SALEM — Schools Superintendent Sean Kirkland discussed the Salem City School District’s State Report Card in the board of education’s September meeting.

Kirkland said while the district would be evaluating its graduation rate and gap closing, areas identified as needing improvement and meeting state standards, in the district’s state report card, did not accurately or evenly represent districts across the state. Kirkland expressed that report card fails to consider unique circumstances within each district, while he and other administrators do understand such reasons.

“I have a hard time talking about the report card because it tries to judge our staff and our teachers, and our community, on basically a single day. When they’re able to make the report card even –the playing field even across the state in every aspect –then you can compare me to other schools. Until they can do that, I don’t really care what that report card says,” said Kirkland.

Kirkland also championed the district not only as a place for students to learn but for educators to work.

“With that being said, all I’ll say about Salem City Schools and our report card is this is the greatest place to work and go to school and we’ll continue along that vein,” said Kirkland.

During his report, Kirkland updated the board on the district’s ongoing wellness center and K-8 school building projects. Kirkland said that all the building’s sidewalks had been poured save those on the building’s south side where HVAC equipment still needs to be brought into the building. A cement pad for the equipment had been poured. The side of the building set to be taken up by the center’s multi-purpose gym was nearly completed.

“We’re just about complete over there expect for the floor, and the floor cannot go in until the HVAC system’s been on for at least a week, so the environment is steady,” said Kirkland.

The other side of the building — where cardio and weight equipment will be located –has “reached the point where drywall is going in and they’re finishing the ceilings across the locker rooms and the hallway,” he added, with the full project set to be finished soon.

“Things are moving along at lightning speed, and we should be finished here in another few weeks,” said Kirkland.

Progress is also continuing on schedule on the K-8 school project, with Kirkland noting that cost estimates were expected to arrive prior to the board’s next meeting, after which he would provide further information.

“We are at a point right now where estimates are going to come in, and once they come in we’ll see if we’re over budget, initial impressions are that we will be over budget significantly, and then we evaluate from there out and I’ll provide you with a report once we get to that point,” said Kirkland.

Kirkland also offered condolences to the families of two recently-passed Quakers in former bus driver Sue Davidson, and former teacher of 22 years Cindy O’Brian.

“Sue Davidson has been driving buses in this district for as long as I can remember. Sue was absolutely a mainstay not only in Salem City Schools but in this community and she’s going to be sadly missed… I had the opportunity of coaching Cindy’s kids and I’ve known the family well, another Quaker family member we’re going to miss. To her husband Doug, and her sons Michael and Matt, are feelings are with them as well,” said Kirkland.

The board of education will meet next 7 p.m. Oct. 21.

mahart@mojonews.com