The Salem High School Board has approved a wrestling program for the 2022-23 school year with the Salem Wrestling Club funding the program for the first three years.
Before the vote, Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering shared his concerns and support.
“I have some concerns about wrestling in terms of spreading out the athletes. But still recommending it for us to start because I have two sons, and this is not about me, but they participate in bowling and if the board hadn’t started a bowling program my sons wouldn’t have an activity so I think there is value in it.”
Tyler Vincent of the Wrestling Club announced at the Monday night meeting they have now finalized a yearlong lease to use the gym at St. Theresa Church for $400 a month to hold wrestling practices.
Detering says after the first three years, the school board will have to determine if they can run the program using only high school facilities or will have to continue renting space off-campus.
In other action, the board approved the school calendar for next school year. The first day for students will be August 16th. Christmas break will be from Tuesday, December 20th to Monday, January 3rd. There will be a full week off for spring.
The board approved a $151,082 contract with Security Alarm for the replacement of the fire alarm panel. It will not be proprietary so other companies would be able to work on it.
A second lawn mower was approved from Molenhour Power Equipment in Salem to allow two maintenance personnel to cut grass at the same time. The cost of the new mower will be $11,059.
The board approved the rehiring of non-tenured teachers. They are 4th year teachers Ford Barnfield, Justin Snow, and Lanelle Valdez, 3rd year teacher Hope
Kasen and 1st year teachers Ashley Bachman and Dakota Koehnke.
