State Auditor Lydia York will look into the Appoquinimink School District following a request from a group of Delaware legislators and several requests from community members.

State Auditor agrees to look into Appo after 10% tax hike from accounting error

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Following a bipartisan request of seven state legislators, State Auditor Lydia York has agreed to look into the Appoquinimink School District after its Board of Education approved a 10% increase in the local school tax rate after assuring the public of no tax hike this year. “Over the past week, my office has received multiple communications from lawmakers and members …

The requested audit into Appo follows a board approval of a 10% tax increase. (Photo by Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan group of lawmakers want Appo audited for ‘troubling financial developments’ including tax hike

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Seven Delaware legislators – consisting of both Republicans and Democrats – are calling for a forensic audit of the Appoquinimink School District. The letter, addressed to State Auditor Lydia York, claims the request is “in response to recent troubling financial developments,” in Appo, which is the second largest school district in the First State, with 21 schools serving more than …

Appo's new schools are expected to open in about four years.

Appo breaks ground on new campus that resulted from ’24 successful referendum

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The construction of a new campus with two buildings is officially underway in the Appoquinimink School District. The district – the second largest in the First State – broke ground on the new structures Monday. A middle school named Summit Bridge Middle and a high school named Summit High School will be realized in the fall of 2029 when its …

Several Delaware students earned achievements at this year's National BPA Conference.

Delaware students shine at National Business Competition in Orlando

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Delaware students made a powerful impression at the 2025 Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference, held last month in Orlando, Florida. Competing against nearly 7,000 students from over 800 chapters across the country, Delaware’s delegation brought home a long list of top honors. In total, students from the First State claimed 12 national championships (first place), 13 second-place …

The New Castle County school districts are hosting this year's fair at the end of March.

6 NCCo school districts collab for Transition to Adult Life fair

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Six of the state’s 19 school districts – all in New Castle County – are partnering for an event at the end of March to help some of their students prepare for life after school. Families of students receiving special education services are invited to the 2025 Transition to Adult Life Fair, set to take place at Delaware Technical Community …

The usage and policies surrounding artificial intelligence vary widely in Delaware schools as the technology behind AI rapidly advances.

Educators grapple with how to use AI in Delaware classrooms

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Every conversation with leaders from nine Delaware colleges and high schools about artificial intelligence’s presence in the classroom reveals unique ways the evolving technology is being used.  It’s created a problem for schools and colleges wrestling with setting up their guardrails and adopting recent guidance published by the Delaware Department of Education. “AI has been in the education space for …

Colonial's Shelby Borst is the 2025 Delaware Teacher of the Year.

Meet Shelby Borst: William Penn social studies teacher and the 2025 Delaware Teacher of the Year

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The reward for teaching for Shelby Borst comes from the looks on students’ faces when they learn something new. Borst, a social studies teacher at William Penn High School in the Colonial School District, got her own reward Tuesday night when she was named Delaware’s 2025 State Teacher of the Year.  She’s also a teacher who has spent time boosting …

AP participation and scores increased in the First State this year. (Photo from Winward Academy)

State sees more students taking – and scoring well – on AP tests

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Delaware schools this past spring showed a double-digit percentage increase in both the number of Advanced Placement (AP) tests taken and the number of students taking them. Students took 12,731 exams in May 2023, representing a 16.6% increase from the prior year, with 738 additional students – 11.3% more – taking AP exams. “Red Clay’s Strategic Plan has prioritized students …

Two Delaware schools have been recognized as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

Welch, Cedar Lane named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The principal of an elementary school located on a military base said the tremendous culture and success of the school can sometimes go unnoticed by the public. “If you don’t have a military ID, you could not drive to our school,” said Jason Payne, principal of Major George S. Welch Elementary School, located on the Dover Air Force Base and …

All photos courtesy of Appoquinimink School District.

Appo, DMA host annual 9/11 ceremonies of remembrance 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The three high schools of Appoquinimink School District united Wednesday for its annual Patriot Day ceremony to remember the tragic events of 9/11. It’s been 23 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when  2,977 individuals lost their lives at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and on U.S. Air Flight …

Indian River School District is purchasing weapon detectors for each of its two high schools.

Indian River latest district to buy weapon detectors 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Indian River School District is the latest in Delaware to invest thousands – almost $50,000 for itself – in equipment to ensure student safety.  The district is purchasing two weapon detection systems, one for each high school: Sussex Central High School and Indian River High School. Each costs about $24,000. “It is imperative that we ensure the safety of students, …

Private tutoring is in high demand and has shown to have both academic and behavioral benefits for students. (Photo by Freedomz/Adobe Stock)

Private tutoring: high demand; can raise scores, confidence

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

With the funds that Delaware schools received for tutoring during the pandemic running out, many parents are sending their children to private tutoring services to catch up, tune their existing skills or even get a head start on the next school year.  “The challenge right now is for all of the last three years, all of the schools had ESSER …