Smile: That School Bus May Be Watching You

School bus - photo courtesy of Sussex Tech School District
jake-smith-promo

School districts on Delmarva that did not start the new school year before Labor Day are doing so this week. That means more school buses are rolling out each weekday. At least one school district is providing an additional layer of safety and security for students who take the bus. The Sussex Tech Board of…

Read More

Maryland No. 1 State For Gender Equality

build-a-better-community-OCMD

Maryland is the top state for gender equality – that’s according to U-S News and World Report. The analysis cites Kindergarten through grade 12 education as a leading factor in achieving the nation’s top ranking and Maryland took the top spot in the education category. Maryland also scored in the top five states for the…

Read More

DSU Opens Early College Middle School

(L-r) University President Tony Allen, ECS Board President Dr. Marsha Horton, ECS Head of School Dr. Evelyn Edney, Associate Principal Dr. Dara Savage, Principal Nyia McCants and Dover Mayor Robin Christensen cut the ribbon to launch the Early College Middle School. Photo courtesy of Delaware State University

Delaware State University has opened its Early College Middle School. The school adjacent to the main DSU campus in Dover was several years in the planning stages. The Early College High School opened in 2013. Together, they will now be known as “Early College School.” “We want to start the college-going culture one step earlier,”…

Read More

Delmarva Reacts to White House Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

jake-smith-promo

Elected officials and education leaders are reacting to President Biden’s action to forgive up to $10,000 in student loans for recipients who make less than $125,000, and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del. released this statement: “As the cost of higher education has ballooned over the last three decades,…

Read More

Police in Del., Md. Collect School Supplies to Donate

mark-levin-promo

Police agencies in Delaware and Maryland are helping to ensure that teachers and students have what they need to get the school year off to a good start. The Delaware State Police Community Engagement Unit is accepting donations of school supplies, backpacks and hand sanitizer to be contributed to area schools. Contributions can be at…

Read More

Del. Dept. of Education Releases 2021-22 Statewide Assessment

Delaware Department of Education logo
bongino-promo

The continuing recovery from school closings during the COVID-19 pandemic is reflected in the 2021-2022 Delaware Statewide Assessment that was released Tuesday. State Education Secretary Mark Holodick said the Department of Education has made educational opportunities a priority this summer, adding that “recovery doesn’t happen overnight.” In English language arts, 42-percent of students in grades…

Read More

Md. Distributes $127.6-Million in Broadband Service Grants

Headline News

Maryland is making more investments into expansion of broadband service.Governor Larry Hogan said Friday that the Office of Statewide Broadband has awarded more than $127.6-million to local jurisdictions, internet service providers, and educational and community organizations. The funds through the Connect Maryland program will help bring broadband service to an estimated 15,000 households that are…

Read More

“We Are SU” Campaign Raises $75.1-Million

Photo courtesy of Salisbury University
jake-smith-promo

Salisbury University’s largest-ever campaign has exceeded its goal of $75-million. The “We Are S.U.” campaign lasted three years, and in all has raised more than $75.1-million. “This is an exciting day for Salisbury University,” SU President Charles Wight said. “This campaign has been an incredible effort from each and every person associated with SU who…

Read More

That’s a Wrap: 151st Del. General Assembly Concludes

Governor John Carney and legislators gathered following the end of the 151st Delaware General Assembly (photo courtesy of the office of Gov. John Carney)
bongino-promo

The curtain has come down on the 151st Delaware General Assembly.Members of the House and Senate stayed in session after midnight to meet constitutional requirements to have a special session if it’s necessary. “We’ve done a lot this legislative session to move the state forward,” Governor John Carney said. “We’ve signed a sustainable budget. We…

Read More

Delmarva Chicken Association Awards Scholarships To Seven Students

Delmarva Chicken Association
build-a-better-community-OCMD

The Delmarva Chicken Association has presented seven students with more than $17,000 in scholarship money as they pursue college and graduate studies related to Delmarva chicken industry careers. “By supporting these students, DCA is investing in the next generation of leadership for our chicken community,” DCA Executive Director Holly Porter said. “We’re glad these young…

Read More

Wicomico Co. FY ’23 Operating Budget Adopted

Wicomico County now has a Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget in place. The budget amounts to $173-million.Acting Wicomico County Executive John Psota said that the spending plant keeps the focus on core services such as education, public safety and health, while investing into infrastructure.Spending is up 11.7% over FY ’22, reflecting continued economic vitality.Psota said…

Read More

Worcester Co. Adopts $227-Million FY ’23 Operating Budget

jake-smith-promo

The Worcester County Commissioners have approved a Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget of nearly $227-million.Spending grows by $10.4-million, or 5%, from the FY ’22 budget while reducing requested expenditures by $2.7-million. The budget contains no increase in the Worcester County real property tax rate and local income tax rate.Spending priorities include public safety, education and…

Read More

Carl M. Freeman Foundation Presents Grants To 15 Non-profits

FACES of Sussex County grantees and Advisory Board members gather at a recent Celebration and Check Presentation event.
mark-levin-promo

15 Sussex County nonprofit organizations are getting support from the Carl M. Freeman Foundation FACES program: Freeman Foundation Assists Communities With Extra Support.An advisory board guides the grant process. The 2022 grant cycle also doubled award funds to $100,000, from the previous amount of $50,000.Grants of between $2,500 and $10,000 were awarded to organizations that…

Read More

Lord Baltimore Elementary School’s Dr. Jennah Truitt Is IRSD Teacher Of The Year

Dr. Jennah Truitt (photo courtesy of Indian River School District)
bill-o

A Lord Baltimore Elementary School teacher is Indian River School District Teacher of the Year.Dr. Jennah Truitt was recognized with the honor Thursday. Each of the district’s 15 schools nominated a candidate.Truitt has been teaching in the Indian River district for eleven years.“The moment you enter Dr. Truitt’s classroom, it is evident that she possesses…

Read More

Dr. Derek Simmons Named Superintendent Of Caroline County Schools

build-a-better-community-OCMD

The Caroline County Board of Education has chosen a new superintendent.Dr. Derek Simmons will take the position effective July 1st. Simmons has been serving as interim superintendent since March 2021.Board president Jim Newcomb said a stakeholder survey last fall provided overwhelming feedback showing a desire for an appointment that would represent institutional knowledge, consistency and…

Read More

Teachers’ Compensation, Court Fines, Fees… And Bedbugs: Del. General Assembly Resumes Session

New Delaware legislation is designed to make the teaching profession more attractive by ensuring that compensation for public educators is competitive with other school districts in the region.The bill (SB 100) would establish the 13-member Public Education Compensation Committee. It would work with educators, school administrators, local school boards and parents to examine current rates…

Read More

Wicomico Co. Schools Name Teacher of the Year

rita-crosby-promo

A high school science teacher has been named Wicomico Teacher of the Year for 2022-23.Rebecca Mathews has been teaching at Wicomico High School since 2014. Mathews also advises the Student Government Association, National Honor Society and other activities, and is involved with after school tutoring, evening high school and other programs that intend to ensure…

Read More

Del. Legislation Would Allocate Funds For Schools To Hire Permanent Substitute Teachers

Many Delaware schools are facing a shortage of substitute teachers, and now legislation has been introduced in the General Assembly that would allow for hiring of permanent, full-time substitutes. The measure would provide funding for schools to hire up to two full-time substitute teachers starting with the 2023-24 school year. Training, the per-diem rates and…

Read More