Years of underfunding has lead to a widening gap between what schools need and what they’re getting, a new report says.
SCHOOLS
AGENDA: Salem-Keizer board to vote on concealed weapons ban
The Salem-Keizer School Board will vote Tuesday on a policy banning concealed weapons from district schools. Currently, state law prohibits open carry of guns in public buildings, which includes schools, with exceptions for law enforcement officers. That law does not apply to those with concealed carry licenses who have concealed weapons. The[Read More…]
Summer camp unites Latino Salemites to learn, play as families
Now in its second year, the program put on by the Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality blends reading and math with traditional dance and cuisine over a month of classes and field trips for parents and kids.
Two seniors hope to tackle mental health, bullying as student school board advisors
Raylin Brennan and Isaac McDonald will advise the Salem-Keizer School Board for the 2022-23 school year.
West Salem students take gold in medical, robotics competitions
West Salem High School’s winning EMT team at from the 2022 SkillsUSA national competition, from left: Natalie Stauffer, Madison Wilch, Lt. Jennifer Stanislaw, Advisor, Alexis Williams (Courtesy/Salem-Keizer School District) Local students are shining a little brighter this summer after taking home gold medals in a national competition. West Salem High[Read More…]
Salem high schools will keep “Gender Queer” on shelves following grandparent challenge
The graphic novel memoir “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobebe will remain in three Salem-Keizer high school libraries following a challenge by grandparents. Three Salem high schools will keep copies of the graphic novel “Gender Queer” in their libraries after a district committee voted unanimously against a parent’s request to remove[Read More…]
Salem-Keizer board discusses banning concealed weapons on school grounds
The Salem Keizer School Board is considering prohibiting concealed weapons on school grounds after a recent change in state law, with an initial discussion showing a political divide on the topic. During a work session Tuesday evening, Board Chair Osvaldo Avila cited Oregon Senate Bill 554 which passed in 2021[Read More…]
Salem teachers win back pay in complaint over full-time work calculations during pandemic
Dozens of Salem teachers will receive back pay for their work over the past two years after the Salem-Keizer Education Association prevailed in an unfair labor practice complaint. Administrative law judge Jennifer Kaufman ruled in May that the Salem-Keizer School District failed to bargain in good faith with the teacher[Read More…]
Assessing threats key to Salem’s school shooting prevention
Families wait on the lawn in front of North Salem High School to pick up students around 3 p.m. Friday, May 27, just after a lockdown caused by a man seen with a gun on campus was lifted (Ardeshir Tabrizian/Salem Reporter) Salem’s police chief says an existing local system to[Read More…]
Educators raise concerns about fights, assaults in Salem middle schools
A security guard patrols the hallway at Waldo Middle School on Friday, April 15, 2022 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) Salem schools are continuing to see high numbers of fights and aggressive behavior from students, prompting concerns from educators. The problem is especially pronounced in the district’s middle schools, which have recorded[Read More…]