May 14, 2014
Local News
Cape Gazette
Great things take time; we have to be willing to commit
An opinion by Don Flood
Great things take time. We have to be willing to commit. That’s it in a nutshell. I believe Common Core offers a way forward. That doesn’t mean it will be an easy road. More likely, it means the opposite. But ask yourself: Are the people clamoring against Common Core for something better? Or are they just against Common Core?
Myers elected to Cape school board
Newcomer Alison Myers won the at-large seat for the Cape Henlopen school board May 13 garnering 659. Her closest challenger was Juan Saez with 391, followed by Terri Carey with 373, Meyer Persow with 161 and Bob Bennett with 154.
Dover Post
John Martin Jr. wins seat on Capital Board of Education
John C. Martin Jr. was elected to the Capital School District Board of education in Tuesday’s election. Martin will be replacing Phillip Martino Jr., who decided to step down from the board after serving for 10 years. Six candidates vied for the at-large seat, which has a five year term, but in the end Martin came out on top with a total of 329 votes.
Jessica Marelli elected to Caesar Rodney Board of Education
Two candidates vied for one at-large seat on the Caesar Rodney Board of Education in Tuesday’s election. Jessica Marelli earned the seat, which carries a five year term, with 639 votes, beating out Flavous Statham, who earned 520 votes.
Lake Forest School District holds public meeting regarding upcoming referendum
The Lake Forest School District hosted a public meeting on Monday night to inform district residents about the details of the district’s upcoming referendum, which is scheduled for May 28. The $7.7 million capital referendum is being held to request funding for projects at all six of the district’s schools.
Middletown Transcript
Abrams wins re-election to Appoquinimink school board
Norm Abrams won re-election to a second, five-year term on the Appoquinimink school board Tuesday, defeating political newcomer Debbie Harrington by a vote of 364 to 188.
Delaware State News
Incumbents are big winners in Indian River school board election
Voters in the Selbyville area cast overwhelming support to current Indian River School District board of education members Tuesday, re-electing Douglas Hudson and W. Scott Collins. Current IRSD board members Dr. Donald G. Hattier (District 4) and Nina R. Bunting (District 3), both of Dagsboro, were unopposed in re-election bids. They also will start their five-year board terms July 1, 2014, running through June 30, 2019.
The News Journal
Incumbents retain seats in school voting
Delaware filled 21 seats on local school boards across the state Tuesday with typically small turnouts and little drama. Every school district had at least one seat up for grabs. More than a third of the seats were filled without an election because there was only one candidate. All but five of the races that went to a vote included an incumbent, and all of those incumbents won re-election, according to unofficial figures from each county’s department of elections.
Teaching young people about Brown v. Board’s legacy
An op-ed by Samuel Hoff, is the George Washington Distinguished Professor of History and Political Science and Law Studies Director at Delaware State University
Taking steps to ensure the positive legacy of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling involves individuals, groups and government itself. The local school board is the place to begin in that parents should make sure schools fully practice integration and resources are equal for all within the district. Local and state government must support efforts to equalize educational opportunities for persons of all races and ethnic backgrounds, not only because it is the law but because it is the best approach for students.
Elements of ‘de facto’ segregation?
A letter to the editor by David Stockman, Newark
This month marks the 60th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Delaware was part of this case and was under federal oversight until 1995. In anticipation of federal oversight being lifted, the Delaware legislature passed laws in 1995 allowing charter schools and school choice. Numerous state legislators noted the potential resegregative impact.
WDDE
Low turnout for school board elections in Delaware
Voters that did show up have spoken in school board elections across the state. Turnout was low up and down the Delaware. Only two races drew more than a thousand votes and in New Castle County no race reached 600 ballots cast.
State auditors office questions salary of Cape Henlopen H.S. administrator
A state audit of the Cape Henlopen School District released last week drew attention one of the high school’s administrators. Chief Administrative Auditor Kathleen Davies says the audit was conducted after her agency received more than one complaint about Dean of Students Bill Collick’s compensation.
National News
Education Week
Pre-K enrollment dropped, funding rose in 2012-13
Spending in state-funded preschools rose a modest $36 per child in the 2012-2013 school year, a new federally funded report says. But state preschool enrollment also dropped by about 9,200 children, the first time a decline has been catalogued since 2001. The report also highlighted gaps in the availability of pre-K nationwide.
Casper Star-Tribune
Wyoming won’t receive federal waiver
Wyoming will not receive a federal waiver that would ease consequences for schools under the No Child Left Behind Act.
The Associated Press
Florida to pause system for a year
Bills to overhaul the state’s school grading system and respond to complaints about Florida’s move to Common Core standards were among more legislation signed by Gov. Rick Scott.
The Star-Ledger
N.J. Senate moves grants program bill
The New Jersey Senate passed a bill that would create a competitive grants program to promote student participation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.
Des Moines Register
Iowa enlists coaches, mentors
Des Moines, Iowa’s largest public school district, is one of a few Iowa school districts that have revamped their new teacher mentoring programs in an effort to increase staff retention and improve student achievement.