Latest news with #JuliaKeleher
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who is running for school boards in Sussex County?
Delaware school board elections are here. They come at a "critical moment" for public schools, according to Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate. From cascading federal shake-ups to state school funding discussions and protecting student civil rights, as this advocate put it: "We need to put the public back in public education." Across Delaware, 11 school districts are heading to the polls, totaling 16 different elections for open seats. Only Colonial, Milford, Delmar, Laurel and Seaford have no elections. In Delaware code, any uncontested race does not reach the ballot. In fact, about 43% of seats up for election offered no contest by filing deadline. But no races were empty. In Sussex County, four contests are set for May 13. It will be a busy day for the Cape Henlopen district. There are three candidates running for nominating district C, which includes Lewes. There is an at-large seat in contention as well between two candidates. District 1, which includes Georgetown, in Indian River School District is also the subject of a three-way race. Woodbridge School District around Bridgeville has a race for a one-year term as well. Despite some drama, despite the decisions impacting children, despite making up the largest body of elected officials across the nation, according to the ACLU — school board elections consistently show extremely low turnout. More than 5,600 Delawareans turned out in 2024, a fraction of the state's 780,000 registered voters. That figure isn't adjusted for districts up for election. With voter awareness campaigns led by First State Educate, ACLU of Delaware and more, advocates hope to see more engagement this time around. You just need to go vote. Delaware education news: New lawsuit aims to oust Christina school board member living in Pakistan How do I vote in Delaware school board elections? The basics Voters must be at least 18 years old and live in the district where they hope to cast a ballot. Proof of ID and address will be requested, which could come as a driver's license, ID card or U. S. mail with street address. Being registered to vote in state and federal elections is not required, nor is having children in school. Delaware's Department of Elections offers an online tool to look up your district. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, with various polling locations across each district, often in local schools. We asked candidates throughout Sussex County about their backgrounds and key issues motivating their runs. Cape Henlopen School District board election At-Large William "Bill" Collick, 73, Milton Viking head coach Bill Collick brings team captains (from left) Thomas Ott, Andrew Grau, Jaun Saez, and Dumarius Gooch out onto the field for coin toss before game with Indian River in 2013. Background: Collick is a member of the board already and is one of the most important figures in the athletic history of Delaware State University. As the Hornets' football coach, he presided over the program's most successful period. He was also the athletic director of DSU from 1996 to 2000. Issues: In a questionnaire from ACLU Delaware, Collick said he supports inclusive learning and representation in reading materials. He said he supports school resource officers for safety and wants to find ways to meet the needs of every student. Collick did not respond to The News Journal's request for comment. Chris Lovenguth, 64, Ellendale Background: Lovenguth is an auto parts salesman. Issues: Lovenguth said he wants the state to invest more in teachers and give them the resources they need to teach daily. He supports a slight increase in homework done on paper rather than using technology. "Common sense and transparency goes a long way," Lovenguth said in an email. Nominating district C, Lewes Andy Lewis, 62, Lewes Andy Lewis is running for the Cape Henlopen School Board in Lewes. Background: Lewis is a technical director for Lewis Research of over 20 years Issues: He said community members asked him to run and said his background and perspective are important to have on the board so all issues can be examined at all angles. He said he will work within federal and state law to offer the best education to students. Patty Maull, 42 Background: Maull is a cosmetologist, according to information from the ACLU. Issues: She told the ACLU she supports equitable and inclusive education. She supports "know your rights" education in the face of potential ICE actions at Delaware schools and wants a well-round education that envelops different historical perspectives. She did not return a request for comment from The News Journal. Laura Parsons, 43, Lewes Laura Parsons is running for the Cape Henlopen School Board. Background: Parsons is an aesthetic nurse and owner of Parsons Aesthetics. Issues: Parsons told The News Journal she wants to improve the quality of the curriculum, staff competency and the technological infrastructure of the district's facilities. In the face of potential changes from the federal government, she committed to putting the students' needs first. "If elected, I promise to work tirelessly to ensure the wellbeing, excellence and safety of all children and educators in our community," she said in an email. Polling places: Mariner Middle School Cape Henlopen High School Rehoboth Elementary School Rehoboth Fire Company Station No. 2 Indian River School District board election District 1 Lisa Hudson Briggs is the incumbent on the school board. She did not respond to requests for information from The News Journal. Lisa Hudson Briggs is running to retain her seat on the Indian River School Board. Kelly Kline, 42, Georgetown Kelly Kline is running to retain her seat on the Indian River School Board. Background: Kline said she has been a library director for 11 years. Kline is also on the school board and has been since 2024. Issues: Kline said a well-educated community benefits everyone, and she believes it is the best investment a community can make. She said a good education, specifically in health and medicine, serves the older population of Sussex County. Her focus will be on her local school district no matter what the federal government does. Dereck Booth There is not much information on Booth's background, and he did not respond to a request for comment from The News Journal. Issues: Booth told ACLU Delaware he prioritizes eliminating discrimination in schools. He also supports greater financial transparency and being able to properly address problems without increasing the budget. Polling places: Georgetown Elementary School Department of Elections Warehouse, Georgetown Woodbridge School District board election Timothy Banks, 60, Bridgeville Timothy Banks is running for the Woodbridge School Board. Background: Banks is the senior pastor of the The Life Center and co-owner of the Helping Hands Learning Center in Bridgeville. Issues: Banks said it is a duty to run for office and represent the community "if God lays it on your heart." He said he wants to give back to the community by shaping policy and interacting with educators and parents. Changes from the federal government will not have an impact on his local mindset. "Our school board has always been common sense led in their approach to ensuring 'All' children and families in our district have what they need to succeed," he said in an email. Latoya S. Harris, 35, Bridgeville Background: Harris is the statewide supervisor for Wraparound Delaware, which helps parents reunite with their children. Issues: She wants to be a part of long-term change in the district and she said she is committed to making positive change by advocating for both parents and students. She said changes in the federal government have made her convictions stronger to invest in teachers and school safety. "I have three girls of my own and know the joy of parenthood but also the barriers that our current economy can have on such a precious responsibility," she said in an email. Polling places: Woodbridge Middle School Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Sussex County school boards: Here are the candidates
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Delaware school board elections: Who's running in New Castle County districts?
Delaware school board elections are here. They come at a "critical moment" for public schools, according to Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate. From cascading federal shake-ups, to state school funding discussions and protecting student civil rights, as this advocate put it: "We need to put the public back in public education." Across Delaware, 11 school districts are heading to the polls, totaling 16 different elections for open seats. Only Colonial, Milford, Delmar, Laurel and Seaford have no elections. In Delaware code, any uncontested race does not reach the ballot. In fact, about 43% of seats up for election offered no contest by filing deadline. But no races were empty. In New Castle County, six contests are set for May 13. For Appoquinimink, three candidates will vie for one at-large seat. Over in Brandywine, three seats are open with two candidates in each race. Red Clay Consolidated voters can expect to see two candidates seeking a district seat, while Christina has just two candidates for one open seat, upon the current vice president's exit. Christina Board Vice President, Alethea Smith-Tucker, Nominating District A, votes during the Christina school board regular meeting at the Glasgow High School Auditorium in Newark, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. That's Alethea Smith-Tucker, a Christina board member who has often joined a deciding four-person bloc, including the controversial 4-3 ouster of former district superintendent Dan Shelton last summer. He's now suing the school system for more than $2.7 million, while another board member has filed a suit to oust one fellow member living in Pakistan. As board President Donald Patton put it: "She decided she'd had enough." Despite some drama, despite the decisions impacting children, despite making up the largest body of elected officials across the nation, according to the ACLU — school board elections consistently show extremely low turnout. More than 5,600 Delawareans turned out in 2024, a fraction of the state's 780,000 registered voters. That figure isn't adjusted for districts up for election. With voter awareness campaigns led by First State Educate, ACLU of Delaware and more, advocates hope to see more engagement this time around. You just need to go vote. Delaware education news: New lawsuit aims to oust Christina school board member living in Pakistan How do I vote in Delaware school board elections? The basics Voters must be at least 18 years old and live in the district where they hope to cast a ballot. Proof of ID and address will be requested, which could come as a driver's license, ID card or U. S. mail with street address. Being registered to vote in state and federal elections is not required, nor is having children in school. Delaware's Department of Elections offers an online tool to look up your district. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, with various polling locations across each district, often in local schools. We asked candidates throughout New Castle County about their backgrounds and key issues motivating their runs. Appoquinimink School District board election At-large seat Sandhya Celestin-Brown, 38, Middletown Sandhya Celestin-Brown, pictured, is running for the at-large school board seat for Appoquinimink School District during school board elections on May 13, 2025. Background: Celestin-Brown earned her doctorate's degree in social work from Widener University and is a licensed chemical dependency professional and a licensed social worker. Issues: Celestin-Brown said that as a social worker, placing a stronger focus on mental health in the classroom is one of her top priorities. She said she believes the influence of educators should be used to empower, uplift and encourage the identities and perspectives of every student. She sees it as the school board's responsibility to keep in compliance with federal regulations in a way that promotes equity, inclusion and opportunity for all students. She said she would also advocate for stronger protections when federal actions fall short of supporting school communities. Tim Higgins, 58, Middletown Tim Higgins, pictured, is running for the at-large school board seat for Appoquinimink School District. Background: Higgins is a business owner of over 30 years and has served on several boards in the community such as the Canal Little League, Saint Margaret's Church, youth ministry groups and a former teacher of religious education. Issues: Behavioral problems in Appoquinimink schools and the environment they have created are the main issues driving his campaign, Higgins said. The implementation of well-intentioned policies to address these issues has negatively impacted the school community, he said. Higgins also cited teachers' 'ever-broadening, non-teaching responsibilities' that have created a disconnect in the student-teacher relationship. Looking to federal actions, Higgins said the district's individualized education plans, or IEPs, are a necessity and any threat to their funding should be supplemented with cuts to other programs. Chuck Boyce, Middletown Background: Boyce is an entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in business operations, real estate and data analysis. Boyce did not respond to requests for comment for this voter guide. Issues: Boyce's top priorities have been publicly acknowledged as striving for academic excellence and accountability, increasing parental engagement and transparency efforts, making clear pathways available to prepare students for life after school, promoting responsible spending and resource allocation, fostering safe and supportive learning environments and improving teacher retention and compensation. Polling places: Bunker Hill Elementary School Cedar Lane Elementary School Loss Elementary School Marion Proffitt Training Center Middletown High School Old State Elementary School Silver Lake Elementary School Townsend Elementary School Brandywine School District board election District A Alexander Najemy, 46, Wilmington Alexander Najemy, 46, of Wilmington, is the incumbent running to resecure his District A seat for another four-year term on the Brandywine school board, come May 13, 2025. Background: Najemy is an incumbent running for another four-year term. The former U.S. Army captain now works as an attorney in the global capital markets office for M&T Bank. After his service in Iraq, where he earned a bronze star, the Brandywine father of two became the executive officer of the St. John's ROTC program, teaching military science classes and more. His two children have attended the district since kindergarten, and Najemy said he's personally familiar with the "complex IEP process." Issues: Najemy highlighted issues like equal access to public education across ability and income, expanding student health education, ensuring resources for educators and increasing data transparency. The incumbent believes the board must be able to make financial, academic and maintenance reports "more understandable and succinct." He believes Brandywine needs to increase nutrition and exercise education, as well as educating students on the impacts of social media use. On federal actions, Najemy said he has already been fielding concerns from the community. He noted Brandywine should remain steadfast in its "robust" nondiscrimination policy and all civil rights protections. Additionally, its roughly 6% of funding from federal coffers fuels nutrition for Title I schools, funding for IEPs and services for students with disabilities. Najemy said should Brandywine lose it, "we must then shift resources to cover these critical services." Kenyon Wilson, 39, Wilmington Kenyon Wilson, 39, of Wilmington is running for the Brandywine school board on May 13, 2025. Wilson currently serves as a community liaison and project manager with Southbridge Community Development Corporation, focused on neighborhood revitalization. Background: Wilson serves as a community liaison and project manager with Southbridge Community Development Corporation, a group focused on revitalization and community growth in its Wilmington neighborhood. The father of four – with two already studying in Brandywine schools – said his focus is on engagement and "building trust" between institutions and communities. Issues: Wilson looked to call out "a clear disconnect" between the district and many of the families it serves, particularly in the city. He believes a lack of "trust-based engagement with historically underserved communities" must be improved. He called the Wilmington Learning Collaborative one step in the right direction, though more needs to be done to reach all Wilmington-area students. With that, Wilson believes the entire district community can be strengthened. On federal headwinds, Wilson noted the board must stay informed and remain "proactive and protective" – but the main role of any board member should be rooted in local decision making. District B Brian Jordan, 44, Wilmington Brian Jordan, 44, of Wilmington, is running for an open seat on the Brandywine school board on May 13, 2025. Jordan has been a practicing attorney in Delaware since 2010 Background: Jordan has been a practicing attorney in Delaware since 2010, with an early career as a judicial clerk in the Superior Court later making way for a solo trial practice. Today, the father of two Brandywine students works within an in-house attorney position. The candidate's oldest daughter attends Talley Middle School and the youngest Lancashire Elementary, while Jordan himself is a product of Red Clay Consolidated School District, long before undergrad and law school. Issues: For Jordan, "unprecedented challenges" at the federal level are one issue motivating his run. He believes the board can be proactive in developing its own policies to protect these areas, like preserving Section 504 accommodations to meet the needs of students in special education. Locally, Jordan echoed Gov. Matt Meyer's declaration of a "literacy emergency." He hopes to see more money directed to teachers, to fund literacy coaches and to fund professionals in youth development and psychology to handle disciplinary issues. He also believes the district can boost awareness of competitive offering like Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Spanish immersion and more. Karen Hartley-Nagle, 62, Phillips Heights Karen Hartley-Nagle, 62, is running for Brandywine school board on May 13, 2025. She currently works as the CEO of Nexus Innovation Group LLC, but before she started the company, she led Delaware's second-largest governing body, New Castle County Council, as president from 2016 to 2024. Background: Hartley-Nagle works as the CEO of Nexus Innovation Group LLC, a Delaware-based start-up helping small and growing businesses. Before starting that company, she led Delaware's second-largest governing body, New Castle County Council, as president from 2016 to 2024. The longtime leader lost her bid for re-election in last year's primary to fellow Democrat Marcus Henry. But while at the helm, she said she oversaw the processing of some 2,979 pieces of legislation and cast over 2,900 votes. Hartley-Nagle was also the prime sponsor of nearly 300 bills and co-sponsored 412 more, while the body oversaw nearly $3.4 billion in combined budgets. She aims to continue that public service and community connection. Issues: Hartley-Nagle said she is critical of Brandywine's current spending – more than $20,000 per-pupil in the current system – while proficiency rates lag behind grade-level expectations across the district. She said the "gap between investment and outcomes" should concern all Delawareans. She said it calls for transparency and leadership "that knows how to turn investment into achievement." The mother of four public school graduates also highlighted a need for better family engagement in Brandywine. Hartley-Nagle said federal actions matter – but cannot replace local responsibility. From funding or curriculum debates, to proposed cuts to impact special education or nutrition, she said she will take them seriously. However, "we're still responsible for what happens in our classrooms, our school board meetings, and our kids' futures." For this, she said local leadership must plan ahead and manage uncertainty. District E Wilmington resident Frank Livoy, 78, is running to fill an open seat on the Brandywine school board on May 13, 2025. Frank Livoy, 78, Wilmington Background: Livoy coaches new teachers at the University of Delaware and Delaware State, while also teaching writing courses at Wilmington University. The once Brandywine parent of two taught for 26 years at Concord High School, and for 10 years, he was a school reform coach and professional development trainer with Rutgers University. He also previously directed a teacher certification program at UD and taught graduate education courses. The grandad now has two grandsons in high school and one daughter teaching in Brandywine School District. Issues: Livoy said the district must raise expectations for regular attendance, productive classroom behaviors and student achievement. He believes that's possible by forging stronger partnerships among families, teachers, students and administration. He said the district needs "all parties at the table." The educator also noted any decisions regarding policy – curriculum, student support, finance – need to be supported by evidence-based research and best practices. In terms of federal impact, Livoy said how executive actions will affect Brandywine students, our teaching professionals, or our district-level decisions remains unclear. However, he would aim to stay engaged with all stakeholders to best handle any coming changes in funding or regulation. Tracy Todd Woodson, 65, Wilmington Tracy Todd Woodson, 65, is running for an open seat on the Brandywine school board on May 13, 2025. Woodson is a retired educator of 25 years in Delaware public schools. Background: Woodson is a retired educator of 25 years in Delaware public schools, while still serving on various Delaware boards. His educator career spanned administrative and teaching roles, largely in the Brandywine School District, and his last role was principal of Springer Middle School from 2015 to May 2023. His daughter is grown now, but she was a graduate of the district. Issues: Woodson said his run is motivated by a few key issues. One, low assessment scores in the Brandywine School District exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic; two, a lack of accountability and transparency on the current school board; and three, a hope to serve the community and students. He also noted federal funds fuel "crucial" programs for the district, which every district leader will have their eyes on. Polling places: Brandywine High Carrcroft Elementary Claymont Library Forwood Elementary Hanby Elementary Lombardy Elementary Maple Lane Elementary Mt Pleasant High P.S. duPont Middle Springer Middle Talley Middle Christina School District board election District A Janiene Campbell, 43, of Wilmington, is running for an open seat on the Christina school board on May 13, 2025. Janiene Campbell, 43, Wilmington Background: Campbell called community dedication a lifelong pursuit. For her, that journey began with the PTA, where she served as a board member and treasurer. Most recently, she took on the role of health education chair for the Delaware PTA, while she also serves as a "Smart Justice Ambassador" with ACLU-DE. She also has a background in advocacy, having worked within the Ministry of Caring, founded One Purpose Food Pantry to provide food and resources across the Wilmington area and more. The mother of two does not have children in the district, but the former substitute teacher has spent time inside Christina classrooms. Issues: Campbell said several personal and professional experiences have fueled her focus on "critical issues" facing Christina schools, like student safety, improved literacy, educational equity and better nutrition for students. As a substitute, she noted witnessing daily challenges faced by students and educators, from a bomb threat to physical altercations, and called out a "clear sign" of unsafe environments. On possible federal impacts, Campbell said she would stay informed alongside all board members if any difficult decisions must be made related to threatened federal funding. She noted a focus would remain on what works best for Christina students and community. Shannon Troncoso, 52, of Wilmington, is running for an open seat on the Christina school board, on May 13, 2025. Shannon Troncoso, 52, Wilmington Background: Troncoso works as a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia, but she calls the Trinity Vicinity home. The Delaware mom of two BlueHens doesn't have any children in the school district, but she sees running for the Christina school board as a public service, as public schools shape communities, economies and futures. Issues: Troncoso said she is running because the Christina School District cannot afford another year of dysfunction. She also said recent federal actions, like efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, roll back civil rights protections or target DEI, only strengthened her resolve. As a lawyer, she said she knows how fast policy can shift, and strong local leadership "matters more than ever." Polling places: Bear Library Brader Elementary Downes Elementary Keene Elementary Maclary Elementary Marshall Elementary Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy McVey Elementary Newark High Pulaski Early Education Center Shue-Medill Middle Wilson Elementary Red Clay Consolidated School District board election District B Devon Hynson, 53, Wilmington Background: Hynson is running for Red Clay Consolidated school board, representing district B. He did not respond to requests to comment on this voter guide. Issues: Hynson has stated publicly that the top priorities for his campaign include increasing engagement between parents, community members and staff about decisions that are made for the district, and the reasoning behind them. He has suggested creating a public dashboard of decisions for better accessibility, holding regular town halls and partnering with local parent-community organizations. Hynson's other priorities include securing equitable funding for Red Clay students, reducing class sizes and supporting teachers and staff with competitive salary increases and additional mental health supports. Martin A. Wilson, 69, Wilmington Background: Wilson has held the school board seat representing District B since 1999, with his term set to expire in June. Wilson is a board representative to the Delaware School Board Association's legislative committee and facilities committee. He did not respond to requests to comment on this voter guide. Polling places: Activity Center at Hockessin Police Athletic League A.I DuPont High School Baltz Elementary School Cab Calloway School of Arts Dickinson High School Forest Oak Elementary School Joseph E. Johnson School Marbrook Elementary School McKean High School North Star Elementary School Warner Elementary School Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@ and contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: New Castle County school boards: Who's running seats in May?
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New spelling champion crowned in statewide bee, now goes to national competition
The 2025 Delaware Regional Spelling Bee was e-l-e-c-t-r-i-c. Competitors from around the state gathered Saturday at Delaware Technical Community College's Terry Campus in Dover to battle for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May. There was no livestream because every state has the same word bank, but the last word spelled by this year's champion, Siara Husain of the Islamic Academy of Delaware in Ogletown, was codswallop, another term for nonsense. Second place went to Talley Middle School in Brandywine Hundred's Aurelia Tran, and third place went to Kshirja Chauhan of Caravel Academy Middle School in Glasgow. The winner was invited to shadow Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay for a day, according to First State Educate executive director Julia Keleher. The event's host sponsor, First State Educate, said the competition included 50 students from public and private schools. Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate, said the event was an opportunity to show off the potential of Delaware's education systems. "We need a moment to say we are really good at this and everybody cares," she said. Gov. Matt Meyer, Department of Education Secretary Cindy Marten and 2025 Teacher of the Year Cory Hafer were guests of honor at this year's proceedings. Other sponsors of the event included the United Way of Delaware, Wilmington's Department of Parks and Recreation and the International Literacy Association. Keleher said another goal of this competition is to motivate students and educators to push forward despite hardships lingering from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Education Recovery Scorecard, Delaware is second to last nationally in math learning recovery and 47th nationally in reading recovery. The study said no districts in Delaware have returned to their 2019 levels in either math or reading. Education roundup: 2 Delaware school districts to seek funding boosts. Are you voting? Keleher said raising that standard is a team effort, and sponsors that are not in the education field, like Wawa, the Delaware Blue Coats and Milan's Cheeseteaks, are particularly meaningful to Keleher and First State Educate. "The whole event is about focusing attention on what's working on the excellence that we have," she said. "All of these people who are sponsors, who they don't directly touch the education system ... they're saying it's important, they care about Delaware's future." This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 2025 Delaware Regional Spelling Bee champion crowned in Dover
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Less than half of your open school board seats may be decided by Delaware voters in 2025
The state of public education is one of the hottest topics in Delaware right now. It sparks fervor from various angles. It could be the state's 45th ranking for education outcomes in the national KIDS COUNT Data Book. It could be struggling reading scores, still starving for pandemic rebound. Maybe it's the ongoing debate on updating public school funding, after an independent report called out an "alarmingly clear and negative relationship" between high-need students and their achievement. It could be around recommendations to spend $600 million to $1 billion more, while updating the state formula to follow students. But you wouldn't see it at school board elections. The filing deadline for Delaware's 2025 School Board Elections across 16 traditional public school districts is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7. There are some 28 different seats up for grabs across the state, as voters head to the polls this spring. Right now, 10 would go to election. In other words, with at least one seat up for election in every school district – and seven with two or more – roughly 64% of school board races in Delaware would be uncompetitive if the filing deadline passed at the end of last week. Sussex County voters would get only one election to make a choice. That's out of 12 seats up for consideration. And two such open seats, in Indian River and Woodbridge School District, still have no candidate filed as of the last Department of Elections update late Friday, Feb. 28. In Delaware state law, if there is just one candidate who files unopposed in a race for a school board seat, they've got it. The Elections Department would not hold an election for that seat, and the new board member would be handed a certificate of election instead. "What we really want people to have is a choice of who they put in that seat," said Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate. The nonprofit has been pushing to train and prepare current board members – and lately, potential candidates. As a local control state, school boards play a critical role in running districts. "We're trying to build the bench, trying to get people to understand what the role is, trying to encourage them to want to pick up the mantle and to see in themselves the kind of leaders that Delaware needs." This year's deadline is coming fast. Lack of interest here isn't new. Keleher noted that not quite 6,000 Delawareans voted in the last school board election. Back in 2023, it was about 10% of registered voters, and several districts posted lower than 5% turnout. This trend holds true across the nation, even while these nonpartisan races have become increasingly rife with political discourse and party influence. As for active contests, this year actually posts a slight improvement over 2024. But concerns about low competition and engagement continue. Nationally, a Ballotpedia study of more than 5,400 school board elections in 2023 found that about 53% of seats went uncontested. Regardless, these governing bodied make key decisions on budgets, curriculum and leadership every year. "I would love to find a way to make the issue of school boards one where everyone felt connected to it, even if it isn't that I dropped my kids off at a public school every day," Keleher posed. "Does that make sense?" The nonprofit leader said anyone fit for a school board should be passionate about education, as motivation is essential to the demanding four-year appointment. She also noted a necessary mindset for the greater good, rather than one passionate issue. These join a list of characteristics for effective school boards, from the Center for Public Education. "Sometimes somebody has to say, 'Wow, you have so many skills, and you're passionate about this issue, and you care about your community. You'd be a great person to help,'" she said. "But we don't see it sometimes until someone taps us on the shoulder and kind of invites us." Sussex Tech: Delaware high school student helps car crash victims, lands honors from Coast Guard JROTC Brandywine: District A Christina: District A Colonial: District B and District D Red Clay: District B and District G Milford: One at-large seat Cape Henlopen: One at-large and District B Delmar: One at-large seat Indian River: Two seats for District 1, one seat for District 2 and District 4 (Only one candidate filed for two District 1 seats) Laurel: One at-large seat Seaford: One at-large seat Woodbridge: Two at-large seats (Only one candidate filed) Trump & DOE: 'Bullying tactics': Delaware watches quietly as Trump targets diversity efforts in education Legally, there are just a few qualifications. A candidate must be a citizen and district resident and be at least 18 years old, while they must not be paid employees of the district or ever convicted of embezzlement. Applications and evidence that a required background check is in the works must be submitted to the Department of Elections. Anyone in need of more information can contact the department: Sussex County: (302) 856-5367 – votesc@ Kent County: (302) 739-4498 – votekc@ New Castle County: (302) 577-3464 – votencc@ Look back at previous newcomers: Incumbent upset, narrow races: How 2024 school board elections shook out Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Less than half of Delaware's open school board seats may see ballots
