Salem Central board approves multiple resignations, leaves and appointments
August 30, 2025 | SALEM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York
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The Salem Central School District board on a special meeting approved several personnel actions, including resignations, unpaid leaves of absence and new hires, and moved into executive session at the end of the public meeting to discuss personnel matters further.
The board chair led members through an addendum focused on staff changes and accepted the resignation of school nurse Sandy Ramer, effective Aug. 31, 2025. The board also approved an unpaid leave of absence for high school teacher Jason Ford from July 1, 2025, through the end of the second semester on Jan. 23, 2026. In a linked action the board appointed Julie Collier Scott Jones, initially certified in social studies for grades 7–12, as a long-term substitute to replace Ford from Aug. 27, 2025, until Jan. 23, 2026, or upon Ford's return; that service was explicitly noted as not creditable toward tenure and would be paid at a prorated step-two salary under the teachers contract. All motions carried, with the board recording a 5–0 approval on the personnel roster items.
The board approved additional personnel appointments for the 2025–26 school year: Julie Meiler and Aaron Underwood as co-coaches for unified bocce and Miriam Nestle as a mentor for an experienced teacher effective Aug. 25, 2025. The board also accepted the resignation of Mary Sweeney, teacher aide, effective Aug. 27, 2025, and approved support-staff hires—Roberto Sargood (cafeteria worker) and Lisa Grove (bus driver), both effective Sept. 2, 2025, with fingerprints pending where noted—and the appointment of Lisa Buck as a teacher-aide substitute effective Sept. 1, 2025.
On the health-services side, the board approved the appointment of Brady Nichols as school nurse, effective Sept. 2, 2025, at a salary of $48,491. Board members discussed reviewing Nichols’ training and credentials once he is onboarded; one member noted prior diabetes training and EMT experience but the board agreed to verify certifications and training records before finalizing his duties.
The chair closed the public session by moving the board into executive session to discuss employment matters for particular individuals; the chair said no action was anticipated on return.
What’s next: Personnel approvals and hires will proceed with standard onboarding (background checks and credential verification) and the district will handle any follow-up required after the executive-session discussion.
The board chair led members through an addendum focused on staff changes and accepted the resignation of school nurse Sandy Ramer, effective Aug. 31, 2025. The board also approved an unpaid leave of absence for high school teacher Jason Ford from July 1, 2025, through the end of the second semester on Jan. 23, 2026. In a linked action the board appointed Julie Collier Scott Jones, initially certified in social studies for grades 7–12, as a long-term substitute to replace Ford from Aug. 27, 2025, until Jan. 23, 2026, or upon Ford's return; that service was explicitly noted as not creditable toward tenure and would be paid at a prorated step-two salary under the teachers contract. All motions carried, with the board recording a 5–0 approval on the personnel roster items.
The board approved additional personnel appointments for the 2025–26 school year: Julie Meiler and Aaron Underwood as co-coaches for unified bocce and Miriam Nestle as a mentor for an experienced teacher effective Aug. 25, 2025. The board also accepted the resignation of Mary Sweeney, teacher aide, effective Aug. 27, 2025, and approved support-staff hires—Roberto Sargood (cafeteria worker) and Lisa Grove (bus driver), both effective Sept. 2, 2025, with fingerprints pending where noted—and the appointment of Lisa Buck as a teacher-aide substitute effective Sept. 1, 2025.
On the health-services side, the board approved the appointment of Brady Nichols as school nurse, effective Sept. 2, 2025, at a salary of $48,491. Board members discussed reviewing Nichols’ training and credentials once he is onboarded; one member noted prior diabetes training and EMT experience but the board agreed to verify certifications and training records before finalizing his duties.
The chair closed the public session by moving the board into executive session to discuss employment matters for particular individuals; the chair said no action was anticipated on return.
What’s next: Personnel approvals and hires will proceed with standard onboarding (background checks and credential verification) and the district will handle any follow-up required after the executive-session discussion.
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