Empowering Voters in Delaware’s School Board Elections

BY JULIA KELEHER, ED.D, MBA, PMP

The recent school board elections in Delaware marked a pivotal moment for education governance in our state. The choices made in these elections will shape the future of Delaware’s schools, influence student achievement, and determine how taxpayer dollars are spent. At First State Educate (FSE), we’ve worked to ensure these elections weren’t just a vote—they were an opportunity for communities to engage, make their voices heard, and demand better for our schools.

A Snapshot of Delaware’s School Board Elections

This year, Delaware’s school board races featured a mix of contested and uncontested seats, with some districts struggling to offer voters meaningful choices due to a lack of candidates.

In districts like Appoquinimink and Brandywine, competitive races brought multiple candidates into the spotlight. Appoquinimink saw four candidates vying for an at-large seat, while Brandywine had two candidates running for each of its three open seats. Meanwhile, other districts experienced minimal competition. Indian River and Woodbridge had fewer contested races, with Woodbridge’s at-large seat drawing only one candidate. Similarly, Laurel, Seaford, and Delmar each had just one candidate for their open seats.

The lack of competition highlights a critical issue: for school boards to truly reflect the diversity and needs of their communities, more people must step up to run. This year’s election showed the importance of increasing engagement— not just on election day, but throughout the entire electoral process.

First State Educate is committed to fostering greater community involvement in school board elections because these positions—and the decisions made by those who hold them—are vital to the future of our schools and students.

Catalyzing Informed Decision-Making

At First State Educate, our engagement in school board elections isn’t just about filling seats—it’s about ensuring that both candidates and voters are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions that shape the future of education.

This year, we took a comprehensive approach to supporting candidates and fostering an informed electorate by:

Candidate Training: We provided a free, four-part training series to help candidates understand school board responsibilities, define their platform, engage their community, and prepare for forums and surveys.

Candidate Survey & Public Awareness: We developed and published a candidate survey, using our website and social media to help voters compare candidates.

Community Engagement Platform: We launched an online portal to connect candidates with the community, fostering transparency and open dialogue.

Public Forums & Discussions: We hosted at least one candidate forum in each county, giving voters direct access to candidates and meaningful discussions about education.

District Blueprints: We outlined existing school board expertise and identified needed skills, helping voters make choices based on district needs.

Ongoing Voter Education: Our monthly webinars continued to educate the community on school board roles and their impact.

Expanding Access for All Voters: We published candidate information in Spanish to ensure all voters, regardless of language, had equal access to critical election information.

The Work Ahead: A Collective Responsibility

Despite increasing awareness of school board elections, voter turnout remains too low to ensure broad community representation. These races determine who makes critical decisions about our schools, yet too many voices are still missing from the process. What happens next—how board members lead, how they are held accountable, and how communities stay engaged—determines whether our schools improve.

Leadership matters, and strong boards make strong schools. FSE is committed to ensuring that newly elected board members have the knowledge and preparation to lead effectively because governance is a skill that must be developed.

We also work to ensure that the public has access to the information and opportunities needed to stay engaged— school board decisions impact every student and every community, and people deserve to know how and why those decisions are made.

Finally, accountability remains a priority. The right leadership, supported by an engaged community, leads to better outcomes for students. When school boards are informed, transparent, and responsive, the entire education system benefits.

If you care about strengthening Delaware’s education system, now is the time to engage. The leadership of our schools directly impacts student outcomes, and strong governance requires informed, active participation. Contact FSE to learn more about how you can support effective school board leadership, ensure accountability, and contribute to meaningful change. The future of our students—and the strength of our communities—depends on the decisions we make today.

Julia Keleher, Ed.D, MBA, PMP is the executive director of First State Educate.