Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva visited Salem School District last Friday to celebrate its recent achievements. Representative Trey Steimel and members of the Secretary’s team joined the visit to recognize the district’s accomplishments.
Salem School District recently earned a Grade Level "A" on the state’s 2025-26 school report card. This distinction places Salem among only 26 schools statewide—out of 259 total districts reviewed—to achieve the top rating. Superintendent Wayne Guiltner described the visit as a "reward" for the efforts of students, faculty, and staff who contributed to the district’s success.
In addition to the district’s "A" rating, Salem Elementary School was recognized as a State GEM School as part of Arkansas’s Rewards and Recognition Program. The GEM designation honors schools that demonstrate excellence and merit through high performance or significant student academic growth.
Superintendent Guiltner also noted the rarity of the occasion, sharing that this was only the fourth time a state education secretary has visited Salem School. The visit highlighted the district’s continued commitment to academic excellence and its drive to maintain high standards across all grade levels.