Brandywine School District will explore new ways to formally evaluate Superintendent Lincoln Hohler this year.

Brandywine seeks help on superintendent evaluation 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The Brandywine School District voted Monday night to explore using the same new model for evaluate its superintendent that Christina decided to consider two months ago. The vote came after Brandywine School Board member Ralph Ackerman recommended contacting the Delaware School Boards Association to set up a workshop to talk about its program they would use with Superintendent Lincoln Hohler. …

Heather Hitchens at the award ceremony Wednesday night. (Delaware Department of Education)

Lake Forest’s Heather Hitchens named support professional of year

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Heather Hitchens of Lake Forest Central has been named Delaware 2023 Educational Support Professional of the Year. A paraprofessional, she works with students with disabilities in small classroom and inclusion settings. “I ensure students with disabilities participate to the best of their ability, whether that be maneuvering their wheelchair to score a goal or learning a picture communication system to …

District school boards are responsible with hiring and evaluating the superintendent. (Unsplash)

Many Del. districts don’t evaluate superintendents annually

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Even though the job of superintendent of education is one of the most powerful in a school district, many Delaware districts don’t perform annual reviews of theirs. “Some boards have a formal review, and some don’t,” said Donald Patton, board member of Christina School District. He was a teacher and principal for decades before being elected in May. “How do …

The Department of Education has released its 20 district and charter schools educator support professionals of the year. (Unsplash)

State to honor school workers who keep systems running

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The 20 individuals who have been named as Educational Support Professionals of the Year are the “glue that keeps our schools together.” “Educating kids through teachers is the goal and the mission of schools,” said John Marinucci, executive director of the Delaware School Board Association, “but the support folks handle all the things that have to take place around the …

Christina School District is looking for a new model to evaluate Superintendent Dan Shelton.

Christina board looking for new model to evaluate superintendent

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Christina School District’s school board explored a new model to evaluate its superintendent and other administrators during a board workshop Tuesday night.  Dr. John Marrinuci, executive director of the Delaware School Boards Association, showed a new plan to the board that was created by a different district’s board member as part of her doctoral dissertation.  It’s more in-depth than the …

Because the state ended its COVID leave mandate, Delaware teachers will now have to tap into their 10 sick days if they have COVID.

Teachers no longer granted 10-day COVID leave

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

For the first time since fall 2020, Delaware teachers will not be granted paid COVID-19 leave.  That means they have to use their normal sick leave if they or a family member gets sick. “The argument can be made that we’re further away from the craziness of COVID, so I get it,” said Jennifer Saunders, who’s taught in Red Clay …

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School indoor air quality bill heads to Senate floor

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

  While a bill to make schools check air quality annually and quickly fix any problems drew support Wednesday, several legislators questioned whether it would cost more than expected to fix problems. Ultimately, Senate Bill 270 passed and will be headed to the Senate floor.  SB  270 has been five years in the making, said sponsor Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Newark …

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School board elections open to voters Tuesday

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

  After weeks of candidates campaigning, Delaware’s 38 school board candidates face the voters Tuesday, May 10. Polls open on May 10 at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. While school board elections typically draw only 10% of the available voters, many Delaware organizations are hoping for a higher turnout this year. Jane Brady, chairwoman of the Delaware State …

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42 to compete for 19 school board seats in May 10 election

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Three seats only have one person running, but one seat in Red Clay School District has four people running. When Delaware residents go to the polls in May, they’ll find 19 school board seats up for grabs and 42 candidates who want them. The deadline to file to run in the 16 districts having elections was March 4. Of the …

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State School Boards Assn. condemns calling mask protests ‘domestic terrorism’

Charles MegginsonEducation, Headlines

The Delaware School Boards Association says it was not consulted before national group called for federal help over school mask protests.   The group that represents Delaware’s school boards does not agree with a national group’s characterizing protests over mask requirements and curriculum issues as hate crimes and acts of domestic terrorism. Those protesting are exercising their right to free …