/* */ /* Mailchimp integration */
Stay Informed! Sign up for the A Better Delaware email newsletter here.
Follow Us
2808
wp-singular,post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-2808,single-format-standard,wp-theme-stockholm,wp-child-theme-stockholm-child,stockholm-core-1.0.8,select-child-theme-ver-1.1,select-theme-ver-5.1.5,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,menu-animation-underline,header_top_hide_on_mobile,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-6.0.2,vc_responsive
January 21, 2025 In Blog

HOW TO HELP KIDS SUCCEED IN LIFE: BECOME A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER

By: Nancy Mercante, Guest Contributor

“Our educational system is in the grip of a crisis caused by low standards, lack of purpose, ineffective use of resources, and a failure to challenge students to push performance to the boundaries of individual ability.”– President Ronald Reagan after the release of “A Nation at Risk” report he commissioned 42 years ago.

The problems in education that President Reagan highlighted from A Nation at Risk still hold true today. We’ve lost too many generations to a poor education. It’s past time we fixed Delaware’s failing school system, which is near the bottom in the nation in academic achievement while near the top in spending per student. Is it fair to children of public schools that we as a community are failing them because we don’t demand better?

How do we start? By electing local school boards filled with common-sense members. Citizens who step forward as school board candidates could have an enormous impact in bringing a return to academic excellence in Delaware.

Serving on a school board enables you to:

  • Support student and educator success.
  • Promote transparency and accountability.
  • Collaborate with the community and parents.
  • Uplift children’s lives.

The founding of this country depends on citizens becoming involved in government, including public education. While we certainly need educators on our school boards, we also need business leaders, community representatives and especially parents. These are the kind of people who are better connected with the broader needs of our communities.

The best candidates are principled, good listeners, willing to learn, and advocate for the education and well-being of students in ways that align with shared values of the community.

Becoming a school board member is a chance to make a direct impact on the future of education in your community. It’s also a way to drive common-sense reform that will make all Delaware schools effective centers of learning again. As a school board member, you can expect to take on a multifaceted role that involves governance, oversight of the superintendent and budgets, setting educational policies, and community engagement.

Now is the time to decide if this role appeals to you.

Mark your calendar!

March 7, 4:30 p.m. is the deadline to file as a candidate for school board election. The requirement to run is that you live in the district of the open seat, are not currently a paid employee in that school district, can pass a background check, and have a passion for helping kids. Go to the Delaware Department of Elections/School Board for details.

May 12 is election day. Vote!

For other questions, text me at 302-307-2485 and visit citizensfordelawareschools.org to see which seats are up for election.

 Nancy Mercante, communications professional, has worked for major corporations within the financial, pharmaceutical and telecommunications industries. She founded Citizens for Delaware Schools, a nonpartisan nonprofit, two years ago to increase awareness of how and why our education system is failing children in Delaware so Delawareans can demand a better education for every student.