Outgoing Salem Superintendent Steve Zrike has praised the accomplishments of the district's students over the past six years as he prepares to become the next state Secretary of Education. Zrike, who came to Salem from Holyoke and took over a struggling district during the COVID-19 health crisis, called the city's staff and students "first-class and first-rate" and praised the efforts of those within Salem to make the schools a better place for its deserving students. He also praised the students' perseverance during the pandemic and recent successes in test scores, attendance, the arts, and the boys basketball state championship.