Salem Central board votes to observe Juneteenth; district office to be closed

The Salem Central School District Board voted unanimously to observe Juneteenth on June 19, 2024, closing the district office and campus while permitting public events such as baseball games to proceed.

The superintendent explained that Juneteenth is now a federal and state holiday and that district contracts for some employee units do not currently recognize the holiday for 10‑month employees or management/confidential staff. “I would encourage a consideration of of closing the district that day,” the superintendent said, while urging the board to adopt a resolution so the district can handle contractual obligations and provide floating holidays or alternative arrangements for staff required to work.

The board moved to adopt language that closes the district office and the campus for the day; the motion was seconded and carried 5–0. Administrators said they will clean up the resolution language to specify that campus events may continue and that covered staff who must work could receive a floating holiday or equivalent time off.

What’s next: The administration will finalize resolution language and clarify contract implications for impacted employee groups and any necessary board action to modify future calendars or contractual language.