Csd Feb10-From Ddoe
Transcript of Csd Feb10-From Ddoe
THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. IT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, SEXUAL
ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, DISABILITY, AGE OR VIETNAM ERA VETERAN’S STATUS IN EMPLOYMENT, OR ITS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION The Townsend Building
401 Federal Street Suite 2
Dover, Delaware 19901-3639
DOE WEBSITE: http://www.doe.k12.de.us
Mark T. Murphy Secretary of Education Voice: (302) 735-4000
FAX: (302) 739-4654
February 10, 2014
Dear Dr. Williams:
Thank you for the commitment you and your team have shown to students in the City of Wilmington
throughout the Priority Schools process. On behalf of the Department of Education, we appreciate the
significant efforts undertaken by you, parents, educators, and school leaders to develop plans to improve
opportunities for City students and take advantage of roughly $3 million the state has made available for
your schools.
As part of the process, the School Plans, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and Collective
Bargaining Agreements were due to the Department of Education on February 4, 2015, for Bancroft
Elementary School, Stubbs Elementary School, and Bayard Middle School. As of the date on this letter,
we have not received those materials, and we understand that the Christina School District School Board
has elected not to submit them.
As a result, according to state and federal regulations, and as discussed previously with you and your
team, the Christina School District must select one of the following options for each of the Priority
Schools: closure or school restructuring, such as hiring a charter or education management organization.
This decision is due to the Department by February 27, 2015. As you are evaluating these options,
the Department will provide further information and answer questions.
We also acknowledge that over the past few months, the Wilmington Education Advisory Group
established by Governor Markell’s Executive Order No. 46 has developed recommendations to improve
educational opportunities for students in the City. The Advisory Group recognized that the Christina
School District is one of the only non-contiguous school districts in the country, which makes it
challenging for City parents, families, and community members to engage in their schools. Thus,
among other things, the Group recommended redrawing district lines such that the District would no
longer serve students in Wilmington – including at the three Priority Schools for which the District is
planning. This proposal appears to have widespread support, including among community leaders and
elected officials who represent the City and surrounding area.
We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and other District leaders in advance of the
February 27th deadline to discuss the Advisory Group’s recommendation and the effect that a possible
governance change would have on the planning process for Christina’s Priority Schools moving
forward.
Please do not hesitate to contact Director of Accountability Penny Schwinn with questions: