The New Castle County Council heard a presentation and public comments on Resolution 25-030, consenting to the appointment of D. Dusty Blakey to the position of chief human resources officer.

Blakey, who identified himself as D. Dusty Blakey, said he is "honored to be here and to be nominated as the chief human resource officer for New Castle County," and summarized more than 30 years in education, including service as superintendent of the Colonial School District and, most recently, superintendent of the Kennett Consolidated School District. He said he holds a master’s degree and a doctorate from the University of Delaware and an undergraduate degree from Morgan State University.

The nomination drew positive comments from multiple council members. Councilwoman Kilpatrick welcomed Blakey and said she had worked with his father at the state and was “very happy that he's here.” Councilman Hollins described a “long standing relationship” of more than 20 years and praised Blakey’s work as superintendent of Colonial School District, noting William Penn High School as the largest public high school in the state. Councilman Carter flagged recruitment and hiring challenges across county departments as an area Blakey will confront and said he looks forward to collaborating on staffing strategies. Councilman Smiley made a brief remark advising patience, saying, in part, "it takes longer to get hired than it does get elected."

No formal vote on Resolution 25-030 occurred during the meeting; council members stated the resolution will be voted on at the council’s 6:30 p.m. session.

Details provided by Blakey and council members at the hearing were limited to biographical background, prior positions in K-12 administration and an expressed willingness to collaborate on county staffing needs. The session included an opportunity for public questions; none produced substantive changes to the nomination record.

The council plans a recorded vote on the resolution at its 6:30 p.m. meeting session.