One of my favorite things about this work is watching our school leaders take their craft seriously. This month, I want to share what's happening behind the scenes as we work toward one of our most important district goals: instructional leadership excellence.
Our Leaders Are Doing the Work
Our principals and assistant principals are committed to being present in classrooms every single week. Learning walks — where school leaders observe instruction and provide feedback — are happening consistently across all three of our schools. This isn't just a requirement; it's a sign of leaders who believe that showing up matters. If our principals are in classrooms, then our teachers will feel supported, and our students benefit.
Our school leadership teams are also meeting monthly to dig into student data. These conversations are focused and purposeful — looking at what students are learning, where they need more support, and how we adjust our plan. Speaking of data, on February 18, our Leadership PLC — made up of our Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning & Innovation, Director of Special Education, our principals, and assistant principals — came together for a Data Summit from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Each school team reviewed their fall and winter iReady diagnostic results in both reading and math, alongside classroom walkthrough data. The goal was simple but powerful: use real information to make smarter decisions for the rest of this school year. I am incredibly proud of the focus and dedication our leadership team brings to this work.
A Transition at Salem High School
This month, I also want to share some important news about Salem High School. Principal Mulhorn has announced his retirement after an extraordinary 32 years in education. His commitment to students, staff, and this community has left a lasting mark, and we are grateful beyond words for everything he has given to Salem City School District.
As we celebrate his legacy, we are also moving forward with a thoughtful and inclusive process to select our next high school principal. Here is where we are in that process:
- Stakeholder forums held on February 17
- Applications are due on March 9
- Phone screening interviews will take place March 9–10
- Round 1 panel interviews are scheduled for March 20
Our interview panel includes nine individuals who represent the heart of our school community: a Board of Education member, two students, a parent, a support staff member, two teachers, our Assistant Superintendent, and me. We will also conduct social media, reference, and background checks as part of our thorough review. Following Round 1, finalists will complete performance tasks in a second round of interviews before a recommendation is made and brought to the Board of Education for approval.
This is an important leadership transitions, and we will approach it with care, community voice, and a clear commitment to excellence.
Thank you for your continued trust and support. Salem City School District is a special place, and the people who lead our schools every day are proof of that.
