses. McLaughlin said that as of Monday the program had 54 students enrolled including nine freshmen, 14 sophomores, 23 juniors and eight seniors.
McLaughlin said that of those students, all freshmen, sophomores and juniors were on track to graduate on time, and that seven of the eight seniors were on track to graduate, with a tailored plan being developed to get that final senior back on track. McLaughlin also said that five students have already completed all requirements and will be graduating early in May (three juniors and two seniors), with eight additional juniors and two additional seniors on track to graduate early.
Turning to the philanthropic, McLaughlin said that the National Honor Society's float had been selected as one of the winners in the annual Christmas parade, and that the group had chosen to donate the $300 prize to the Columbiana County Humane Society. McLaughlin said that in addition to this, the members had taken up a collection amongst themselves, raising a further $100 for a total donation of $400.
McLaughlin also took time to highlight the excellence of the girls cross country team, which placed in the top eight at the state level for the third year in a row, and the lone male qualifier, Will Madison, recognizing each athlete and their individual placements and honors.
During his report Superintendent Sean Kirkland congratulated Board of Education Member Brittany Maniscalco on the birth of her daughter.
Other business included the administration of the oath of office to incumbent Board Members Dianna Barley and Brittany Maniscalco and new Board Member Gregg Warner, who will be taking the place of the recently retired Dr. Joseph Shivers, for their terms beginning Jan. 1.
Personnel items approved included payscale increases for Vince Nittolli, Kylie Baker, Matthew Yanek, Timothy Taafe and Ashley Kekel; the retirement of Southeast Elementary teacher Mary Beth Shivers; the creation of a four-hour classified duty aide position for a bus attendant on the Day Care route; and athletic supplemental positions for the spring 2023-2024 season, the list of certified substitutes and staff for the Reilly Elementary Yoga Club.
Administrative items approved included second readings of policy and procedures concerning Post-Issuance Compliance Policy outlining the policies and procedures to promote compliance with federal income tax and securities laws, as well as requirements set forth in the bond documents for each bond issue; legal assistance fees to the Ohio School Board Association Legal Assistance Fund for calendar year 2024 in the amount of $250; the school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year; acceptance of a $500 donation by the Salem Methodist Women to be used toward unpaid cafeteria accounts; the Salem High School Girls Softball trip to the Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee March 27, 2024, through April 1, 2024; Activity Fund Proposals for the 2023-2024 school year; a resolution to make provisional changes to board policies and administrative guidelines and forms to comply with structural changes to the Department of Education enacted by the passage of House Bill 33; a memorandum of understanding between the Salem City School District and the City of Salem for school resource officer services; the Reilly Elementary Yoga Club; and one-time retention payments of $500 to the employees of the Hannah E. Mullins School of Practical Nursing that were employed as of Nov. 30, 2023.