Salem School Committee Statement on Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike
While we are incredibly sorry to lose Superintendent Zrike here in Salem, we recognize that he is one of our Commonwealth’s foremost leaders when it comes to public education and that all Massachusetts’ students and school districts will benefit from his leadership as our next Secretary of Education.
Superintendent Zrike leaves the Salem Public Schools in a far stronger place than when he started. Today, SPS is the top performing Gateway City school district in Massachusetts, with academic achievement and attendance rates exceeding pre-pandemic levels and a growing enrollment. We have established new programs for career education, community-wide PreK, and middle school learning that have become models across Massachusetts, and we have made strong progress in educator diversity and retention, as well as high school graduation rates.
Through Superintendent Zrike’s leadership, Salem Public Schools have leapt to the front of the line, becoming Massachusetts’ premiere urban school district while staying grounded in student belonging and educational excellence. Our schools could not be better positioned for continued success and growth, and for that we’re grateful to Superintendent Zrike.
At its next regular meeting, the School Committee anticipates appointing an Interim Superintendent, as we prepare for a thoughtful, thorough, and community-centered process to select our next Superintendent.
Salem Public Schools are in a place of incredible strength and stability thanks to Superintendent Zrike and to the countless educators, community members, caregivers, and students with whom he has collaborated these past six years. We are confident that the progress and success of our district will continue.
The Salem School Committee is committed to building upon our strong foundation and is enthusiastic about working with the community to begin our next chapter.
