Salem School Committee Votes To Offer Top Job To Boston Administrator
Salem's School Committee moved this week to hire a Boston Public Schools administrator as the district's next superintendent, even as City Hall pushed through a run of civic milestones — a Beautification Committee figurehead vote, a City Hall-hosted field day, and a heat-relief push from the fire department.
TOWN HALL
Voting closed today in the Beautification Committee's "Ladies of Salem" figurehead poll, with the top six vote-getters set to ride the Beautification Committee float in the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade on Aug. 1 — an event whose registration has already drawn more than 50 community groups as it nears capacity. The city also hosted its free Salem 400+ Family Field Day at Forest River Park today, offering field games, pool access and a kickball tournament for families.
Elsewhere at City Hall, the Salem Fire Department continued its schedule of "Soak the Kids" events this week to help residents beat the summer heat, and the city is accepting nominations for its annual Sam Zoll Civic Leadership Award, honoring a resident who strengthens the community through public service, volunteering or civic engagement — nominations are due Aug. 14, according to Salem Patch, a call the city's own News Flash also promoted today.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Salem Picks Boston Schools Leader As New Superintendent," Salem Patch reported, saying the School Committee voted this week to offer its top job to Thomas Welch, an associate superintendent with Boston Public Schools. In a companion piece headlined "'Deeply Humbled': Welch Vows To Bring 'Student-Centered Leadership' To Salem Schools," Patch reports Welch pledged to center students in his approach if the appointment is finalized (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"Salem Willows To Host Annual Black Community Gathering," according to Salem Patch, which reports the city says the annual gathering returns this Saturday, with reminders posted about parking and cleanup for visitors (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
"Salem Teacher Sandra Castillo Honored At State House Shine Awards," Salem Patch reports — the Collins Middle School math teacher was among 57 Latino educators recognized at the State House this week (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/salem).
COMING UP
City crews are scheduled to begin a planned water-infrastructure project Monday, July 13, replacing nine critical valves in Salem's water distribution system, officials said, part of an effort to shore up equipment essential to the city's water service.