Christina School District Seeks Applicants To Fill Board Vacancy After Troncoso Resignation

The resignation of District A representative Shannon Troncoso on Dec. 4 leaves a second open seat. Candidate Forum on Dec. 8, for the District F seat.

Seat will be appointed through a public application process, with a forum scheduled for Dec. 8

WILMINGTON, Del. — As the Christina School District is moving to fill a sudden vacancy on its seven-member school board following the resignation of District F, formerly held by Dr. Baqir, Representative Shannon Troncoso stepped down Dec. 4, citing transparency issues, discrimination, and what she described as a “chaotic” board environment, leaving two vacancies on the Christiana School District’s Board.

Troncoso, an attorney and single mother of two, was elected in May 2025 on a platform of transparency, fiscal responsibility, and student safety. She won by a wide margin,doubling the votes of her challenger to fill the seat previously held by former board vice president Alethea Smith-Tucker.

During her brief tenure, Troncoso pushed for expanded mental health supports, equitable funding for multilingual learners, and greater accountability through special education, forensic, and safety audits. In her resignation announcement, she said those efforts were met with resistance.

“The board cannot function without transparency, accountability, and an environment that allows for meaningful change,” she wrote. She also pointed to ongoing challenges in the district, including school safety concerns, gun incidents, referendum pressures, and confusion among residents over property reassessment.

Applications Open for Interim Board Member

Under Delaware law, school boards may fill mid-term vacancies through appointment rather than a special election. The Christina School District has opened an application process to identify qualified community members to serve the remainder of Dr. Basqir’s term, which runs through June 30, 2026. The process for Nominating Mrs. Troncoso’s seat will start soon.

Applicants were required to submit a letter of interest, résumé, and consent forms for a criminal background check and child protection registry. To qualify, candidates must:

Be a U.S. and Delaware citizen
Live within the Christina School District, specifically in the nominating district for the vacant seat
Be at least 18 years old
Not be a paid employee of the district
Have no embezzlement convictions

The board also extended the application deadline to Nov. 14 to allow additional residents to apply.

Public Forum Set for Dec. 8

Before making an appointment, the district will host a public candidate forum on Dec. 8 at Glasgow High School. Community members were invited to submit questions in advance, and applicants will speak about their priorities and qualifications.

The school board will make its final selection after the forum. The appointed member will serve until the next regular school board election in spring 2026, when the seat will appear on the ballot for a full term.

A Short Tenure, Ongoing Impact

Although Troncoso’s time on the board lasted only months, she leaves behind a public call for greater transparency, safety, and fiscal oversight in one of Delaware’s largest school districts. She has expressed interest in continuing her advocacy work outside the board, particularly around student mental health and community safety.