Salem School District Thanks Voters

Submitted by Bernard Campbell, Chairman of the Salem School Board:

It is with a sense of awe and humble appreciation that the Salem School District, its staff and students extend their appreciation to the citizens of Salem for their overwhelming support of the District on Tuesday. Not only did the proposed renovation to Salem High School pass with astounding support, the District’s budget and its collective bargaining agreements were shown strong support as well. It is incumbent now on the District and its officials to justify the confidence citizens have placed in them by implementing the plans as approved. The District is pledged to meet the challenge.

With regard to the vote to approve the proposed renovations to Salem High School, it would be impossible to individually name or thank all those who were responsible for making this happen, however some special recognitions must be acknowledged:

• To members of the SHS Renovation Committee, including Michael Collins, Susan Desmet, Ed Lawlor, John Sytek, Chris Dodge, Tracy Collyer, Peter Morgan, and advisors Frank Monteiro, Gino Baroni, and Lance Whitehead who assisted in the formation and development of the renovation proposal.
• Architect Lance Whitehead from the firm of Lavallee Brensinger for his incorporation of facility needs into conceptual plans as well as his presentations at various meetings to explain how the plans fulfilled identified needs of the facility.
• Gino Baroni and others at Trident Project Advantage Group who, as the District’s Owner’s Project manger, validated the work of the architect and assisted in development of the project scope and budget.
• Salem High School CTE Director Chris Dodge, whose vision and preparation for the future renovation of the CTE Center at Salem High positioned the District to be ready when the State advanced its schedule of CTE financial assistance, so that Salem could be poised to receive nearly $11 Million Dollars in State aid for the project.
• Salem High School Principal Tracy Collyer and members of her staff who spent countless hours detailing the programming needs for a renovated high school and conducted countless tours of the facility for the general public.
• The Salem Budget Committee for their support of the bond initiative. 

In addition, the District is especially indebted to: 

• Superintendent Michael Delahanty, who orchestrated all phases of the development of the renovation plans, working with the renovation committee, state legislative leaders, project stakeholders and community and parent groups to build support for the project, coordinating public presentations and who demonstrated leadership that the project will be carried out in a competent, efficient and economical fashion. With the help of District financial staff, he prepared and presented financial options and demonstrated the financial soundness and benefits of the project. 
• Strengthen our Schools and its leaders Sherry Kilgus-Kramer, Melissa Sorcinelli, Kristine Nippert, Amy Healey, and others who led an amazing coordination of parent and community support without which, the project simply would not have received the endorsement of district voters. 

With the passage of the SHS Renovation article, work now begins in earnest to turn the concept plans into a reality. The complex task of creating the necessary construction detail drawings for the substantial project will begin right away, but, as noted in all public presentations, visible work on the site itself is likely at least 12 months away. The District is committed to providing ongoing updates of progress as we move into the construction phase. Information will continue to be available on the district website (www.sau57.org).