Governor Signs Nine Education-related Bills With Bipartisan Support

Story by Brent Burdge, Contributing Journalist.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Matt Meyer signed nine bills into law at a signing event at Stanton Middle School on Tuesday, September 2. These bills address various aspects of the education system and ultimately received strong bipartisan support from the General Assembly.

Several of these bills govern the operation of local school boards and were born out of frustration with the current operation of some local school boards that emerged earlier this year, notably the Christina School Board.

House Bill 64, sponsored by Rep. Cyndie Romer and Sen. Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, requires school board meetings to offer an option for the public to join and comment remotely via video or phone, allowing more people to participate in local discussions from home.
House Bill 77, sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, mandates training for school board members on topics such as Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act, meeting rules, and ethics to ensure adherence to best practices.
House Bill 83, sponsored by Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, permits school board members to attend and vote in meetings remotely for specific reasons, including illness, public health emergencies, pregnancy/postpartum care, or military service, ensuring board functionality even when members cannot be present in person.
House Bill 85, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, clarifies that any appointed or elected school board member must complete a background check within 15 days, with criminal records checked by the State Bureau of Identification.

Issues also emerged about licensing and development of school resources.

House Bill 97, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, requires that any school employee working directly with students must hold a valid permit or license issued by the state’s Professional Standards Board or under Title 24 to ensure proper qualifications and supervision.
Senate Bill 81, sponsored by Sen. Tizzy Lockman and Rep. Kim Williams, removes the deadline that limits which educators or specialists could receive additional years of experience credit when calculating their pay. Now, all qualifying staff can receive that credit regardless of hire date.
Senate Bill 107, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon and Rep. Kim Williams, adopts the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, facilitating the work of qualified school psychologists across state lines to support students in different districts.
Senate Bill 165, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon and Rep. Kim Williams, introduces an amended “student improvement component” under the state Performance Appraisal System starting in the 2025–26 school year. This amendment will consider challenges such as student absences or mobility when evaluating performance.

A final bill provided compliance with federal Title IX requirements for continued funding.

Senate Bill 91, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon and Rep. Cyndie Romer, requires schools that receive federal funding to protect students, faculty, and staff from sex-based discrimination and harassment, ensuring safe and fair environments.

Previously, the governor had signed House Bill 91, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams and Sen. Jack Walsh, which provides universal free breakfast for all students regardless of income, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

“Our children are the future of Delaware, and making sure they receive the best possible education is one of the most important jobs we have in Legislative Hall,” said Rep. Kim Williams, Chair of the House Education Committee. “This year, we made real progress towards that goal by improving school board governance, ensuring only highly qualified educators are leading our classrooms, and guaranteeing all students have access to free nutritious meals in their schools.”