Salem, MA — City and school officials in Salem are moving forward with a proposal to construct a brand-new high school on the current Salem High School campus, a decision that will ultimately rest in the hands of voters during a citywide ballot expected early next year.

The recommendation to build a new facility, rather than renovate the aging existing structure, was made following a detailed evaluation process conducted in partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The MSBA provides state reimbursement for approved school construction projects, making its support a key factor in moving the plan forward.

Salem Superintendent Steve Zrike explained that new construction was determined to be more cost-effective and less disruptive than renovation alternatives. The new build would take approximately 30 months to complete once approved, significantly less than the estimated 48-month timeline required for a full renovation — which would have meant extended periods of dislocation for students and staff.

"A shorter timeline also means lower costs," Zrike said. "The only option that would have potentially been lower cost than new construction would have been a code upgrade, which is a longer timeline and was not the preferred choice because it would not have met the educational needs identified throughout this process."

According to current projections, construction would begin in 2028 and wrap up by 2030, provided the funding proposal is approved by voters in 2026.

The new high school plan envisions a modern educational facility that not only supports academic excellence but also enhances athletic and arts opportunities for Salem students. Zrike noted that the design calls for significant improvements to the school’s athletic infrastructure, including:

• Two soccer/lacrosse fields
• Overlapping baseball and softball fields
• Tennis courts with a pickleball overlay

An indoor fieldhouse is also planned, which would feature a regulation-size basketball court, cross courts, dedicated space for physical education classes, a strength and conditioning area, rooms for cheer and wrestling programs, and an elevated walking track for community use.

In addition to athletics, arts and career preparation are central to the vision.

The campus would include a state-of-the-art auditorium and expanded spaces for music, visual arts, and theater. Career and technical education (CTE) classrooms will be embedded throughout the building to support hands-on learning in both traditional academics and CTE pathways.

"Integrated strategically throughout the building to respond to the interest in having innovative approaches to teaching and learning in academic and career and technical pathways," Zrike said.

To ensure community input is part of the process, Salem Public Schools will host a public forum on June 3 at the Senior Life Center on Bridge Street. Residents will have an opportunity to learn more about the plan from school officials, architects, and project managers.

"We want not just Salem Public Schools families to attend — of course, they are welcome," Zrike said. "But members of the whole community, any resident, to get more information from elected officials, from school officials, from our architect, the designer, as well as our project manager."

The new construction initiative comes after years of debate in Salem over how best to modernize the city’s high school facilities to meet current and future educational needs. The current building, which has served generations of Salem students, is aging and no longer aligns with the district’s goals for 21st-century learning.

If approved, the new high school will represent one of the city’s largest educational infrastructure investments in recent history, with state reimbursement helping to offset a portion of the cost. Final design details, total costs, and the full funding plan will be shared with the public ahead of the citywide vote in early 2026.

Originally reported by Scott Souza in Patch.