News – Wednesday, October 14th, 2026

The Salem R-80 District Board of Education will conduct its regular monthly meeting today beginning at 5:30 in the evening. This meeting will take place at the Salem R-80 Administration Office and is open to the public until closed. After approval of agenda and consent agenda, Superintendent Nathan Wills will read communications received from Kim and Dee Moser. Students of Salem Upper Elementary will then be recognized by the board. Wills will make his report, which will then be followed by administration board reports. Under new business, there will be a first read of policy updates. Then, the board will consider adoption of a local compliance plan consistent with the 2025 Missouri state plan for special education. The board is to then consider a bid for the agricultural program barn, alongside a bid for the parking lot of Salem Upper Elementary. Approval of electronic payments will also be considered along with declaring itemized district property as surplus. Through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO), the board is to consider the opening of the Salem FBLA Student Opportunity Fund. A bus purchase is also to be considered for approval. Non-certified staffing changes will then be presented before the board moves into executive session for the purposes of discussing personnel and student issues.

The City of Salem’s Utility Committee will be holding a meeting tonight at 6:15 in the evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium. This meeting is open to the public. After approval of the agenda, any public comments will be heard. Previous meeting minutes will then be approved before a report is given by Utility Committee Chair Alderman Nathan Kinsey. The committee will then discuss utility meter testing and then receive reports including financial updates, billing updates, MMMPEP & MPUA meeting notes, and work reports from utility crew members. Current utility CIP information will also be discussed. The committee will then adjourn.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Tuesday night. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board approved a bid from Scenic Rivers Vehicle Outfitters at $18,887.78 for patrol vehicle upfits, to include equipment, labor, pickup and delivery of two patrol vehicles. The board also voted to reject the sole bid received for cold mix asphalt from Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. at $165 a ton. Public Works Director Paine explained the bid was nearly twice the average cost of cold mix, and the company operates out of St. Louis, making the transfer of the material costly, as well. The board approved a bid from Cogent for soft start for Well No. 6 at $7,000. A proposal from Virginia Lamb regarding a little free library at Craig Plaza was tabled in order to request more information. Community support applications were then considered, with the total requested from all organizations at $27,500; the budgeted amount is $20,000. The organizations of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Salem Mo. Fireworks, and Salem Area Community Betterment Association (SACBA) each requested $5,000, while the Dent Co. Extension requested $12,500. The board approved providing each organization the amount of $5,000. The board then discussed the selection process and service needs required of the next city attorney, as City Attorney James Weber will be moving on beginning next year. City Administrator Sally Burbridge asked the board to consider what qualifications are sought in the next city attorney. A Request For Qualifications will be advertised soon for the position. After candidates apply, it will be a mayoral appointment with board approval. Under reports of city officials, Burbridge reminded the board to submit any changes or additions to the list of the city’s legislative priorities. Public Works Director Steve Paine reminded residents not to blow leaves or yard waste into the streets, as this can impact the stormwater system. Alderwoman Catherine Dent reported that the DCAWS building has been given to Ozark Pet Rescue. Plans to reopen the building are in the works and will be announced at a later time. The board then adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be 6:00 in the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 27th. To watch a livestream of Tuesday’s meeting, or future city meetings, visit the City of Salem YouTube page at youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri.