[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6140248,"mediaKeyId","5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a","parentId",5579196,"title","Board approves minor contract language amendment to superintendent’s agreement; board says accountability remains intact","audioSeconds",329,"startMs",2931000,"endMs",3260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a&start=2931&end=3260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a/thumbnail_2931000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6140248/Delaware/Board-approves-minor-contract-language-amendment-to-superintendents-agreement-board-says-accountability-remains-intact","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140248-0fa1ed07c868eb36c1a1e9fbe0b75095/orig.mp4?Expires=1770780093&Signature=YvhqKD0SFZN16UcfV1S2HMaIEQN7Uy9WHJBhN8XEcWenXqpEQWwgLKomYGqZH5MmMHaWu4JE~tygN8EMZk65FO72yQqfpQyDdldQbpGnJRY4x1lumWvhKapOkUgfD15q2I4burvq5OmrPqHCG9sR~x22exNdBhLtHp-oWJKozE3M1-xkcaYoBnB4DhdFOI2cPaXpW3lsN0NrJ414-2jZPc6Y7OgwULWcREXSjwdegluVXOGLSCfqxwgDUuVmnjRouZJyqvFmoKg37uVHSheUW-Dudvb8mlAoFkjv6KEtTUCpl~Q2hy4Z7qFVA2sBvm1E6QWaTFbguPD-JC3gAFZKZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Christina School District","date","2025-08-13T13:18:05Z","article","The Christina School District board voted Aug. 12 to approve a minor amendment to Superintendent Dr. Joyner’s contract intended to align contract language with the district’s effective‑school‑boards framework.

Board members said the amendment clarifies vocabulary and process but does not reduce the superintendent’s accountability. A board member asked explicitly whether the change would “somehow decrease the accountability of our superintendent,” and a board official replied that it does not and that the contract will be followed by a more specific addendum with targets and timelines developed after upcoming community listening sessions.

Board members described the change as procedural and supportive of a clearer monitoring process. The amendment was presented to the board in advance of the meeting for review; the motion to accept the modification was made, seconded and approved by voice vote with no abstentions.

Discussion vs. formal action: the board took formal action to approve the amendment. Board members said the amendment will be followed by an addendum that sets measurable goals and interim milestones to guide evaluation; the Aug. 12 vote did not adopt future goals themselves.

Ending: The board approved the contract language change and scheduled further work—refining goals after listening sessions—to guide superintendent evaluation and board monitoring.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CSD Board of Education Meeting - August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Christina School District board voted to approve a minor amendment to Superintendent Dr. Joyner’s contract to align language with an effective-school-boards framework; the board stated the change does not reduce accountability and that specific goals will be added after community listening sessions.","taxTitle","Christina School District, School Districts, Delaware","taxId",13110,"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},6140253,"Board approves August financial-position report; CFO absent as staff works with legislators on tax assessment",108,2489000,2597000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a&start=2489&end=2597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a/thumbnail_2489000.jpg","/articles/6140253/Delaware/Board-approves-August-financial-position-report-CFO-absent-as-staff-works-with-legislators-on-tax-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140253-0cb8a7414db8ae4ca17d16e190315c73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770780093&Signature=Mo2lnyUQZEMu4FyCJW-3Xw4TsOUfK~NsTZU1pFl9JEgOxR-LRiP6hVd14fhHVXKfPVPJm2I5NCSDSLG283qTsQizmvjK1YGHKQIodTZU65VGQ7nwkokA0SuaGoAa2qBeDH8JurVJDG2394ZEMYnIKYG3APkGXT22-FgpXFlcHBOllbQna3zZMhww09lsfdaKFoypCzdJuQTwBSydhQzj4cs3szMojG9gP5VKYQKIXWmEphXky3ERUbp28MoTNZTUwa22FTwy7T8UgdoG5e-lFsvaxS2BJlzNHPqSkv5OIybZJG-i0DKlL9jjTe7vP8RMlpNkm6Y0PjfFqGBYp8SDGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Christina School District board approved its required August financial-position report on Aug. 12, with the board president noting the report requires the signatures of the board president, superintendent and CFO.

Mister Kennedy presented the financial-position report on behalf of CFO Bob Vaca and recommended board approval. Citing Delaware Code Title 14, section 1507 (as referenced in the presentation), Kennedy said the report must focus on local payroll obligations through the Oct. 15 payroll cycle and compare year-end current expense balances with the district’s preliminary Division 3 equalization appropriation. The district reported a projected Oct. 15, 2025 unrestricted state and local funds balance of $25,015,583 and one month’s projected local payroll of $6,100,000; Kennedy said no action plan was necessary because the projected balance exceeded one month’s payroll.

Board member YF Lou moved the approval and another member seconded; the motion carried by voice vote with no abstentions.

The board also discussed a tax-assessment and tax-warrant matter. Board members said CFO Bob Vaca and Mister Baca were at Legislative Hall working with legislators on tax-assessment changes. The board president said there was anticipation that the district might reissue a tax warrant using split rates—if state action allows—to lower the residential rate; she asked staff to be prepared to post any required items for an anticipated August 21 action.

Discussion vs. formal action: the financial-position report was formally approved by voice vote. The tax-warrant and tax-assessment matters were discussed as ongoing legislative and staff work; the board did not vote on a reissued tax warrant at the meeting and described an anticipated procedural posting if and when staff receives authority to proceed.

Ending: The district reported a surplus sufficient to meet October payroll obligations for now; legislative developments on tax assessment could prompt future board action and public postings.","The Christina School District board approved its August financial position report showing an October 15 unrestricted balance sufficient to cover payroll. The board discussed a pending tax-assessment issue and the potential to reissue a tax warrant with split rates to lower residential rates if legislative changes allow.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6140258,"District seeks state approval for multi-year capital plan; local referendum expected for local share",276,1171000,1447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a&start=1171&end=1447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a/thumbnail_1171000.jpg","/articles/6140258/Delaware/District-seeks-state-approval-for-multi-year-capital-plan-local-referendum-expected-for-local-share","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140258-f8cf42539c58db32d6cd53f99ee94b37/orig.mp4?Expires=1770780093&Signature=NnSVEtG8ZFCGI1Wi7DrEydOkMFf6ra8-z~6Ph3juLLsCUdN~4L-12938~TGm4XKp6ZmqPts6YAwY~PrlRneYJwiq2N4PF4X6~sgYyX4iy7HPENTQBySyT3RsvDKEdqq5y0fYJzbDV5qhQ8oC6b5NMgvCDn7D2PpkNyovzddT-YUkg0XoswCp0XP4~bJu0ZgihBdmdPOqHMKmQEDZkVFA4h0tCdajcYYrKGUz0yzN03z5L8~eTtpUIyRm5t9KWr8S-XvI6Gawj9b3Y2bDALsZSAvywGdjtvVQuITKjw6OXFbbElh6qC5ZF~lX0EkjyQIhB6Zuw9kAUqrS8ogh52Fa6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff asked the board to approve a resubmission of a Certificate of Necessity (CN) to the Delaware Department of Education that would fund a multi-year capital plan including middle-school replacements, renovations and safety- and pathway-related projects at high schools.

Mister Wicks summarized the CN as largely a resubmission of last year’s request tied to the facility strategic plan phase 1, which includes replacing buildings (references to “replace over Cobbs” and work at “Shoe Madill” in the presentation transcript) and major renovations at other schools. He said the district split last year’s high-school package into an educational‑pathways component identified by the teaching-and-learning team and a safety-and-security addition for high schools.

Wicks said the total local ask was “very, very close to what we asked for last year” and that the district accounted for inflation. If the board approved the CN and DOE approves it, Wicks said the next step would be scheduling a local capital referendum to fund the local portion; he described the district’s approach as designed to limit taxpayer impact by phasing the local share across fiscal years as older debt comes off the books.

Board members asked clarifying questions about timeline and referendum structure. A board member confirmed the CN process can result in partial approvals by DOE so the district can proceed with approved pieces rather than all projects at once. Wicks said the district’s plan could be structured over six fiscal years and that if DOE approves only portions the district can return for remaining pieces later.

Discussion vs. formal action: the CN resubmission was described and a motion to approve the consent agenda (which included CN materials) passed later in the meeting; the transcript also shows the board approved the consent agenda without pulling the CN item. Final DOE approval and any referendum scheduling remain subject to state review and future board actions.

Ending: If DOE approves the CN, the district said it would schedule a local referendum for the district’s local share and pursue a multi-year, phased approach intended to limit immediate tax-rate increases.","Christina School District staff presented a resubmitted Certificate of Necessity (CN) to the Delaware Department of Education covering replacement and major renovation projects and said a local capital referendum would be scheduled if DOE approves the submission.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6140262,"Superintendent unveils three strategic goals to elevate classroom instruction, belonging and college- and career-readiness",360,1550000,1910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a&start=1550&end=1910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a/thumbnail_1550000.jpg","/articles/6140262/Delaware/Superintendent-unveils-three-strategic-goals-to-elevate-classroom-instruction-belonging-and-college-and-career-readiness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140262-46cf57e9f3db02ef78cf3180c022d0f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770780093&Signature=Ss-KcLwbVum9PBGp5df2Oeblt4v1Ye0ImhH9JjqqibVA~w7j-JtN39FFCXUISrH52F-6E-QHdwfOmaPplOq0ePGUM-zzSNeCwtBMQWodFKWpDPE8tcc6GwSYisHeYTP9w3SsrXPsInmXmci3CVEOyv2rn8n8k8BldmCLu3LwizIzzZryvQ9kOQim2FmCtRGrcmfc7cy7JLeKPo98HAevgazRzhrGX4TrjCA8aNjXTzwwmsLjg0uht3vZo757V03pprkW9e-JuE2hJsPxi6bio22k7UnsoNyVJJ9NdI0my-vOrsD6psX6RxEd4ODIv~8y3iVl2gPhUISmhj4EZNfGrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Joyner, Christina School District superintendent, and district staff presented a needs assessment on Aug. 12 and proposed three strategic goals for the 2025–26 school year aimed at improving classroom instruction, student belonging and postsecondary readiness.

The district said it identified a priority to “elevate the quality of Tier 1 classroom instruction for all students” after third‑party classroom walkthroughs found that roughly 28% of lesson time demonstrated what the district called “strong instruction.” The district described targeted professional development, coaching cycles, and clearer organization of curriculum resources as strategies to raise that percentage.

The three goals the district proposed are: (1) strong Tier 1 instruction that supports grade-level proficiency in core content; (2) a stronger student sense of belonging in classrooms, schools and communities, with targets to reduce chronic absenteeism and exclusionary discipline; and (3) improved college and career readiness, including more students completing advanced placement, dual-enrollment or three-course CTE pathways.

District staff said they reviewed multiple data sources—student achievement diagnostics such as i‑Ready for K–8, classroom walkthroughs in seven schools, and attendance and climate measures—when setting the priorities. Staff noted steady year‑over‑year gains in math and ELA proficiency of about one to two percentage points but persistent gaps for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.

Strategies listed in the presentation included organizing access to curriculum materials, dedicating time to unpack the “Christina 7” instructional framework, observing and coaching teachers using common instructional expectations, and expanding ninth‑grade supports such as a ninth‑grade academy and scheduling adjustments.

Board members praised the work during discussion. Board member Dr. Trout called the plan “ambitious” and said it aligned with a focus on student outcomes; another member highlighted the district’s plans for dual enrollment and CTE pathways as a way to give students marketable skills.

Discussion vs. formal action: the presentation and goals were placed on the board’s agenda for discussion and for further consideration at a board workshop scheduled Aug. 26; the board did not adopt binding, multi‑year targets or amend policy during the Aug. 12 meeting.

Ending: The district plans to continue community listening sessions and refine goals at a subsequent workshop and through additional data analyses before adopting long-term targets.","Superintendent Dr. Joyner and staff presented a needs assessment and proposed three strategic goals for 2025–26 focused on strengthening Tier 1 instruction, improving student sense of belonging, and increasing college- and career-readiness.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6140267,"Multiple public commenters urge independent forensic audit; employee alleges uninvestigated abuse in special-education classroom",301,239000,540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a&start=239&end=540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579196-c98ca17e96fc8d17578fe8f849c9698a/thumbnail_239000.jpg","/articles/6140267/Delaware/Multiple-public-commenters-urge-independent-forensic-audit-employee-alleges-uninvestigated-abuse-in-special-education-classroom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140267-335be56dbc3bfdfb6dc96d57cb08fe62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770780093&Signature=lsW-sI7iHCwLMs4PdFCMNrbJ6~jGsWZCM2iMc5N9OpUoC-IvmbDCsAzwFduZNdEUwprpetdIU2-kwwmALIB7G0eS46bN8kyYPreezJQ4idBeUd0AJolCauJdz3OfMdbISV3ks0rqnQDvYPkDKD5djXsKO507pp~rI-c4JqbgDGH0dkYxBSJb7gHtAex3TmbBuhQuDvW~uUQHmt6WyKsvNQsB3TqiwXtYLqKKivVxV6XkOZ1O7QDhUOE9tEaTOUgmiu-4mHl~~KKXgKjANwizGauO5dODuHbpAFR1s6-k9QZQd2zuAOXE8dtMeNdtvqX8pBCgEK40qEUh-aWqN3iAKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the public used the Christina School District board’s Aug. 12 meeting to press the board for two separate actions: an independent forensic financial audit and a thorough investigation of alleged abuse in a special-education classroom. Kane Denison Gomez, introducing himself as a member of the public, urged the board to “order an independent forensic, financial audit and assessment” to restore community trust ahead of any future referendum.

The call for a forensic audit was presented by Gomez as a way “to show the public, here's where every dollar went,” and to demonstrate that the district is “not afraid of scrutiny.” He tied the audit to the district’s ability to win future referenda by removing public doubt.

The meeting also included a sustained public allegation from a district employee, Betty Millar, who said she had filed six formal allegations of abuse, including incidents involving students who are 18. “I have filed 6 formal allegations of abuse,” Millar said, and she told the board that the district had not investigated her complaints. She said the district’s written response sent her a policy that “does not define emotional or verbal abuse, contains no requirement to interview witnesses, and offers no protection for students who cannot speak for themselves.”

Millar said she was told the district was preparing for mediation based on an assertion that she had agreed to mediate; she said she never agreed to mediation with someone she accused of abusing students. She also described what she characterized as retaliation for reporting, saying she was “written up” and removed from the classroom only after repeated filings rather than to protect students.

Eileen Reynolds, who said she was speaking about students who live in district-run dormitory situations, told the board she was not accusing the district of current abuse but asked that the district proactively protect students who are “a cultural and a linguistic minority” and who “are not allowed to have phones.” She described an overnight trip she believed lacked appropriate supervision and said dormitory arrangements historically have been associated with safety concerns.

Discussion vs. formal action: these were public-comment appeals. The board did not vote on ordering an independent audit nor did it announce an immediate investigation in response to the allegations during the meeting. The board president cut Millar’s time short at the three-minute public-comment limit; Millar asked for an additional 30 seconds and said the board’s enforcement of the time limit signaled a priority of “process” over student protection.

The public commenters asked the board to take specific next steps—an independent forensic audit and a formal investigation of the alleged abuse—but the meeting record shows no board motion or vote to initiate either. The transcript indicates the board encouraged members of the public to submit questions and that follow-up may come through usual administrative channels, but no direction or assignment to staff to open a formal investigation was announced on the record at the Aug. 12 meeting.

The board did not provide details in the meeting about any existing investigative steps tied to Millar’s allegations; Millar said she had named a witness in her final report and said she was removed from the classroom only after her third set of allegations and another staff member identified a witness.

Ending: The district did not announce actions at the meeting to address the two requests. Members of the public and the board may pursue follow-up through written submissions or by requesting that the board place an item on a future agenda for formal consideration.","Public commenters at the Christina School District board meeting urged an independent forensic financial audit and reported alleged failures to investigate repeated abuse allegations in a special-education classroom, asking the board for investigations and protections for students.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves minor contract language amendment to superintendent’s agreement; board says accountability remains intact

Board approves August financial-position report; CFO absent as staff works with legislators on tax assessment

District seeks state approval for multi-year capital plan; local referendum expected for local share

Superintendent unveils three strategic goals to elevate classroom instruction, belonging and college- and career-readiness

Multiple public commenters urge independent forensic audit; employee alleges uninvestigated abuse in special-education classroom