The tension of Wednesday night's Christina board meeting came from a debate to remove Naveed Baqir from the board. (Photo by Tzido/iStock Getty Images)

Christina board fights over residency concerns of Baqir

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Another month, another chaotic meeting from Christina School District’s board of education.  Wednesday night’s September board meeting had Naveed Baqir in the middle of drama, with a hefty discussion on if he should be removed from his position on the board. Board member Doug Manley made three different motions: one to refer Baqir’s residency to the Department of Elections to …

Dan Shelton, left, has hired Thomas Neuberger, right, to represent him in the aftermath of his removal as the superintendent of Christina School District.

Lawyer for Christina’s Shelton says board violating rights

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Dan Shelton, the ousted superintendent of the Christina School District – which has a divided and chaotic board – has lawyered up.  Shelton has hired the Neuberger Firm to represent him after the board voted 4-3 in July to not renew his contract for the 2024-2025 school year, and then affirmed that in an August meeting. That July meeting lasted …

Christina School District's board continued down a path of argument and division Tuesday.

Christina board has heated meeting again, votes for superintendent

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

  At its first regular meeting since its 7-hour one in July that ended in the nonrenewal of Superintendent Dan Shelton’s contract, the Christina School District Board of Education was tumultuous once again. In Tuesday night’s meeting, two state legislators — Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark and Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, — and Secretary of Education Mark Holodick, condemned the board …

School Board First State educate

First State Educate starts Center for School Board Excellence

Betsy PriceEducation, Headlines

A Delaware nonprofit dedicated to encouraging more public involvement in education is launching an online Center for School Board Excellence in Governance. First State Educate’s center will build on its monthly community action meetings that examine topics of interest to school boards and the people who interact with them, including how agendas are set or what to expect when you’re …

First State Educate's new free school board training has once-a-month sessions scheduled through December.

FSE launches another free training for school board members

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The president of the tumultuous Christina School District Board of Education said a new – and free – training program from a state education group is much needed and very beneficial.  “I’ve had this conversation with other legislators about bringing in organizations like School Board Partners to train our board members, and I think if you look at what’s going …

After nearly five years of service, Superintendent Dan Shelton has been placed on administrative leave by the Christina School District Board of Education.

Christina school board puts Superintendent Shelton on leave

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Dan Shelton, voted Delaware’s Superintendent of the Year just two years ago, has been booted from Christina School District. In a meeting that started 40 minutes late Tuesday night, lasted about seven hours and wrapped up right before 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, the board argued the night away and finally voted, 4-3, to put Shelton on administrative leave.  Legally, board …

The Department of Justice's monitoring of the Christina School District Board of Education will last until July 1, 2025.

Dept. of Justice to monitor Christina SD Board for 1 year 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The Delaware Department of Justice will monitor the meetings of Christina School District’s board of education for the next year.  Every year, the General Assembly creates a grants-in-aid bill, which outlines the state’s investments in  government agencies and nonprofits, like senior centers, veterans organizations and fire companies, for example. The bill appeared to be business-as-usual, but the penultimate section of …

Christina held its second community town hall of the school year Tuesday night.

Christina town hall: phones, bullying, dress code, SATs

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Entertainment

In the Christina School District’s second town hall this school year Tuesday night, the handful of  community members that showed up brought concerns of cell phone use, school bullying and test prep.  The goal of the meetings is to allow Christina residents to interact with the district’s board of education. It’s a unique arrangement because in monthly meetings, the board …

TSD Review Mar 28

TownSquareLIVE Weekly Review – March 28, 2024

Sonja FreyTown Square Live, Weekly Review

This Week’s Top Headlines Include Your guide to Easter in Delaware After 42 years, ChaddsFord Winery is seeking a buyer Veg curious? 9 places to sample plant-based food Bill to pump $100 million into Medicaid seems set to roll College sexual assault prevention training could be required Bill making javelin a DIAA event moves on, some coaches oppose Click on …

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 …