School Promotions 2026-2027

By Julie Oakes, The West Side Newspaper

Several West Salem schools will see new faces in administration, classrooms, and sports coaching this fall.

The biggest announcement is Mark Harris as the new principal at Straub Elementary School. Harris comes from North Salem High School, where he was assistant principal. According to the Salem-Keizer School District, Harris brings 23 years of experience teaching math, instructional coaching, work as a behavior specialist, and as assistant principal. Harris believes “strong relationships and a commitment to supporting the whole child are essential to student success,” according to the SKSD. He takes the place of Principal Denny McCarthy, who retired last year.

At Harritt Elementary, Terra Hernandez is a new assistant principal. Hernandez has more than 20 years of experience, most recently as assistant director of Special Programs for Central School District. She has been a grade school teacher and instructional and cognitive coach. She fills the spot left by Carrie Clancy, who will be the new principal at Pringle Elementary School in Salem.

Myers Elementary is among the few schools to add teaching staff. New this year are Stephanie Fisher in 1st grade and Julia Fineran teaching 3rd grade.

Brush College Elementary also has added two teachers, Amanda Nies in 4th grade and Amanda Davis in 1st grade.

West Salem High School has new coaches in some sports this fall. The new coaches are Matt Markle for cross country; Mattie Kelly for volleyball; Jeff Witherspoon for boys’ golf; Lexy Boynes for cheer squad, and Jason Searle for baseball. The coach for boys’ volleyball is not yet chosen.

These changes come under the cloud of budget and staffing cuts, and planned closure of eight Salem-Keizer elementary schools before the 2027-28 school year. The cuts are due to declining enrollment in the district, from 41,000 students in 2017-18 down to about 28,000. Decisions on which schools will close will be made around December, after a community input process this fall.

The new school year begins Sept. 8 for 6th and 9th grades, with grades 1-5, 7-8 and 10-12 starting Sept. 9. Kindergarten students begin Sept. 16.