Copyright Wilmington News Journal
One Delaware school district is still looking for a new board member. This week, or until Nov. 14, the Christina School District is seeking applicants to fill a vacant seat until the next school board election in the spring. One Delaware nonprofit is also seeking applications from board members to take advantage of project grants to help their boards or school districts. In this weekly roundup, we'll catch you up on these and other education updates you may have missed. (Did we miss another good education story? Let me know: kepowers@gannett.com.) Last call: Applications open for vacant seat on Christina school board, Delaware board grants The Christina School District has extended its application deadline for one vacant seat on its school board, according to a district spokesperson. That's the seat of Naveed Baqir – representing District F since 2021, working virtually since about early 2024 – which the board officially declared vacant on Oct. 15. He had been living in Pakistan for well over a year. Candidates may now submit a letter of interest and resume until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14. The district previously set Nov. 7 as the deadline, but pushed it back a week due to a "technical issue." Requirements, at a glance: Application form Criminal Background Check and Child Protection Registry Consent Form Resume, as well as a "letter of interest" answering: Why you are seeking a seat on the Board of education? And, what you hope to accomplish as a board member? Must be a citizen of the United States and Delaware, live in the school district and be 18 years of age or older at the time of the election. Must be a resident within Nominating District F, which hugs Christina's southern end near Bear, south of Old Baltimore Pike. Cannot be a paid employee of the district subject to rules & regulations of the board. Must never have been convicted of embezzlement. To apply: Submit via email: boardvacancy@christina.k12.de.us By mail: Christina School District ATTN: Public Information Office, 1899 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19702 Look back: Christina school board ousts member working from Pakistan for over a year and a half There's another deadline at the end of the week. Delaware school board members can still apply for up to $2,000 in grants to drive a "transformative" project for their district, thanks to one Delaware nonprofit. First State Educate is offering its "2025 Capacity Grants" in an effort to reflect "growing recognition that local boards play a critical role in shaping student success and community trust, yet often lack dedicated resources," according to its press release in October. Board members could use this to fund internal training as well, per FSE, from school funding and coming reform, to understanding the science of reading aligned with state early literacy initiatives. More information and applications for these and other grants are available online. Grants close Sunday, Nov. 16. Del-Tech opens new museum and conference center to the public The John and Elsie Williams House Museum and Conference Center now stands alongside a familiar Millsboro family home, honoring a couple that impacted "the community, state and nation." The 1927 home, at West State and Washington streets, was given to Delaware Technical Community College by the daughter of the Williamses, Blanche Baker, according to a press release on Nov. 8. She wanted to home to be transformed to a place where the community could gather and learn about its history. U.S. Sen. Williams represented his native First State in the U.S. Senate from 1947 until 1970, Delaware Tech shared in a press release after the museum's grand opening. Often called “The Conscience of the Senate,” the college said he was a fearless opponent to "wasteful government, bureaucracy and corruption." In all, Williams served Delaware for 24 years. He saw the administrations of Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon from his post, before he later died in 1988 at 83 years old. Baker got to tour the completed renovations honoring her parents in December 2024, before she died in March at 100 years old. Now, several rooms – and the adjoining conference center – will focus on Williams’ public service career, as well as the "significant role" Elsie played in both Washington D.C. and locally. As Baker's own daughter, Janet Baker McCarty, said: “She passed knowing her dream had come true: sharing her parents’ legacy with all Delawareans and people far and wide." Delaware school districts could change: Major school redistricting in Wilmington could take these 3 shapes, as timeline shifts UD Hillel breaks ground on new Jewish student center The ground has been broken for a new Kristol Center for Jewish Life at the University of Delaware. Back on Sunday, Oct. 26, university officials, university leaders and more broke ground on a center aimed to "meet the social, religious and cultural needs of the burgeoning Jewish student population" on campus, now about 13% of undergrad population according to UD. While the original Krisol Center has served as that home for UD Hillel students since 1993, a new 18,000-square-foot building will boast an event hall for Shabbat dinners seating 250 students, study spaces, a beit midrash and much more. Hillel has already raised $9.5 million of its $12 million goal for the new Kristol Center, per UD. "Delaware is home to a strong and vibrant Jewish community, and I'm proud to celebrate this groundbreaking moment alongside students, families, and leaders who have worked so hard to make it happen,” Gov. Matt Meyer said in a statement following the groundbreaking. UD holidays: University of Delaware decision moves Newark's annual Christmas tree display to City Hall Got another education tip? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com.
