Salem Candidate Profile: Jim Fleming For School Committee

SALEM, MA — Salem will have several contested races in this fall's election, including a 11-way race for four at-large seats on City Council. The preliminary election on Sept. 17 will thin the field of at-large city councilor candidates to eight and the field of school committee candidates to six. Salem Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Jim Fleming, 77, was first elected to the Salem School Committee in 2003. He is one of seven candidates and two incumbents running for the three seats that are up for reelection this year. The preliminary election on Sept. 17 will thin the field, with the top six vote-getters appearing on the ballot in the general election on Nov. 5.

Are you running for office in Salem? Contact Dave Copeland at dave.copeland@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Salem Patch.

Previously on Patch: Salem Election 2019: Here's Who's Running

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The acceleration of the improvement in Salem’s schools. The District made substantial steps forward while completing the Accelerated Improvement Plan under the guidance from the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, this progress lost substantial momentum under the inept guidance of the last Superintendent of Schools and her leadership team. This loss of momentum must immediately be turned around. I will contribute to that turnaround by vigorously participating in the selection of a new Superintendent to begin work on July1,2020.(The District has a very competent interim Superintendent in place until that time). I will insist that the new Superintendent is one that is highly educated and has a Doctorate degree, has lengthy experience leading an urban school district, has experience in turning schools around and can create a new leadership team that will work effectively with our wonderful teachers.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I will not speak negatively about the other candidates running for the School Committee this year. I believe I certainly am the most qualified candidate by reason of education and vast experience as a School Committee member and past service in municipal government.

A quick scanning of my educational credentials and past record of service will demonstrate that to any voter. (Fleming has an undergraduate degree in economic from Boston College and a law degree from Georgetown University).

Furthermore, anyone who is familiar with the School Committee knows that I am an independent member, beholden to no one.

My allegiance is to the children of the District and the taxpayers who pay the bills. On each and every issue that the School Committee deliberates on, I defend my vote clearly with enunciated reasons. I will continue to do so.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I believe that spending by the School Committee has been excessive in recent years, and have demonstrated my opposition to it by not voting for the proposed budgets for last two years. The gap between teacher pay and administrative salaries has become far too great and must be reigned in. Secondly, communication between the District and its various stakeholders has not been adequate and must be improved immediately. Students, teachers, parents and taxpayers must be kept informed of all aspects of the educational process of Salem’s schools. That communication has failed for some time.

Thirdly, The District must do a better job in letting our teacher teach. The District has imposed many obstacles in the teaching process such as lengthy reporting requirements and never ending changes in instructional programs. This has to be stopped and we must give our wonderful teachers the time to impart their knowledge to our students. The District’s administrative personnel must stop criticizing our teachers and become more helpful in the learning process.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

For fourteen years, as Chairman of the Personal Sub-Committee, I led negotiations with the District ‘s four unions, leading to twenty contracts without any work stoppage. I led the fight to stop the privatization of the school food program, a program that is now financially sound and qualitatively excellent. I supported the breakfast in class program and free lunch for most students. I was a firm supporter of the extended day program that gives our children increased learning time. I support the re-vamping of the High School to better train its students for success in the twenty-first century. I supported the establishment of the alternative high school to give our students a second chance.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Before every vote that you cast use a very simple analysis- "Will this be beneficial for our children?"

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a highly decorated Veteran of Vietnam, serving as a U.S. Army Captain

Previously Published Salem Candidate Profiles:

Candidates for reelection are marked with an asterisk (*).

City Council, At Large

Domingo J. Dominguez *

Alice Merkl

Maribel Steadman

City Council, Ward 4

Timothy Flynn *

City Council, Ward 6

Megan Riccardi

School Committee

Beth Anne Cornell