SALEM — Parents of Salem students were reminded to set up accounts for a new busing app being utilized by the district this year in the board of education’s meeting Monday.

Superintendent Sean Kirkland said that parents should have received an email to the account the district has on file for them inviting them to set up their account with BusRight. Kirkland said that the app would give parents information about their student’s busing to and from school like when and where their designated pickup and drop-off locations are, and which bus they will ride. Kirkland also said that the app would let their parents track where their students were while riding the bus in real-time, noting that the app refreshes every few seconds.

Kirkland said that the app was “very user friendly” and urged parents to spend some time searching for any information they need or trying to resolve issues before calling the district for assistance. Kirkland asked those who do require assistance to route their calls through the bus garage as they would best be able to assist.

During his report Kirkland reiterated that the groundbreaking ceremony for the district’s new K-8 school building will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 20 at 2002 Whinnery Road, the former Whinnery Farm, noting that special invitations had been sent out to people who have assisted with the project. Kirkland also reiterated that the board, children of any district staff members, and the public are welcome to attend the ceremony.

He also wished the Hannah E. Mullins School of Practical Nursing (HEMSPN) “all the best going forward” as it completes its relocation the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, noting that it had always been a wonderful partner during its time as part of the district and that he appreciated the choice to retain the Hannah E. Mullins name. Kirkland said that in recent years approximately 90% of HEMSPN’s student were coming from Mahoning and Trumble counties so when financial concerns arose it was natural to shift its location to serve those students. Treasurer Mike Douglas said that when he was last updated on HEMSPN that the relocation had already seen their enrollment for the year double.

The board also approved several administrative and personnel items.

Administrative matters approved included: transportation routes for the 2025-2026 school year; in lieu of transportation payments for the 2025-2026 school year; a contract with the GCL Education Services, LLC., LEAP Program for the 2025-2026 school year; service agreement between the Columbiana County Educational Service Center Governing Board Governing Board and the Salem City School District Board of Education for participation in Project Inspire; service agreement with Mahoning Valley Community School Governing Board for the 2025-2026 school year; participation in federal programming for the 2025-2026 school year; the Transfer Agreement for Hannah E. Mullins School of Practical Nursing with Mahoning County Career & Technical Center; FMLA leave for Logan Goist; the award of a Salem Education Association bid to the School Counselor Kent Paulini; and Fall game workers for the 2025-2026 school year.

Personnel matters approved included: pay scale increases for Jeffrey Andres, Juli Hochadel, Kaylin McClaugherty, and Lindsay Gates; a continuing contract for Alec Ring; the hire of Bus Garage Custodian Mary Groff; maternity leave for Renee Weeda from November 2025 until March 2026; athletic supplementals for 7th grade Boys Basketball Coach Trent Tice and 8th Grade Boys Basketball Coach Dave Warren; fall game worker positions for the 2025 Fall athletic season; and the resignations of Cafeteria Server Lanette Elasivich, and Cafeteria Cashier Beth Risbeck.

The board of education will meet next at 7 p.m. Sept. 15.