Johnson Honored With Education Award

The Salem School Board took time Tuesday night to recognize former longtime SAU 57 Superintendent Dr. Paul O. Johnson for his years of service as an educator.

Johnson was presented a plaque for the Dr. Lincoln David Lynch Career Achievement in Education Award from the New England Association of School Superintendents. The award was for "recognition for your career in the field of education and in the service of children."

Current SAU 57 Superintendent Michael Delahanty said Johnson was responsible for the creation of the Salem High School building in 1967.

"He had tremendous foresight," Delahanty said. "It was a state-of-the-art facility."

Delahanty said he learned a great deal from Johnson while they worked together in district during the 1980s.

School Board Chair Peter Morgan read a short biography of Johnson, who was born in Charlestown, N.H. in 1926. He began his education career as a physical education teacher at Alvirne High School in Hudson and eventually became principal at Somersworth High School in 1958.

He came to Salem in 1962 as principal of Woodbury High School and immediately began a campaign to build a new high school in Salem, "establishing himself as a man of deep character and integrity and a person of high intellect," Morgan said.

A new high school was approved by voters in 1965, for which Johnson wrote the technical specifications and worked with architects on the final design. Innovations like a TV studio and a planetarium were ahead of its time, Morgan said.

Johnson spent a year a principal at SHS before moving on to be assistant superintendent for SAU 55 and after six months became the first superintendent for SAU 57, Salem's single-town district. Johnson spent more than 20 years in that role, retiring in 1989.

Johnson was lauded by Morgan for his "tireless work ethic" and the building of three new schools during his tenure, as well as numerous improvements and expansions at the high school.

In 1974, Johnson formed the first adult basic education program in Salem. He is also credited with coining the phrase: "Salem schools make a difference," which still appears on district documents.

"He is a legend through New Hampshire education circles," Morgan said.

Johnson was emotional in accepting the plaque, praising Delahanty for the work he has done as superintendent.

"I may stand here with the award, but there were hundreds of other people who made contributions that amounted to as much as what I have done," Johnson said. "There were so many great people out there."

He thanked his family for attending and for the School Board for taking the time to honor him.

"Salem schools still make a difference," Johnson said.