A standing-room-only crowd filled the Salem Community Center Wednesday night as Salem United outlined its effort to keep a public elementary school operating in Salem after Salem Elementary closes at the end of the current school year.
Salem United is working to establish a nonprofit organization and apply to operate an independent public charter school beginning in the fall of 2027.
The group is working under a tight timeline. Salem United representatives said they are pursuing an accelerated path that could allow the charter school to open immediately following Salem Elementary’s closure. To do that, the group must submit its state charter application by November 2, with a decision expected early next year.
That deadline is also driving discussions with the Mount Pleasant Community School District. Salem United has been meeting with Superintendent Dr. Sharon Dentlinger and plans to appear before the Mount Pleasant School Board at its October 12 meeting.
One major issue still to be resolved is the Salem Elementary property. Salem United said its preferred and most practical path would have the Mount Pleasant district transfer the school buildings and land to the City of Salem, with Salem United then operating the charter school in cooperation with the city. That proposal has not been approved and would require action by both the school district and city.
Nine members of Salem United’s founding board attended Wednesday’s hour-long forum, with Cory and Katie Westphal leading much of the discussion.
The proposed charter school would initially continue Salem Elementary’s current kindergarten-through-fifth-grade model. Representatives said they want to get the school established first and potentially expand its offerings in the future.
Charter schools are tuition-free public schools but operate independently from traditional school districts. They cannot select students based on academic or athletic ability, and if enrollment exceeds available space, admission is generally determined through a lottery.
Questions Wednesday included transportation, staffing, school safety and curriculum. Many details remain under development, although Salem United said it is considering a STEAM-based curriculum emphasizing science, technology, engineering, agriculture and mathematics.
But much of the conversation centered on preserving what those attending believe already makes Salem Elementary successful. Community members repeatedly spoke about the culture of the school and its close relationship with families and the Salem community. Salem United representatives believe that culture could help attract additional families looking for a smaller, community-centered public school option.
Representatives said some services could potentially be shared with the Mount Pleasant district. Under the current plan, students would attend the Salem charter school through fifth grade before continuing to Mount Pleasant Middle School.
Salem United’s goals also extend beyond the school. The group is working to establish a nonprofit organization focused more broadly on promoting and growing Salem and making the community a place where families want to live.
Wednesday’s forum was part of the charter application process and an opportunity to gauge community interest in keeping a school in Salem. Comments from those attending were largely supportive of continuing the effort.
Mount Pleasant School Board members Craig Hurd and Mark Overberg attended to listen, along with State Representative Jeff Shipley, Henry County Supervisor Steve Detrick and several candidates for public office.
With just over a month between Wednesday’s forum and the November 2 application deadline, Salem United representatives acknowledged there is considerable work still ahead. Their next major step comes October 12, when they plan to take the proposal before the Mount Pleasant School Board.