Strengthen Our Schools is an independent citizens' action group promoting excellence in public education through communication, advocacy, and outreach to build a stronger community.

Welcome to 'Strengthen Our Schools' in Salem, NH

'Strengthen Our Schools' is a local group of citizens who uphold quality education in the Town of Salem, New Hampshire. We support improvements in our public school district and are in favor of change by communicating and educating citizens on important public school and education issues facing the greater Salem community.  Our current interests are the Facility Renovation Project and the District In Need of Improvement (DINI) designation.  Please read our site for more information, and email us your questions.

2012 Poll Results for School Articles by Voting District

 Here are the results from the March 2012 Voting by Voting District

SOS Official Position Statement March 15, 2012

'Strengthen Our Schools' is committed to advocating for, and providing information relevant to, projects and initiatives that support quality education in Salem, New Hampshire.  Our recent focus has been the passage of Phase 2 of the facility renovations and staff raises.  Now that the election is over, we will be shifting our focus to other projects as determined by our board.  We have not initiated, nor are we advocating for, any activities resulting from the local election process on Tuesday, March 13th.

Current Enrollments & Educational Adequacy Drive Phase 2 Renovations

We’ve been hearing it for months  – enrollments have been declining recently. But this has happened in the past, and enrollments in Salem have always increased again. Case in point: Haigh School was closed in the 1980s for one year. When it reopened as an elementary school in 1987, there were about 1440 elementary students in the district. By 1993, 5 years later, there were 1770 students, and classroom additions were needed. Thirty-year enro

10 Good Reasons to Vote for Phase 2!

 

  1. Phase 1 schools are completed – on time and within budget – same plan, same architect
  2. Benefit from a fiscally conservative plan - construction costs and bond rates are low – we could save $6 million by approving it now (based on conservative assumptions of increasing construction costs and interest rates) 
  3. Eliminate $40,000 in annual lease costs of portable classrooms  

Exercise Your Right to Vote: Make a Difference in Your Community

Tuesday, March 13th is voting day in Salem. Our form of government makes it possible for you to help determine what happens with our school government. What does March 13th mean for you? You can make a difference by participating in the process and making decisions on important issues that come to the ballot in the form of “warrant articles”. That is what our town meeting form of government is all about, and it is the right of every citizen age 18 or higher in the Town of Salem.

Not In Town March 13th? Vote by Absentee Ballot!

If you will not be in town on March 13th, if your work schedule does not permit, or if you know you won't be able to get to the polls because of other commitments, please vote by absentee ballot.  It's just as easy as getting to the polls!
  

Inadequate Educational Spaces Contribute to Significant Inequity

Phase 2 of the Salem school renovations is vital to correcting the current state of Salem’s three un-renovated elementary facilities: 

  • Schools do not meet current code safety standards: Classrooms do not have sprinkler systems or fire alarms, and many still contain asbestos.
  • Infrastructure is in real need of repair and upgrading, resulting in air quality issues.

Property Values Benefit from Renovated Schools & Quality Teachers

Property values go up with good schools. Young families looking for a home indicate schools as one of their top priorities when buying a home. Investing in our school system attracts young families and contributes to building enrollments as homes come on the market. It also supports a more economically vital community.
 

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