Latest issueSalem delays its AI data center vote until ThursdayRead now

Daily SalemSubscribe — it’s free

← Salem news

SchoolsWednesday, November 11

Salem-Keizer families push back as the district weighs closing six elementary schools

The Daily Salem teamFrom today’s edition · 1 min read · 4 sources

ShareEmailFacebookX

If your kid goes to Brush College, Candalaria, Cummings, Englewood, Liberty or Richmond, the clock is ticking. Salem-Keizer Public Schools has recommended closing all six at the end of the 2026-27 school year, and the school board's final vote is slated for Dec. 8.

At least 6,000students Salem-Keizer has lost since its 2018 peak

District spokesperson Aaron Harada described 2018 as the peak, with about 42,000 students.

Source: The Tennessean

Families aren't staying quiet. A Candalaria fifth grader urged the board to reconsider at its Oct. 13 meeting, and some Cummings parents say the district used inaccurate data and have formally asked that the school come off the list. Parent Nick Sayen told the board the path could lead to "a failed bond."

  • Deferred maintenance cited: $15 million
  • Next bond: November 2027 ballot
  • Facility needs behind that bond: $1.5 billion

Voters narrowly approved the $620 million bond in 2018, and several of the six schools got bond-funded improvements. Some families now question whether they'll back another.

Voters narrowly approved the 2018 school bond

Source: The Tennessean

View as table
AmountShare
Yes53%53%
No47%47%

Sources: Salem Reporter, Wolverines Wire, The Tennessean

Read it in the full edition

More from today’s edition

Read the edition
City HallSalem City Council delays its vote on a rule that could block the Mill Creek data centerSalem City Council hit pause Monday night on a vote that could block Verrus' Oakline at Mill Creek AI data center. After more than two hours of testimony on Nov. 9, councilors voted 7-0 to close the public hearing and keep the written record open. City Attorney Dan Atchison proposed the delay to give councilors time with a large amount of written testimony.Today’s editionRead

More schools from local newsrooms

All schools news

  1. Salem Reporter12 hours ago

    “The year of sadness”: Salem-Keizer elementary students confront the possible loss of their school

    Since the Oct. 9 announcement, 1,392 students at Brush College, Candalaria, Cummings, Englewood, Liberty and Richmond have been in limbo, waiting to see what decisions are made by the district and Salem-Keizer School Board.

  2. Salem Reporter15 hours ago

    Cummings Elementary parents say school doesn’t meet district’s criteria for closure

    Parents and Keizer residents seeking to save Cummings Elementary School from closure have requested school district officials and board members reconsider their findings on traffic at the school.

  3. Portland Mercury20 hours ago

    Good Morning, News: Families Fear PPS Closures Will Cause Difficult School Commutes, Hegseth in the Hot Seat, and What the Heck is "Permitting Reform"?

    If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution to the Mercury, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! Good morning, Portland! It’s Tuesday again, so here I am. Today is set to be slightly warmer than usual for this time

  4. Salem ReporterNov. 9

    More elementary, middle school closures on horizon, Salem-Keizer leaders tell Chamber of Commerce

    District officials also said they would consider asking for bond money to build a new school in order to consolidate multiple other elementary schools needing major repairs.