Salem Public Schools Tabs New Special Education Executive Director

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools has a new executive director of special education.

Jennifer Doucette-Ly, who had been the elementary director of special education, was approved for the post at Monday night's School Committee meeting following the recommendation of Superintendent Steve Zrike.

Doucette-Ly started in the district as a therapeutic paraprofessional at Salem Prep and special seven years as a special education teacher. She has been the elementary director of special education in the district for the past two years.

Zrike also credited her with founding the food and clothing pantry at Salem High, organizing book drives at Bates Elementary School and the high school, and instructing the Salem High marching band and winter guard.

"I love this story of a paraprofessional (advancing) all the way up to the executive director of special education," Zrike told the School Committee. "I have had the pleasure of working with Jen for the last few years. ... She distinguished herself through the interview process."

Doucette-Ly was chosen out of a field of three finalists that also included Saltonstall School Principal Michael Lister and Malden Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Pamela MacDonald.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)