SALEM — The foundation for the Salem City School District’s new K-8 school building is more than halfway complete.

Superintendent Sean Kirkland told the board of education in its October meeting that the project had been “very lucky” with the weather conditions that month, noting that the project was “getting very exciting at this point.” He said that approximately 60% of the footers for the building had been poured, and that blocks had begun to be laid. He also said that the district would be able to use the excavated topsoil and clay from preparing the site as fill dirt in the demolition of Reilly Elementary rather than needing to purchase dirt.

The board also approved several personnel and administrative items.

Personnel items approved included: athletic supplementals for the 2025-2026 school year; a continuing contract for Ashley O’Brien for the 2026-2027; staff for the Crisis Prevention Institute de-escalation and restraint training course; the hire of Auxiliary Clerk Nicole Stryffeler; the resignation of Transportation Secretary Jody Edie; and the hire of Licensed School Psychologist Larry Truzzie to provide counseling services for St. Paul’s students at a rate of $300 per day for 1 day per week up to 36 days during the 2025-2026 school year.

Administrative items approved included: an agreement with the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities to provide educational services for the 2025-2026 school year; the Interdistrict Service Area Agreement with Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio on behalf of the East Cleveland City School District at Carrington Youth Academy for the 2025-2026 school year; a memorandum of understanding with the Family Recovery Center; a reimbursement to a parent of incurred costs related to a student; an in lieu of transportation payment to Caleb Miller; a Columbiana County Educational Service Center Governing Board service agreement between the ESC Governing Board and St. Paul’s School for Title I, Remedial, and Intervention for the 2025-2026 school year.

The meeting concluded with an executive session for the discussion of the employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of an employee or official, or the investigation of charges against an employee or official with no action to follow.

The board of education will meet next at 7 p.m. Nov. 10.

mahart@mojonews.com