Local News – Monday, February 20th, 2023
The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the District Administrative Offices. The board revised the minutes with two small word changes before two students were recognized: Xander During for being named to the All-State Band on the Contra-Alto Clarinet, and Neely Leathers named to the All-State Choir. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed gave an update on the Tin Gym as work is nearing completion as the batting cages have been ordered. Reed said the board needs to pay attention to legislative updates that could affect the school including a couple of bills that are dealing with reducing property tax as well as some senate and house bills on open enrollment for schools. She also said the MAP and APR results have been released to schools, but are embargoed until March 7th for the general public. They will be presented at the March meeting. The board approved assigning the 179D tax deduction allocation to ESP contractors for energy savings as the school cannot take them. The board then accepted the retirement of Melanie Wisdom as Upper Elementary School principal, the resignation of Tony Edwards as assistant football coach only, resignation of Mary Beth Patrick as the William Lynch Elementary School Yearbook sponsor, resignation of Brooke Rogers as the high school business teacher, resignation of Stephanie Martin-Dougal as a para-professional, and the resignation of Amy Combs as the Upper Elementary School nurse. In closed session, the board granted an exception to a long-term suspension policy, approved an employee stipend for required staff training, approved absorbing the bridges program, and approved making a change to an employee’s pay schedule from July through June. The board also approved employing Meg Swords as the middle school/high school Assistant Band Director as well as 6-12 general music teacher, approved employing Kristi Steelman as a High School Counselor, and approved extending the administrative contracts of William Lynch Elementary School Principal Herman Blau, High School Principal Tori Snitker, High School Assistant Principal Brendon Piatt and Athletic Director Clay Moody. The board also offered a one-year contract to Middle School Principal Sarah Russell and approved extending the administrative contract of Jody Heavin. The meeting was then adjourned.
The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of January. They had 106 traffic stops, investigated 13 accidents, responded to 19 ambulances calls, provided 16 escorts, made 20 well being checks and responded to 10 alarms. The Salem Police investigated 11 stealing incidents, seven domestic violence reports, two reports of fraud, five harassment charges, three assaults, wrote two property damage reports and made one death investigation. The Salem Police Department reported they had a total of 525 incidents for the month of January. The department was also dispatched for 29 animal calls and performed 61 follow-up investigations.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will meet Tuesday night at 6:00 at the hospital library. In the Administrator’s Report, the board will hear the summary of operations and statistics for the month of January as well as the Chief Nursing Officer report, a report on the 340B drug program, a Human Resources update and the hospital foundation report. After the Marketing and Community Relations report, old business will be addressed including the kitchen drain proposal, the clinic architect, finance committee dates, and the final approval of the Governing Body Bylaws. In New Business, the board will discuss the Election of a Secretary to the Governing Board, Medical Staff Bylaw review and approval, and purchases. The board may vote to go into closed session. The meeting Tuesday night of the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.