School board elections: polls open until 8 p.m. Tuesday

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

Today’s the day: after nine weeks of campaigning, 40 Delawareans will compete for 23 school board seats in Tuesday’s school board elections.  “Over the last couple of months, our campaign has had the opportunity to connect with thousands of voters who’ve shared their stories, hopes, and aspiration for Red Clay and its future,” said Jose Matthews, an incumbent board member …

Several school districts removed the virtual option for board meetings. (Unsplash)

5 school districts drop virtual option for board meetings

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

Five of Delaware’s 19 school districts no longer livestream their board meetings.  Caesar Rodney, Delmar, Laurel, Smyrna and Woodbridge school districts removed the virtual option this years as students and faculty return to an in-person environment with pandemic restrictions diminishing. John Marinucci, the executive director of the Delaware School Boards Association, said the organization pushed for legislation that allowed, but …

School choice applications for Delaware's public schools close next Wednesday, Jan. 11.

School choice applications close Jan. 11

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

Delaware’s school choice application period is closing Wednesday, Jan. 11. That means families who want to send their children to a school outside of their regular feeder pattern for the 2023-24 school year only have a few days left to submit their paperwork. The good news: It’s mostly online.  The First State is one of 13 in the country in …

Because the state ended its COVID leave mandate, Delaware teachers will now have to tap into their 10 sick days if they have COVID.

Teachers no longer granted 10-day COVID leave

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

For the first time since fall 2020, Delaware teachers will not be granted paid COVID-19 leave.  That means they have to use their normal sick leave if they or a family member gets sick. “The argument can be made that we’re further away from the craziness of COVID, so I get it,” said Jennifer Saunders, who’s taught in Red Clay …

House Bill 430 is the state's latest attempt to combat its teacher shortage.

More legislation in the works to address teacher shortage

Jarek Rutz Delaware Live, Education, Headlines

A bill that would help address the state’s lingering concern over a teacher shortage was unanimously released by the Senate Education Committee Wednesday.  House Bill 430, now headed to the Senate floor, would encourage schools to begin a Grow Your Own Educator Program, which supporters believe will improve recruitment, retention and diversity of teachers in the First State’s public schools. …

Meet school board candidates in 6 upcoming virtual forums

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

Upcoming school board forums will allow community members to meet, question school board candidates. Photo by Element5 Digital.   Meet the candidates in 6 upcoming school board forums Delaware school board election forums kick off tomorrow, with six being held during the next two weeks so community members can meet their district’s candidates and hear their thoughts. With only 10% …

Schools unlikely to lift mask mandate early, despite parent pleas

Betsy Price Education, Headlines

  Gov. John Carney announced Monday that he would lift his indoor mask mandate Friday — except for schools, where masks are required until March 31. On Tuesday, parent Benjamin Kennedy asked the Appoquinimink School District Board to not wait and to get rid of masks in schools on Friday. The next night, parent Brandon Bushon asked the Red Clay …