Students coming from financially disadvantaged families could soon all get free meals in Delaware schools. House Bill 125, sponsored by Rep. Sherae’a Moore, D-Middletown, requires all public schools to offer a free breakfast and lunch every day to students who qualify for a reduced-price meal. The bill, now officially styled as House Substitute Bill 2 for House Bill 125, is …
House committee rejects bill to create student felony assault
A week after the Milford School District was placed on lockdown and subsequently closed to ensure student safety, a new bill was introduced to the General Assembly to punish those who commit assault in schools. House Bill 22, sponsored by Rep. Lyndon Yearick, R-Camden, makes intentionally or recklessly causing physical injury to an employee, contractor or subcontractor of a public …
Bill to mandate free school meals could cost state millions
Six Democratic state legislators are sponsoring legislation that would require all public schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students. House Bill 125, whose primary sponsor is Rep. Sherae’a Moore, D-Middletown, was introduced in April, but never heard by the General Assembly, which returns to session in January. Moore declined an interview to discuss the bill. The bill …
8 bills pass Senate, ready to become Delaware law
Eight bills were discussed and passed through the Senate Thursday and are heading to Gov. John Carney’s desk for signature in what is the last week of the legislative session. Here’s what is set to become law: House Bill 65, also sponsored by Rep. Debra Heffernan, D-Brandywine Hundred South, provides state employees who suffer a miscarriage, stillbirth or other loss, …
Buckson calls for accountability, discipline in schools
A law establishing a statewide program that provides advocates to students and families facing educational inequity drew discussion in the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday. House Bill 188, sponsored by Rep. Sherae’a Moore, D-Middletown, codifies the Equity Ombudsman program, which provides non-lawyer advocates to assist families. “In 2018 there was litigation against the state … brought by the NAACP and …
Moore hawks bill to give all students free breakfast, lunch
Rep. Sherae’a Moore, D-Middletown, pushed her bill to give all Delaware students free breakfast and lunch during a roundtable discussion Wednesday evening. The roundtable at Everett Meredith Middle School included administrators, medical professionals, teachers, school nutritionists and other stakeholders who would like to see universal free breakfast and lunch. Several members of the table said that hunger affects students, both …
Appoquinimink breaks ground on new Louis L. Redding school
A historic Middletown school building is getting a $57.1 million makeover. The Louis L. Redding Building, part of Appoquinimink School District and named after the first Black practicing lawyer in Delaware, will have a new home in two years. District and government officials on Tuesday broke ground on the new building, which will be right in front of the current …
Bill to study, encourage early childhood workforce heads to House floor
A bill requiring the state to conduct an annual workforce study of early childhood professionals and help the pool of workers earn more unanimously passed the House Education Committee. House Bill 377, sponsored by Sherae’a Moore, D-Middletown, would have the Department of Education do the annual study, with the first due by Nov. 15, 2022, along with a …
Proposed House redistricting offers more changes than Senate
Sussex County House districts will change a lot if proposed plan goes forward. House Democratic leadership has released their proposed redistricting maps and Sussex County will pick up a seat — that of embattled Representative Gerald Brady, a Democrat from Wilmington. The House of Representatives will convene in a special session on Nov. 1 to finalize the maps that …
151st General Assembly opens an era of virtual gatherings
Democrat McBride cites ‘inequities in our justice system, a climate crisis at our shores and a crisis of trust.’ Republican Pettyjohn seeks ‘common ground.’