Campaign Phone
3023835882
Neighborhood/area of residence
Middletown
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
N
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
0
Until now, I had no idea how involved such a campaign could be. One of the biggest obstacles is funding. Since this is an unpaid position, perhaps resources such as newspaper articles, radio ads (PSAs), and other similar means of advertisement could be made available to them at no cost.
I don't agree that this would be a good approach in all cases. Districts like Appoquinimink are already quite large and if combined with another could easily result in chaos and a lack of accountability. However, for those districts with declining enrollment, such a move could provide much-needed cost savings. I would like to know why the commission that was created to study this issue was suddenly paused.
As a retired teacher with 30 years of classroom experience, I will bring a relevant and often overlooked perspective to the role. Too often board policies seem to ignore the impact on the classroom and the burdens they create for teachers who are already stretched to their limits. I want to examine every policy through a classroom-first lens.
First, we should respectfully listen to their concerns, then complete a thorough review of the materials in question. Are these materials being used in other parts of the state? The country? Is there any research to support their continued use in our schools? However, when it comes to school libraries, the politicians in Dover passed a law that removed this oversight function from local boards and placed this control in the hands of our legislature.
The district is facing severe community backlash from its recent mishandling of finances. It is imperative that the board take immediate steps to not only review the current financial standing, but the budget and expenditures must be made available to the public in a manner that does not require a CPA certification in order to understand them. The board must find ways to assure the public that their concerns are being taken seriously, that their voices are being heard, and that concrete steps are be taken to ensure that such a situation will not be repeated. All of these actions must be done as publicly as legally possible.
As the parent of a spec-ed child I understand the concern that such issues generate. However, I believe that our teachers are already doing a tremendous job for our under-served population.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
Our children, and those who have dedicated their lives to their enrichment, are our most precious resource. As such, does it make more sense that we protect a bank lobby or a shopping mall to a greater degree than we do schools? The schools where politicians often send their children have definitive and effective security, are the children of tax payers any less deserving? Finally, such personnel in the schools helps students to foster a healthy relationship with the LEO community.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Campaign Phone
3025840589
Neighborhood/area of residence
Levels Road, Middletown
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
yes
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
all of them (approximately 16 including workshops)
We currently have 6 candidates running for 2 open spots in Appoquinimink, so I think we're okay about this; and we have had contested seats in all but 2 elections going back some 20 years or so. Our seats are all "at large" and I think that helps.
For school districts where candidates must live in certain "nominating districts" to run in a particular election, that shrinks the potential pool of candidates, and people who may want to run have to wait until their "nominating district" has an election, which could be years, rather than just running in the next election. I understand the theory of "nominating districts" as a way to ensure all parts of a district are represented, but it does make it harder for interested folks to run.
Absolutely not. The larger the school district, and the larger the bureaucracy, the less local accountability and less impact that parents, residents and teachers can have. One need look no further than any large city (Philadelphia, NYC, Chicago, etc.) to understand that the larger the district, the less the accountability. Plus, studies show that consolidating districts in Delaware will not reduce costs, but increase them. Currently, there is a proposal to consolidate the 4 most northern districts in New Castle County (Brandywine, Red Clay, Christina, and Colonial). That was tried (and failed) when busing first started in 1978. But, if those districts are consolidated now, how big should that school board be? 28 members?
I am an attorney with an understanding of many of the issues facing school districts, including land use, real estate, property tax, construction law, employment issues, financing, etc. I am also familiar with the legislative process and drafted Delaware's Voluntary School Assessment Fee legislation, which requires new homes to pay an impact fee to their local school district towards school construction. Finally, having served on the school board for 15 years, I have helped initiate many changes/improvements, including language immersion, smartphone limitations, the enhanced high school course catalog, a parent/visitor code of conduct, streaming of our meetings on YouTube (now required by state law, but not when we started) and more.
First, I think we need to listen with respect to any such community calls; second, I think we need to look at state law requirements (our hands are often tied, and there are now certain procedures that must be followed, for example, with calls to remove books from libraries are made); third, in addition to the community, we would want to hear from our parents, administrators, teachers, and staff; and, finally, it comes down (as it always does) to making the decision that is in the best interests of our students taking all appropriate factors into account. Without a specific example, it is hard to say more than that.
For Appoquinimink, the most important issue has always been funding. Although we have the second highest number of students in the state, our district has the smallest tax base of the 5 districts in New Castle County, and the lowest operating tax rate. As a result, we have the lowest operating expenses per student of any of the New Castle County districts. We also have the fewest administrators and the lowest paid administrators. We are constantly stretching our dollars.
And yet, we are ranked in the top 4% of all school districts in the country by Niche.com (our teachers are ranked in the top 3%); and, our average SAT score is 50 points higher than the state average.
Our strategic plan calls for this to be one of our areas of concentration, and we are continuously monitoring this issue with reports to the Board quarterly. We work hard to identify students with these needs and make sure they get the supports they need. Our special education programs are recognized as a model for the rest of the state.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
In Appoquinimink, we have a constable in every school and, in addition, we also have an SRO at each of our three high schools. And, generally speaking, this seems to be an appropriate level and we are not aware of any issues or complaints. Schools must be safe, and our students, parents, teachers, and staff must all feel safe.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Campaign Phone
3023591196
Neighborhood/area of residence
Augustine Creek
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
N
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
1
School districts can attract more candidates by making it clear that no one has to come in as an expert—strong training and ongoing learning opportunities can prepare anyone committed to students. Providing structured onboarding, mentorship from experienced board members, and access to workshops on budgeting, student outcomes, and governance can build confidence and effectiveness. I’ve seen through my work at Delaware Kids CAN how investing in leadership development leads to better decision-making and stronger results. When people know they’ll be supported and equipped to succeed, they’re much more likely to step forward and serve.
Delaware should be open to conversations about efficiency, but consolidation should not be pursued as an end in itself. The real question is whether any change would improve student outcomes, strengthen support for families and teachers, and make better use of taxpayer dollars. I would support examining shared services and other cost-saving strategies first, while keeping local accountability and community voice at the center. Any proposal for consolidation should be judged by results, not just structure.
I serve as the Executive Director of Delaware Kids CAN, where I work statewide to improve education policy, strengthen student outcomes, and advocate for families and educators. That experience has given me a deep understanding of what drives success in math and literacy, how to use data to guide decisions, and how to balance strong outcomes with fiscal responsibility.
I also bring experience building partnerships across communities, which is essential for supporting teachers and increasing family engagement. As a school board member, I will use those skills to focus on results, ensure responsible budgeting, and make decisions that reflect both evidence and the voices of our community.
School boards should take community concerns seriously, but also ensure students have access to a broad, high-quality education that prepares them to think critically. Exposure to a range of viewpoints and ideas is essential for developing strong literacy skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to engage thoughtfully with the world around them. I support clear, transparent review processes that consider concerns while relying on professional expertise and educational value, not individual objections alone.
Ultimately, our responsibility is to support teachers and ensure students are learning, growing, and developing the skills they need to succeed, including the ability to understand and evaluate different perspectives.
The most important issue facing our district is ensuring all students are proficient in math and literacy, because those skills are the foundation for every future opportunity. While Appoquinimink is a strong district, we cannot be satisfied if any group of students is falling behind.
I would focus on expanding evidence-based instruction, using data to identify gaps early, and ensuring teachers have the support and resources they need to help every student succeed. At the same time, we must focus on the whole child by recognizing that mental health, school climate, and trauma-informed supports are essential to helping students learn and thrive.
Ensuring equitable access means using resources strategically and being accountable for results. As a member of the Public Education Funding Commission, I’ve worked for years to advance weighted student funding so low-income students, English learners, and students with disabilities generate additional flexible dollars. With that reform, the school board must ensure those funds are used effectively—prioritizing targeted literacy and math interventions, strong supports for English learners, and high-quality special education services.
I would expect clear tracking of outcomes for each student group, regular reporting, and adjustments when strategies aren’t working. Equity requires not just more funding, but disciplined use of those funds.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
I neither agree nor disagree because school safety isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some schools may benefit from resource officers, but others may see greater impact from investing in mental health supports, counselors, and trauma-informed practices. School boards should use data and community input to determine the right mix of supports. Safety is about both security and ensuring students feel supported and connected.
