Parents urge board to delay girls’ basketball merger vote, cite missing numbers and students’ interests

Several parents asked the board to reconsider a proposed girls’ basketball merger with Cambridge and said the district lacked timely outreach and a formal survey of families before the previous meeting. One parent told the board the next season would have only about 10 students in Salem’s varsity/upper levels and listed players by name, saying those seniors and rising juniors have invested in the program and deserve consideration.

The parent said repeated board statements that parents and athletes had been consulted were inaccurate in her experience. “I have asked all but one parent, and I’ve asked the athletes, and none of them have ever had that conversation,” the parent told the board and went on to name students she said would be affected: “their names are Sofia Keys, Cameron Gillis, Reagan Jackson, Mackenzie Goldier, Riley Gallagher, Maddie Movie, Sophia Shaw.”

Board members acknowledged the concerns and said more data and outreach would be helpful going forward. The public commenter recommended the board delay or seek more complete enrollment and survey data before finalizing merger plans so students and families have time to respond.