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TOMORROW: Be sure to vote in 2025 school board elections

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

It’s that time of year again, and with voter turnout historically bad – sub 10% – education experts urge the public to participate in Tuesday’s school board elections. “Tomorrow’s school board elections are a powerful opportunity for Delawareans to shape the future of public education,” said Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate. “The leaders we choose will guide …

Several school districts have recently evaluated their cell phone policies. (Photo by dolgachov/iStock Getty Images)

Delaware lawmaker push for stricter school cell phone policies

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

In an effort to curb classroom disruptions and address rising concerns over student behavior and mental health, Delaware lawmakers are advancing new legislation that would require all public schools and charter schools in the state to adopt stricter policies on student cell phone use. Sen. Eric Buckson, R-South Dover, introduced Senate Bill 106 on Tuesday, a bipartisan measure aimed at …

The bill would ban schools from having food and beverage with Red Dye 40 in it. (Photo by stockcam/Getty Images)

Legislator introduces bill to ban Red Dye 40 in Delaware schools

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Senator Eric Buckson (R-South Dover) has introduced new legislation aimed at reducing potential health risks to Delaware students by prohibiting the sale or distribution of food and beverages containing Red Dye 40 in public and charter schools. Senate Bill 69 seeks to protect children from potential adverse health effects associated with synthetic food dyes, including concerns over hyperactivity and behavioral …

Senator Eric Buckson wants President Donals Trump to posthumously pardon Abolitionist John Hunn.

Sen. Buckson asks Trump to pardon abolitionist John Hunn

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A Delaware Republican Senator has sent a letter to President Trump asking him to posthumously pardon an Underground Railroad hero and abolitionist from the First State. Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, wants Trump to grant clemency to John Hunn, a Quaker abolitionist born in 1818 who is widely regarded as the architect of Delaware’s Underground Railroad.  John Hunn’s legacy Hunn was …

DELAWARE’S SCHOOL CHOICE APPLICATION WINDOW CLOSES WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8 AT 11:59 P.M.

WEDNESDAY: Application deadline for school choice 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Parents have until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to submit applications for their child to attend a school outside their residential district for the 2025-2026 academic year. If history holds true, the state is likely to see about 25,000 applications from parents wanting to switch this year. “Delaware is unique, but it’s more about understanding that our children are unique,” said Kendall …

Getting improved and transparent data is a critical baby step in the state's mission to improve Delaware's schools.

Delaware’s school awards spark data debate

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A recent dispute over Delaware’s school recognition program highlights the growing challenge of measuring and communicating educational progress in an era of increasing data complexity.  The Delaware Department of Education recently awarded 17 schools with state and national recognition for achievements in student growth, closing achievement gaps, and serving special populations.  However, education policy expert Tanya Hettler, Ph.D., from the …

Kirkwood Sports Complex, pictured above, is one of 17 organizations who submitted applications in this second round of allocations for Delaware's sports tourism fund.

17 sports facilities battle for a small share of $47.1M in state tourism funding

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Seventeen organizations throughout the First State are asking for a combined $47,138,560 for construction, upgrades, and additions to their sports complexes to generate more income and attract more athletes and patrons.  The requests range from as little as $319,680 from the Sandhill Fields in Georgetown to as much as $10 million from Dover’s First State Aquatic Center.  It’s sure to …

The Public Education Funding Commission had its first formal meeting Thursday. (Photo by seb_ra/iStock Getty Images

School funding group talks inequities, boards, reassessment

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Delaware must decide to remodel its current house or build a completely new house. That’s the analogy used to describe needed changes to how the state funds its public schools by Michael Griffith, senior researcher and policy analyst at the Learning Policy Institute. He repeatedly used this mantra Thursday during the first formal meeting of the Public Education Funding Commission, …

The Redding Consortium voted on its budget for fiscal year 2025 Monday night.

Redding Consortium passes $14.6M budget for ‘25 fiscal year

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A New Castle County education agency plans to put $5.7 million into in-school health services and outside time service $3.7 million into pre-K in 2025. Those are the biggest items in the  Redding Consortium for Educational Equity’s $14.6 million budget, which began July 1. The consortium also will put $1.6 million into planning for redistricting Christina School District and removing …

Among other topics, the task force talked about the importance of engagement in Monday's meeting. (Photo by Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

School climate group stresses engagement, funding

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

As Delaware students head back to school, a state task force dedicated to keeping their environment positive had a major focus on family engagement and funding. The 24-member Student Behavior and School Climate Task Force, made of government and educational officials as well as school behavioral specialists and resource officers, first heard a presentation from Kendall Massett, executive director of …