Maiss Hussein took home the Poetry Out Loud crown in 2023 and 2024.

Get to know Delaware’s 2x poetry queen, Maiss Hussein

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

The back-to-back scholastic poetry champion won her most recent crown with a poem she says was way out of her comfort zone, but served as the perfect finale. A proud Palestinian, a powerful performer and a hopeful dentist with blooming curiosity, Hodgson Vo-Tech senior Maiss Hussein’s victory this year in the state Poetry Out Loud competition was just as sweet …

Ross Odyssey of the Mind

Ross Odyssey of the Minds teams advance

Terry RogersEducation, Headlines

Odyssey of the Mind teams from both Lulu M. Ross Elementary School and Milford Central Academy advanced to the state finals recently. The finals will be held in April with Ross students competing in the AI Tech – No Art Division where they placed first in the qualifying rounds. They will also compete in Rocking World Detour Div.1B where they …

Delaware's 2024 school board elections are Tuesday, May 14.

19 to compete for 8 seats in May 14 school board elections

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

In a light year for school board races, 19 candidates are vying for eight open seats across eight of the state’s 19 school districts. This year’s election is Tuesday, May 14, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last year, 43 candidates ran for 23 vacancies across 16 school districts. In 2022,  42 candidates competed for 19 open …

Delaware's four finalists for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (From top left, clockwise: Karen Eller, Brittney Campbell, Carlos Pesquera, Kerry Haley).

4 Delaware teachers finalists for national math, science award

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

In a time where science and math teachers are hard to come by, four of them from the First State have been named finalists for a national award. The four STEM teachers have been picked by the Delaware Department of Education to represent the state for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. That’s the highest recognition …

While most think the financial responsibility training is a good requirement, some believe it doesn't go far enough.

Many happy with mandatory school board finance training bill

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

School board members, who are in large part responsible for the spending decisions of millions of dollars from school districts, could soon be required to undergo financial training. House Bill 312, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton and chair of the House Education Committee, which requires school board members to undergo training in financial responsibility.  Legislators in the Senate Education …

Cape Henlopen's referendum has failed.

Cape Henlopen referendum fails, unofficial results show

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The residents of Cape Henlopen School District have voted down a referendum to raise local taxes in order to generate more local revenue for the district’s operations. “While the result is not what we wanted, we intend to move forward with a positive outlook,” said Superintendent Bob Fulton. “Over the next …

MMS Demolition Ends

Milford Middle School project moves into construction phase

Terry RogersEducation, Featured, Headlines

Milford School District recently announced that demolition on the Milford Middle School project on Lakeview Avenue ended and that the construction phase would begin. Demolition of the wings of the school began on September 8, 2023, on target with a projected timeline provided by the district last year. “The project remains on schedule and is expected to open in fall …

Principal Bradley Layfield has been fired by the Indian River School District.

All 7 board members agree: Fire Bradley Layfield

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The Indian River School District Board of Education on Thursday voted to uphold the termination of a school principal enmeshed in a scandal involving a video image of a student’s breast. In its private executive meeting Thursday night, the district board voted to uphold its firing of Bradley Layfield, former principal at Sussex Central High School. In response, Layfield’s lawyer, …

Districts that have had successful referendums are now planning designs, construction bids, and how projects will be phased over the next few years.

Here’s what happens now in districts whose referendums passed

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Now that Colonial, Red Clay and Brandywine have had successful referendums, residents of those school districts may be wondering when they’ll have to pony up finances and when they’ll see new facilities. Delaware school districts that have had a successful referendum typically phase their spending over three years or more.  The concept of the referendum isn’t widespread nationally.  Delaware is …

Career advancement and leadership opportunities for teachers and other educators will be explored by the PECC in the next few months. (Photo by Who is Danny/Adobe Stock)

Teacher pay committee to focus now on career ladders 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The state committee responsible for making recommendations on the pay of educators now turns its focus to creating leadership and career advancement opportunities for teachers. Its last public meeting was in early January, when it presented its suggestions to the General Assembly.  The committee was formed by Senate Bill 100 to make salary suggestions on each educator employee group to …