Summer school returns to Salem!

“We want to spread the word…we are back, we are back on track!”

Salem School District

Superintendent

 Dr. David Milz

 

By Annette Newcomb~Editor

Usually the thought of summer school brings on moans and groans from those sentenced to spend hot summer days toiling over textbooks.

But this year there were far more cheers then jeers at Salem. The return of summer school is a sure sign the school has turned a corner on its hard economic times, brought on by a failed referendum in 2009.

When the referendum failed at Salem Grade School, belts were tightened and the death knell rang for anything that wasn’t required by state or federal law.

Gone were the extra curricular items like art, band sports. Field trips were a thing of a past. It was back to bare bones.

The Salem Boosters Club organized and through many parent volunteer hours, some of the extra came back but the school was still not operating as it once was.

That situation changed two weeks ago when the school board learned the summer school program would return this summer.

Salem Superintendent David Miltz said, “Not only will the programs be offered to help students with their reading and math, we will be able to offer enrichment programs.”

“No additional revenue is being used for this. A lot of things came into play this year, we had staff retire, the amount of benefits we pay have dropped off. We no longer have some obligations that kept use from offering extras,” Miltz said.

He noted the assessed valuation of the town has seen a reduction, which translated to more state aide for the school.

This year the lunch program will be contracted out to Aramark Food Services, based in Burlington. The current cafeteria workers have been offered the same position, salary and benefits, Miltz said. But the change will save the school funding.

“There’s a lot to be discussed, it’s an exciting time for the students

Many details were still being ironed out, Miltz said. The school intends on bringing sports back for the 2013-2014 school year. “This will mean all sports the school plays in the Westosha Athletic Conference.

Milz also voiced high praise for the Booster Club, which he said kept some extra afloat through sheer volunteer man-hours.

Over the next few months more information will be forth coming. Milz said many items that have been sorely missed in the school will be returning.

Salem School has 1,025 students and is a kindergarten through eight-grade school.

Salem School Board member Kim MacLeod said now that Salem School is on the come back trail, it’s important to spread the word.

“Open enrollment hurt Salem hard. When we lose students we lose money. But now that we are able to offer the extra items we lost several years ago, we are hoping students and their families will give us a second look.”

MacLeod said the students and staff are excited about the future. “We want to continue to grow and improve.”

MacLeod, who is serving her first three-year term on the board, said during a board meeting several weeks ago board members were told there was $100,000 available to reinstate or expand programs that had taken a hit when the referendum failed.

MacLeod is the first to admit there is much work to be done but said the school is on the right track and everyone is looking forward to a very bright future. “It’s time to turn things around,” she said.

To learn more about the Salem School District log on to www.salem.k12.wi.us.

Follow the link on the left side of the home page and listen to Salem Radio for music and school news.


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