Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Thanks to careful preparation and dedicated staff, Salem City Schools opened the 2025–26 school year on Monday with few hiccups and plenty of optimism, Superintendent Curtis Hicks said. The opening marks the earliest opening in the 44-year history of the division.
“Our schools kicked off the new school year with a remarkably smooth opening thanks to extensive summer planning, a productive teacher workweek, and our staff’s focus and dedication,” Hicks said.
According to the superintendent, the division is essentially fully staffed, with only a handful of instructional assistant positions still vacant. Salem also welcomed “an outstanding group of new teachers,” Hicks noted.
Transportation ran efficiently across the division’s six schools. Hicks praised the bus drivers and transportation department for their role in a successful opening. “While there were some minor delays as expected for the first days of school, these were few and far between,” he said.
Typical August heat created some warm afternoons in classrooms and on school buses. Still, Hicks said he was impressed by how quickly students and staff eased into the new routine. “It’s been exciting to see how quickly everyone has adjusted, making it hard to believe we’re only a few days into the school year,” he said.
Enrollment is expected to reach about 3,650 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade, including more than 100 preschoolers. Nearly 90% of families completed the school division’s annual online enrollment update before the first day — a record for Salem.
“For those who have not yet completed the update, please check your email for the enrollment update reminder,” Hicks said. “We’re grateful for such a strong start and excited for the year ahead!”
