Cape Henlopen School Board - at-large
*** No school board election will be held in Cape Henlopen School District in 2026; there is only one candidate for each open seat, so they will both assume office automatically. ***In Delaware, school board service is an unpaid elected position with a term of 4 years (5 years for board members elected prior to Dec 2021). School board elections are nonpartisan, and are held on the second Tuesday in May each year.The Cape Henlopen School District serves students in grades PK, K-12 in Milton, Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Its Board of Directors has seven members, one each from geographic areas A, B, C and D, and three additional "at-large" members (who may reside anywhere within the school district). The terms are staggered so that normally one or two seats come open each year. All residents 18 or older living within the district may vote for all races.
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Janis P. Hanwell
(N)
How can school districts entice more individuals to run for school boards?
Should Delaware consolidate school districts?
What is your background and how do those experiences and skills allow you to be an effective school board member?
How should school boards respond to community calls for removing any curriculum topics, subjects, books and programs?
What is the single most important issue facing your school district and how would you address it?
How would you ensure the district provides equitable access and meets the needs of all students, including traditionally under-served student populations such as students of color, low-income students, English-language learners and students receiving special education services?
How strongly do you agree or disagree with this statement: "Delaware needs more resource officers in the schools"?
Briefly explain your answer, if desired:
Neighborhood/area of residence
Lewes
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
Yes
School districts can strengthen the pool of school board candidates by educating the public about the role and responsibilities of board service and building relationships with engaged community members. This includes individuals involved in civic and community organizations, as well as those with professional expertise in areas such as finance, law, or education. Recruitment efforts should focus on building trust, encouraging community engagement, and developing a strong and diverse pipeline of future school board candidates.
I do not support school district consolidation. Smaller, locally governed districts are better able to respond to the unique needs and values of their communities and foster stronger school–community relationships. Large districts can become difficult to manage effectively and often move decision-making farther away from parents and local stakeholders. Promised cost savings are also uncertain, as mergers frequently require “leveling up” salaries and benefits, which can increase expenses. Consolidation can also create longer bus routes, higher transportation costs, and additional challenges related to contracts and facility management, without clear evidence of improved student outcomes.
I am currently completing my second five-year term on the school board. I spent 31 years in education as a K–12 special education teacher, principal, and district-level administrator, retiring from the Cape Henlopen School District in 2010 as assistant superintendent.
My experience in teaching, administration, and district leadership helps me support sound fiscal decision-making, open communication, and effective policies so Cape can continue providing high-quality programs and services for all students.
School boards should respond to curriculum or book removal requests by following established district policies, requiring formal written complaints, and using review committees to evaluate the materials. During the review process, materials should remain available. Boards must respect First Amendment protections by avoiding viewpoint discrimination while considering reasonable alternatives for individual students rather than blanket removal. Maintaining civil discourse and relying on the expertise of professional educators are also essential to ensuring thoughtful and balanced decisions.
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