Three candidates vie for two four-year terms on Delmar School Board

The Delmar School Board election will take place on May 12 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Candidates Neil Baker, Shawn Brittingham, and Jordan Johnson are running for a pair of open seats (four-year terms) on the Delmar School Board which are currently held by outgoing board members Dawn Litchford and Farrah Morelli. The following are the candidates’ answers to the Star’s questions:

1. Why are you running?-

Baker- As a graduate of Delmar High School, I am deeply appreciative of the education I received and of the commitment demonstrated by prior board members, educators, and administrators who made that experience possible. Given the significant decisions and challenges facing the board in the coming years, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to contribute thoughtfully and constructively.

Brittingham– I am running for the Delmar School Board because I know I can make a difference. Education is a challenge for a school district and is constantly changing. Having experience with education, I am confident I can help Delmar with their plans for the future. Change is inevitable, progress is optional. I choose progress.

Johnson- I am running for the Delmar School Board because of the deep love I have for this school and this community. I want to see our schools return to a place where students, staff, and families are proud to be part of them and where the broader community is proud to offer its support.

2. What relevant experience do you have?-

Brittingham- I served 23 years on the Delmar School Board as a member, Vice President and President. I served on the Delaware State Board of Education for six years. I was nominated by then Governor John Carney. I served as a member, Vice President and President for four years.

Johnson- I have worked in this school district for 15 years as a paraprofessional in a variety of roles, including special education, one-on-one support, and in-school suspension (ISS). In addition, I have coached student-athletes in this district for 18 years at the middle school, junior varsity, and varsity levels, including football, soccer, and baseball.

Since August 2008, I have also worked with travel youth sports organizations, mentoring and developing young people between the ages of 8 and 18.

Baker- I have a deeply rooted connection to the school, the district and the community. Having served on varying boards, I currently serve on the COBC for the district, the citizen budgetary oversight committee for the district. This has afforded me the working knowledge of the financial challenges that the district faces and opportunities to ensure community and legislative awareness of said challenges.

3. What are your top two priorities if elected?

Johnson- My first priority is ensuring that all decisions are made with a “students first” mindset. Whether that be academic, extracurricular, or otherwise. My second priority is increasing transparency throughout the entire district.

Baker- 1. Ensuring the students and teachers of the district are provided every opportunity to be successful.

2. Transparency in decision-making impacting the students, staff and tax-paying community.

Brittingham- To ensure there is reliable, effective and open-minded leadership at all levels in the school district. Also want to make sure we retain our great teachers as they have one of the demanding positions in education. Without those two priorities, your school system will not be successful.

4. What is the school board/district doing well?

Baker- The board’s focus on student safety is essential. I support proactive and preventative measures that ensure the safety and well‑being of all who enter the building, foster a learning‑focused environment, and preserve the strong sense of community that has defined the Delmar School District for decades.

Brittingham- The district after numerous leadership changes is now moving forward. The district is continually evolving and planning for future. The district is committed in improving safety for all parties in the school. The district has an obligation to protect our staff and students. Safety is paramount in this day and age.

Johnson- Our district is our educators. They are the fuel that runs the machine. Without them, our school is nothing. Our educators continue to be efficient and are getting competitive test scores, even with limited funding and resources. While this district has constantly had to do more with less, I think everyone would like to see what kind of efficiency we would have with adequate funding.

5. What are areas the school board/district needs to improve upon?

Brittingham– A board needs to work together to be successful. You can agree to disagree but at the end of the day, you must be united too for progress to move forward.

Johnson- The district must improve transparency at all levels. In addition, it is essential that we consistently maintain a student-first approach in everything we do. This includes regularly checking in with teachers and ensuring they have the resources and support needed to effectively educate the students in our community.

Baker- There is opportunity for further community transparency on the state of the district. Decisions that will impact the community through referendum and taxation should be strategic and transparent. A thorough understanding of things such as student to teacher/student to class room ratios, teacher salary comparisons relative to neighboring districts, school consolidation avoidance and school tax impacts are top of mind and must be addressed. These are difficult discussions requiring asking tough questions and board accountability.

6. Do you support holding a referendum to help pay for operational costs?

Johnson- If a referendum is truly necessary, then I would support it. If it is not, then I would not. Currently, our schools are operating at 126 percent capacity. Classrooms are overcrowded, and teachers are doing everything they can under difficult circumstances. This issue did not develop overnight, and I have been vocal about it for nearly 10 years. The district’s inability or unwillingness to fully address or prepare for it has brought us to where we are today.

Baker- I support transparency and fiscal responsibility. Given the district’s current financial position, a strategic review is necessary. Supporting an operating referendum without considering the broader context would be short‑sighted and warrants thorough discussion by both the board and the community. An operating referendum may be one of several difficult decisions ahead, but it cannot be made in isolation. That discussion must account for competing factors, including enrollment growth that exceeds current capacity, the potential need for a new school, efforts to avoid consolidation and the relative value of school tax dollars in western Sussex compared to other districts statewide.

Brittingham- Yes, I do support a referendum. No one likes to pay more taxes, however, it is the obligation of the community to support Delmar schools. The district needs to plan on land acquisition, the possibility of a new school and major renovations for the existing structure. Delmar has the oldest high school in Sussex County. A school is a building with four walls and on the inside is the future. We must allow our students every opportunity to be successful in the future.

7. Why are you the best person for the job?

Baker- I won’t profess to be the best person for the role, I do, however, have a strong personal stake in this community and deep appreciation for the educators and students who define the district. My wife and oldest daughter are Delmar graduates, and I currently have a daughter in high school. Like any parent in the district, the well‑being and stability of the district directly impact my family and me.

Brittingham- Experience matters. I understand the educational system because of my experience at local and state levels. There will be no down time as I know what it takes to be successful on a school board. Again, experience matters.

Johnson- With 15 years of experience working directly with students and 18 years as a coach in this district, I bring a unique, ground-level perspective. I have seen firsthand the challenges and successes within our schools. I can relate to both students and teachers, and I am committed to being honest about the issues we face. I plan to ask the tough questions and address concerns that others may be unwilling to raise.