Salem High Principal Selection Expected This Week

SALEM, MA — Salem High could have a new principal within the week.

Salem Superintendent of Schools Steve Zrike said feedback on the three finalists was to be accepted through Sunday and that he is hopeful an offer will be extended and accepted by Wednesday.

The district's search to replace Samantha Meier, who said in March she was resigning effective at school year's end for family reasons, included a series of school visits and interviews with students, faculty and staff this week. A virtual public forum was held with each
candidate following his respective visit.

Haverhill High principal Glenn Burns, McCormack Middle School of Boston principal Elvis Henriquez and Malden High principal Chris Mastrangelo were the three finalists out of a pool of 19 applicants. A fourth finalist who was not identified withdrew from consideration.

Those wishing to provide feedback on the hiring process and any of the candidates can do so here by Sunday.

Zrike also formally presented a $66 million budget to the School Committee this week and said the final budget is expected to be approved on May 17.

He said that figure does not include $15 million in federal funds from the America Recovery Act. He said those funds will come in two large installments over the next two years.

"We have to be careful with that because anything we invest in, if we want to sustain it, the money will then go away and we face a budget cliff," he said.

Zrike said during his weekly Facebook Live session with families he was happy that all high school students who wanted to return to the classroom were able to do so in the district this week for the first time in more than 13 months.

He said about 75 percent of students are back full-time with 25 percent remaining remote through the end of the school year.

"It's been a long-time coming," he noted. "I think we've all grown weary of what COVID has done."

Along those lines, Zrike is encouraging all high school age 16 or over to get vaccinated against the virus. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only approved for those 16 and 17 years old, while Moderna and J&J are approved for all those 18 or older.

He said the district is looking into having a high school vaccination clinic to make it easier for students to get their shots.

Zrike also noted updated guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on what constitutes a "close contact" in school buildings and on buses. As of this week, only those within 3 feet of someone who is positive for the coronavirus for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period is considered a close contact and must quarantine.

Those up to 6 feet will be notified of the exposure, but do not have to quarantine.

Those who have been vaccinated also do not have to quarantine.

Zrike said about 95 percent of school faculty and staff have been vaccinated against the virus as of this week.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

More Patch Coverage: Salem High Principal Finalists From Boston, Malden, Haverhill