Salem High School Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering says the school’s committee working on COVID-19 response has recommended the school continue to operate on the shortened day schedule.
Detering explained the decision after Monday night’s school board meeting.
“We like what the shortened day gives us as far as safety for students because we don’t have students have to take their masks off to eat lunch. We still offering lunch in a grab-and-go situation and we feel like that’s what is in the student’s best interest is concerned. We also talked to the teachers and they felt like they were able to cover a very similar amount of material they normally would cover even though it’s a seven-minute shorter period.”
Detering announced the last day of school for students would be May 19th, with teachers wrapping up on May 20th.
He noted current COVID-19 restrictions continue to limit inside attendance at events to 50. If that doesn’t change, Detering says graduation will have to be moved outside to the football field and Prom would move to A Fair Barn. He noted loosening of restrictions would allow for a larger number to attend Prom this year.
Principal John Boles announced with the start of the 4th quarter on Monday, another 43 students had returned from full remote learning leaving the total on full remote learning at 105.
Following closed session, the board hired Dakota Koenke as a math teacher for the next school year.
The board rehired five teachers to return for a fourth year. They are Tony Farthing, Jason Jette, Kelsey Pogue, Samantha Reynolds and Brendon Sharp. The board rehired Ford Barnfield, Justin Snow, and Lanelle Valdez as third-year teachers. Hope Kasten was hired as a second-year teacher.
