[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6696177,"mediaKeyId","2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97","parentId",2173462,"title","Lake Forest Community Education Foundation presents Spartan Hero award, funds 21 classroom grants","audioSeconds",1703,"startMs",734000,"endMs",2437000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97&start=734&end=2437","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97/thumbnail_734000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6696177/Delaware/Lake-Forest-Community-Education-Foundation-presents-Spartan-Hero-award-funds-21-classroom-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696177-556758be102c22572ab72050da7fd1a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442664&Signature=OJXVU~ffVkEAh~sbkeKz86KeOdyLmLi6JxyQlGvhofF5hK26WVBnmUO~Ugw4CGlbGmzdDyEX1q2pa-gRwz5Ki0UUzive8r~T8l3g0t4bh-5F88x9Fx2gZcpxN-ptbxNrWT-Ph07eyWwrMiK6DGMvpCZt~aG-PRhR5VRBVMiUzex3n768WIGg9j~VbNS0nyaTOwb812C-8PMCl7i4y~5FVpy6D53LER141ekH6Tcdy42XsNiEj9U~0BI5TalpMYxRdFFx1wxttGo6hjxa39UEylRVyejlZ3l8ZIE8zRkgS6TQn1Nvcb-bLCYciSXSxJx9s9jrkMSpR1huFN87UlnaVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake Forest School District","date","2025-01-25T06:15:47.583Z","article","The Lake Forest Community Education Foundation honored the town of Felton with its 2024 Spartan Hero Award and announced awards totaling $15,428.44 to 21 classroom and school projects at the board's Jan. 23 meeting.

Mary Voshel and Donna Sharp of the foundation presented the award and grant summaries. \"The town of Felton is receiving this award for its consistent and enduring dedication and service to high quality public education for Lake Forest students,\" a foundation representative read when presenting the Spartan Hero citation.

The presentation highlighted the foundation's Gobble Wobble 5K, now in its eighth year, as the primary fundraiser. Foundation staff said the event had 407 registrations, approximately 375 attendees and about 175 participating students, with net grant proceeds of a little more than $9,000 after expenses. The foundation reported generating more than $17,000 in gross income and noted increased sponsorship revenue from new sponsors.

Grant recipients ranged from early-literacy supports and phonics materials to science tanks and field-trip transportation. Examples the foundation read into the record included a $979.33 grant for \"Advancing Phonics Word Work Materials\" at Lake Forest Central Elementary, a $1,000 grant to support bus transportation for a high school French trip to France, and a $962.19 grant to fund an after-school LEGO club at Lake Forest North Elementary.

Donna Sharp summarized the awards: \"We are putting these proceeds and the district's endowment all towards the work. We are not holding back, and we're proud to come together tonight to present $15,428.44 among the 21 grants.\" The grants also included smaller awards for counseling programs, classroom interventions, reading programs in Spanish and funding for inclusive student experiences.

Why it matters: The foundation's grants pay for one-time materials, trips and pilot projects that the district said will support students across grade levels, with several projects explicitly targeted at struggling readers, multilingual learners and students needing social-emotional supports.

Board members thanked the foundation for the work. Superintendent Dr. Owens and board members noted the partnership's role in the district's broader community engagement efforts.

No formal board action was required for the presentations; the board accepted the report and recognized foundation volunteers on the record.

Ending: Foundation leaders urged teachers and school leaders to claim awarded funds through the district's administrative process and thanked volunteers and sponsors for supporting the Gobble Wobble event.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting 01 23 25","oneSentenceSummary","The Lake Forest Community Education Foundation honored the town of Felton with its Spartan Hero Award and announced more than $15,400 in classroom and program grants funded largely by proceeds from the Gobble Wobble 5K and the district's endowment.","taxTitle","Lake Forest School District, School Districts, Delaware","taxId",54973,"location","Delaware","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6696181,"Lake Forest board adopts final FY25 budget, projects $7.7 million year-end reserve",3850,2883000,6733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97&start=2883&end=6733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97/thumbnail_2883000.jpg","/articles/6696181/Delaware/Lake-Forest-board-adopts-final-FY25-budget-projects-77-million-year-end-reserve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696181-af3e0f108fc83adff7b0cc8a636d5090/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442664&Signature=WQNryqRICxq3UFctOYO0y2IIfyJ7j9-pBiNvoneXWxme66nRyUfAA-zHMDEaVinwyk2Nf1PyG8ISgAHBC6-mLMVN6UBoHk0LQUM6IF9TzaT7VEqUuuXbvRT96JYiMVbaWR9UVhmOw9BbEnhCRKi8AAraX0BFZaV3u3Ung-I4bdbhV52b7PTlV3sKhdj~8aYgep53R7GI5~-MvTYiwO1EkPkaKsu5g9l74M-x8h0mn-VKDBaUljUI0ZGoZ5Y9nX99ayd3oEyTrYR4nlWzPpSGLWTBNj6E9iccPzPDW9i~ls3qsvR3UtsNjmsngoFZfGvSDuHHr5fway8CGv8uKajncg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest Board of Education voted 5-0 Thursday to adopt the district's final fiscal year 2025 budget and financial position report.

Kurt Kelleman, the district's business manager, told the board that the district received \"over $1,600,000 additional state discretionary funds\" in the mid-year period and that those revenues, together with higher local interest receipts and additional Perkins grants, pushed the district into a projected surplus. \"Essentially we're looking at with those additional revenues primarily a surplus still of about $923,000,\" Kelleman said during his presentation.

The board's vote finalizes a budget that reflects rapid recent growth in Division 1 units (the state's unit-count metric for staffing funds). Kelleman said the district earned roughly 13 additional Division 1 units over two years and reached about 292 Division 1 units in the most recent count, a driver of both higher state formula revenues and increased local salary obligations.

Why it matters: The adopted budget increases projected reserves while also acknowledging near-term financial risks. Kelleman said the district projects an estimated year-end reserve of roughly $7.7 million if current assumptions hold, and he noted that long-term pressures include potential reductions in Title I funding, changes to the state equalization formula and the state-local share of any statutory starting-teacher-salary increase.

Most important facts: The board's mid-year financial review showed:
- State discretionary receipts increased by about $1.6 million since last month, per Kelleman.
- The Gobble Wobble-related grants and other local receipts raised other-local revenue and local interest income was higher than in prior months.
- The district projects an unencumbered local cash balance of about $12.4 million as of Dec. 31, 2024, a March 31 projection near $11.0 million and a June 30 projected reserve near $7.7 million.
- Kelleman emphasized that the district's unit-count gains have driven both revenue and expense growth: \"over the past 2 years we've had a $2,500,000 increase in our expenses,\" he said, and revenue growth has so far outpaced expenses.

Board members asked for context about risk. Kelleman said the state's equalization formula is under review and could be restructured in coming years; if fully adjusted without caps it could substantially change Lake Forest's equalization receipts. He also flagged the governor's phased plan for a $60,000 starting teacher salary and the local share that would be required to meet the state/local split.

During discussion, board members thanked staff for the clearer comparative presentation (preliminary vs. final vs. prior year) and pressed staff about assumptions on tuition payments for special placements, transportation matching, and how much of recently recognized state revenue is recurring. Kelleman said some mid-year items (for example, academic-excellence cash-ins) may affect division-2 and division-3 receipts late in the year, and that final actuals historically underspend budgeted amounts by roughly 2%–5%.

The formal motion to \"approve resolution 22.2 financial position report and final budget as presented\" passed unanimously, with the five members present voting yes.

Looking ahead: Kelleman said he expects unit growth to moderate from the recent rapid run-up but cautioned the board to plan for possible future changes to state funding formulas. The board will carry the adopted final budget into its year-end projections and will revisit actuals after Q3 reporting.

Vote: The board approved the final budget 5-0. Board members recorded as voting in favor were President Earl Dempsey, Vice President Starkey, Dr. White, Miss McCoskie and Mr. Rau.

Ending note: Kelleman closed by reminding the board that the district's strong reserve position stems largely from recent unit-count increases and that several state-level issues (equalization, Title I funding shifts and the starting-salary policy) remain material uncertainties for planning.","The Lake Forest Board of Education approved the district's final fiscal year 2025 budget and financial position report 5-0 after a detailed mid-year review that highlighted unit-count growth, added state discretionary revenues and potential risks from a state equalization formula review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":81,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6696162,"Board actions at a glance: Jan. 23, 2025 Lake Forest Board of Education meeting",6654,79000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97&start=79&end=6733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97/thumbnail_79000.jpg","/articles/6696162/Delaware/Board-actions-at-a-glance-Jan-23-2025-Lake-Forest-Board-of-Education-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696162-79c9fa90b173a9b99f0385561bf2c02d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442664&Signature=N8jQvr~MljkAsEFZBLckI0WJxzVD4dG1qA6Ve02axqDtVqNh2z~UM-4Vyb7ETI5iZ-aWUMYq9PjRW2NcXlQX8z9X2sa6NLvNlp7IiNvrGbOiPEc0a6jsHlnyjS0qbJopyipmxI9GxziTrf~ZDCGL3oWDUi~CSrI7Wy4~iuNJPLcSMUfGTeKxkPasEo7g7-LnwcgB6bAyDSZcxCmBF1PF1u9ohxLXvS8B2vL8vD0bfVeQ5ytF6ECvUN1ry3PNiAusaT2jQTwmvUxEGMKe-vsgfxwLQt-EOS7RVDCXM8peHWN3IKIdCfAdJoMatIstfKZvk0YB0HLVnOpFuiRBKy2pSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Jan. 23 meeting the Lake Forest Board of Education recorded votes on routine and substantive business. The motions below reflect the actions read on the record and the outcomes as entered in meeting minutes.

Votes at a glance (motions read and outcomes recorded during the meeting):
- Resolution 2.4 — Approval of the agenda as presented. Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 2.5 — Approval of minutes from Jan. 9, 2025. Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 7.1 — (amendment item) Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 8.1 — Resignation(s) as presented. Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 9.1 — Retirement(s) as presented. Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 11.1 — Personnel transfers as presented. Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolutions 13.1–13.4 — Offers of employment as presented. Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 19.1 — Personnel appointments as presented. Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 20.1 — Memorandum of understanding (board materials reference: 20.1 with LPA). Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 21.1 — School choice item as presented. Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 22.2 — Financial position report and final budget (detailed in a separate report). Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 23.1 — Financial reports as presented. Outcome: approved, 5-0.
- Resolution 24.1 — Board policies, first reading, as modified during discussion. Outcome: approved for first reading, 5-0.

All motions reported in the meeting passed by the board members present. Where the meeting transcript did not name a specific mover or seconder, the minutes indicated motions were properly moved, seconded and approved. The recorded vote on the final budget and related financial items was 5-0 in favor (members present: Earl Dempsey, Starkey, Dr. White, Miss McCoskie and Mr. Rau).","The board approved a slate of routine and substantive resolutions, including agenda and minutes approval, personnel items and the final budget; all recorded votes on motions noted in the meeting passed unanimously, 5-0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6696167,"Board debates policy language on accident reports, bus emergencies and student transport",0,5499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97&start=5499&end=5499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97/thumbnail_5499000.jpg","/articles/6696167/Delaware/Board-debates-policy-language-on-accident-reports-bus-emergencies-and-student-transport","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696167-bdcd2c5626ae47c9b08255bfb6660095/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442664&Signature=LBH1DK-P43eQLSWGiGRaoMPcqP3HOgyILjQgmzxtxNsEkVK3nUoyFFmB9wbTgJIoLlBSoB0q~jp-noAgUCzxa4edILIABTYWBdezOgNhJDDpV7On0R72nE~8s~6ydKP6l1RYoBRQcrjBaToiSyc-sWa66~8uJqGtctKxmBK6VNyFeLsO-koJgGJzkeyB6xozhTTFMkZ0IrHnqHTJPne5bRMJvhxi9WMLnFye6p-frJYg627oWtVnHwgjqkvYYmstWx26fVCIBV8BX1Hu2GZjwFnibcRLozKeZKG61wfqDICivlMIBLSVRLL0t1lYHhKMe3aMPW4-jQEQC1OvykCDlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest Board of Education on Thursday reviewed multiple policy drafts and engaged in detailed discussion about who is responsible for filing accident reports, the timeline for reporting bus accidents and whether the district should permit students to transport other students to school-sanctioned events.

Board members said policy language needed clarification so that responsibility for completing accident reports could not fall through the cracks. \"I guess when I read it my thing is, who's ultimately responsible? Is that answer the building administrator to ensure that an accident report has been completed?\" President Earl Dempsey asked during review of policy EBA on buildings and grounds inspections.

Administrators responded that the appropriate person depends on circumstances (nurses during the school day, coaches for athletic incidents, maintenance staff for facility incidents), and board members urged revised language that assigns ultimate responsibility to the building administrator to ensure a report is filed and routed to the central office.

On bus emergencies (policy EEA/EEA-E), staff proposed a reporting expectation to the superintendent. In response to a board question about timing, staff agreed a clear expectation would read that a report \"is expected to be submitted to the superintendent within five business days,\" while recognizing that evidence-gathering or police investigations may delay final documentation.

Student transport concerns (policy EEBB, use of private vehicles) generated the most prolonged exchange. Current draft language forbids students from transporting other students to school-sanctioned functions without prior administrator and parental authorization. Board members described repeated real-world situations where students ride with teammates or family members and asked whether the policy should strictly prohibit such rides or set an explicit sign-out/authorization process. One board member said the district's liability insurer and counsel will be asked to advise whether permitting authorized student-to-student transport creates exposure for the district.

Why it matters: Clear policy language determines who completes and receives safety-related reports and how the district manages risk for transportation outside district-provided vehicles. Board members emphasized they do not want a policy that reads well on paper but fails in practice because roles are ambiguous.

Next steps: The board directed staff to revise policy language to:
- Clarify that the building administrator is responsible for ensuring an accident report is completed and routed.
- Set an expectation that bus-accident/ emergency reports be submitted to the superintendent within five business days unless an investigation requires delay.
- Consult legal counsel and the district's insurer about the liability implications of permitting student-to-student transport and return with a recommended, enforceable authorization procedure.

Ending: The board made no vote on these policy drafts Thursday; the policies were placed on the agenda as first-read items and will return to the board after staff revisions and counsel review.","Board members reviewed several policy drafts on building inspections, bus emergencies and the use of private vehicles; discussion centered on clarifying who must complete accident reports, a recommended 5-business-day timeline for bus-accident reporting and liability questions about students riding with other students to school activities.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6696172,"Board reviews draft 2025-26 school calendar; staff to open 30-day public comment",658,4821000,5479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97&start=4821&end=5479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173462-2b93e09e3af9ce255e330b95424f7b97/thumbnail_4821000.jpg","/articles/6696172/Delaware/Board-reviews-draft-2025-26-school-calendar-staff-to-open-30-day-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696172-abbe5ff0f9a8bc35cf7d74b5f435c0f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442664&Signature=Y7h9rjQ7YhR3hjp~ZF0fJH-fN~uJBJg~Iv8XO2mVOq22cU-Luy0g0SzJUlBG113g~yU7fu7vS051i9QwwSThmx5oVnFavyO7m2joolqAuj8wuRihdNZkuiWI1H85eWO3H93CNknOhcCCb8KrWpkRi9SQIDKwKLZfOPC18KezQEI43YZK5QmvITELXKUzY6KztzLljciip~QxvsVXJ3Y7AbJXDxQfA30IxLBuiDoz2z1Qez9ZF4-Ekf3v6Oaxf2FX7nkmkodYH-OGpGt8C61EltAJnZO3ukwUITUcbIG7eaDzqI4MDPA3~ylJPr84ARyBKRW23fjEIH8Rtwviw0awAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest Board of Education reviewed a draft instructional calendar for the 2025-26 school year on Thursday and directed administration to release the draft for a 30-day public comment period.

Mr. Mormon, who led the calendar committee, told the board the draft was built from the current year's calendar and modified after feedback from 186 staff respondents: \"Among those 186, about 51% of them were teachers,\" he said. Committee membership included building representatives, administrative staff and CBO representation; the committee began work in December to allow the district time to load the calendar into a new student information system, Infinite Campus.

Key features: The draft keeps a two-week winter break between Christmas and New Year's (a change staff strongly favored), front-loads professional development days prior to the school year, includes a transition day for kindergarten and separates meet-and-greet events from instructional days. Mr. Mormon also told the board the draft includes about seven and a half built-in weather-related days (delays and cancellations use that bank when needed).

Why it matters: Calendar structure affects instructional minutes, staff schedules and family planning. Board members asked staff to clarify the number of legally mandated professional development days and noted that the draft front-loads training to give teachers concentrated time before instruction begins.

Next steps: The board agreed to release the draft to the public for 30 days and to review community feedback at the February meeting. No board action was required Thursday; the calendar will return to the board after the comment period for possible adoption.

Ending: Mr. Mormon said he will summarize public comments for the board after the 30-day window and present any recommended adjustments at the next scheduled board meeting.","District staff presented a draft 2025-26 instructional calendar shaped by a 15-member committee and 186 staff survey responses; the calendar front-loads professional development and preserves a two-week winter break favored by staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake Forest Community Education Foundation presents Spartan Hero award, funds 21 classroom grants

Lake Forest board adopts final FY25 budget, projects $7.7 million year-end reserve

Board actions at a glance: Jan. 23, 2025 Lake Forest Board of Education meeting

Board debates policy language on accident reports, bus emergencies and student transport

Board reviews draft 2025-26 school calendar; staff to open 30-day public comment