Salem Elementary Fence Questions: The Real Reason Revealed

On this VIDEO episode of Southeast Iowa Today, John Bain reports from Salem Elementary School in Salem, Iowa. The school is set to close at the end of the 2026-2027 school year, meaning the students attending this year (August 2026–May 2027) will be the last ones in the Mount Pleasant Community School District to attend Salem Elementary. The closure decision was finalized on April 27, 2026, during a special school board meeting at Mount Pleasant High School. The board voted 4-3 in favor of closing the school in fall 2027. Voting yes: Angie Blint, Aaron Williamson, Josh Maher, Mark Hampton. Voting no: Craig Hurd, Mark Overberg, Kevin Schrader. Local taxpayers are now questioning why the district plans to install a new fence at Salem Elementary just before closing it. Critics call it a short-term waste of taxpayer dollars on a building that will soon no longer serve students. Many are calling for better planning, greater transparency, and decisions that prioritize students and the community over closing buildings. John Bain reached out to School Board President Angie Blint for comment on the fence issue. And her response is on this episode.