[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6640072,"mediaKeyId","2556383-3f22ba90af8556b1ad3807a0c0037d9a","parentId",2556383,"title","New Appoquinimink high school on schedule and budget; occupancy planned for mid-May","audioSeconds",255,"startMs",3862000,"endMs",4117000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556383-3f22ba90af8556b1ad3807a0c0037d9a&start=3862&end=4117","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556383-3f22ba90af8556b1ad3807a0c0037d9a/thumbnail_3862000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6640072/Delaware/New-Appoquinimink-high-school-on-schedule-and-budget-occupancy-planned-for-mid-May","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640072-c355593e0fc818d9428986b5f25650fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770771031&Signature=DGwfbuT0r7KyQOvgWEDW4Tij7FeLrLpozYM22XfOX72pxfmjnH5CmMg73M1wGnnE5RBDgo~4bOWlU8PI7ApnIT8rUGcwY2FWqmQhm1CXg-ZJklFgXO2ldaZ5kv7YchZm66phSncs1cgmYhB3XKm5Tl4MM0zlLztgZO5uopNaPE0L1TMugyFWNVVlMJyHnwjMfNp54yyFARgZHhDT7afxuBzMyllyqyUEZ3qxDIe86G3S0REZs8jrjwr5RLbj8EJpzeu73ZdgAcIbmB5cLaZSdaVthWzFVR5sQXM0wND1nEi2DLrAkabxaY86J~EvNtr75SscdJBOnJURAe-OE8JeSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Appoquinimink School District","date","2025-03-12T01:15:45.273Z","article","At the Appoquinimink School District Board of Education meeting on March 12, 2025, Director of Construction Mr. Hopkins delivered an on-site construction update for the district’s new building and said work is on schedule and on budget.

Hopkins said the construction site is being cleared and pavement work will begin as the weather improves. He described progress on exterior glass installation, interior finishes including cafeteria and auditorium tiered seating, completed classrooms and science rooms, tile and ceiling work, and the gym subfloor. \"We are on budget, and we are on time,\" Hopkins said.

Hopkins said site cleanup and final work will continue so the district can take turnover of the building in mid-May. He told the board the district expects furniture deliveries in mid-May and anticipated moving administrative staff into the new building immediately after the school year ends on May 17.

The construction presentation included photographs and notes on the loading dock, media center glass, cafeteria tile work, tiered auditorium seating, stainless-steel restroom partitions, and completed science classrooms ready for furniture. Hopkins said the kitchen equipment was largely in place and that crews were finishing decorative lighting and ceiling elements in common areas.

Superintendent Dr. Burrows said next month the board will have the opportunity to pick the new middle- and high-school names, mascots and colors.

Hopkins confirmed the project remains within its approved budget and on schedule for the district’s planned mid-May occupancy; no timetable changes were announced at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3-11-2025 Appoquinimink School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Construction director said March 12 that the district’s new building is nearing completion, with site clearance, glass installation and interior finishes proceeding; furniture is scheduled for mid-May and administration will move in after the school year ends.","taxTitle","Appoquinimink School District, School Districts, Delaware","taxId",13107,"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},6640075,"Appoquinimink board approves 2025–26 calendar and routine finance, personnel items",59,5311000,5370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556383-3f22ba90af8556b1ad3807a0c0037d9a&start=5311&end=5370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556383-3f22ba90af8556b1ad3807a0c0037d9a/thumbnail_5311000.jpg","/articles/6640075/Delaware/Appoquinimink-board-approves-202526-calendar-and-routine-finance-personnel-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640075-97ef5e235a8f5edd87eb5d2a25b7d446/orig.mp4?Expires=1770771031&Signature=ZBAa-dRbUB76hxR1~srUN4MpJtOVeQWR3NU5r95ZWxnMagk0C8QWePWKfAI9k3TM28U1SF6kdX546vJcTGxte3q8GK-uvFWLkNeUpm~Sj7AM9qmhuEwZFCIGoe7IcQbHXfkrNxntfX-0koDB0XH4PjNfnq-fP4bKmcLhkJk01DQxUruVkkF4yv9QPTSrBHbRBboc52WaVxKRupglOK6BdMVQaZ-rN4G6YOp6g~GyH~121TqjpfhKIWG7Fje2HuNSPlt7PNL5L3fHmSErbOmEZKbl8gVDCKKW9UsQLV2A~mLGz5Fw1t2DPQJaPBr-6wMV2fQXMMoLAVB8Z1nU6-EdDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appoquinimink School District Board of Education voted on multiple routine agenda items at its March 12, 2025 meeting, approving the 2025–26 academic calendar and a set of financial, trip and personnel items.

The board approved the 2025–26 academic calendar on a motion by Mr. Abrams with a second by Ms. DeWitt. After discussion the board voted “aye” and the motion carried.

Other actions taken, all approved by the board, included:

- Approval of the February 25, 2025 meeting minutes (motion by Dr. Graham, second by Mr. Abrams). Ms. Wall recused herself from the vote because she was not in attendance at the February meeting; an abstention was recorded and the motion carried.

- Approval of the January monthly financial report as recommended by the Financial Advisory Committee (motion by Mr. Abrams, second by Ms. Wall).

- Approval of the January internal accounts report as recommended by the Financial Advisory Committee (motion by Mr. Abrams, second by Ms. Wall).

- Approval of four overnight field trips and preliminary approval for one international trip (motion by Ms. Wall, second by Dr. Graham). Approved trips included regional indoor-percussion and color-guard competitions in New Jersey and the BPA National Leadership Conference in Florida; one preliminary approval was granted for a student trip to Japan.

- Approval of change orders related to district construction projects (motion by Dr. Graham, second by Ms. Wall). Mr. Hopkins presented the change orders and noted overall credits and additions submitted for approval.

- Approval of the personnel report as presented (motion by Dr. Graham, second by Ms. DeWitt).

Each motion was made during the regular board meeting and passed without roll-call tallies published in the meeting transcript; the minutes record only the motions, seconders and the chair’s announcement that motions carried or recorded abstentions where applicable.

Votes at a glance (motions referenced in the meeting record):
- 2025–26 Academic Calendar — motion: approve; mover: Mr. Abrams; second: Ms. DeWitt; outcome: approved.
- 02/25/2025 Meeting Minutes — motion: approve; mover: Dr. Graham; second: Mr. Abrams; outcome: approved (Ms. Wall recused/abstained).
- January Monthly Financial Report — motion: approve; mover: Mr. Abrams; second: Ms. Wall; outcome: approved.
- January Internal Accounts Report — motion: approve; mover: Mr. Abrams; second: Ms. Wall; outcome: approved.
- Overnight Field Trips (IDs 10546, 10555, 10584, 10562) and preliminary approval for 10623 (Japan) — motion: approve; mover: Ms. Wall; second: Dr. Graham; outcome: approved.
- Change Orders (various ASI items) — motion: approve; mover: Dr. Graham; second: Ms. Wall; outcome: approved.
- Personnel Report — motion: approve; mover: Dr. Graham; second: Ms. DeWitt; outcome: approved.

The board’s routine approvals keep the district’s operations moving forward; several of the items (finance reports, internal accounts, personnel) were recommended by the district’s advisory committees or staff. Where abstentions or recusals were recorded, the minutes note them (for example, Ms. Wall’s abstention on minutes approval because she was absent at the February meeting).","At its March 12 meeting the Appoquinimink School District Board of Education approved the 2025–26 academic calendar and a series of routine items including minutes, financial reports, overnight field trips, change orders and the personnel report.",{"_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},6640081,"Appoquinimink parents urge board to fix special-education gaps, cite state regulation",396,3224000,3620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2556383-3f22ba90af8556b1ad3807a0c0037d9a&start=3224&end=3620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2556383-3f22ba90af8556b1ad3807a0c0037d9a/thumbnail_3224000.jpg","/articles/6640081/Delaware/Appoquinimink-parents-urge-board-to-fix-special-education-gaps-cite-state-regulation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6640081-e3b1384837c751a6751133b054139859/orig.mp4?Expires=1770771031&Signature=l-u5RUwJg0teeO5pZ5R6DNxjlD7tXLB8kiPQGM5GxVqcqbHkMgMeugy2vxI-FECzBmwSAH4mos0eQS0NZsPR77tKw-DJBv99eCm-fLT4EiqVynOefPKyHYG1e-N2R-lOmQZduZ8igQCQEfbFvIPjoCUqR90p2uRGCKeP~Rio~AEAyhM~rbI1XWq8VsrpNxINd2wb7CPL4HrMWAMADvN4bz9EpneIhyz4AdhJqAbnZ020KefhTJ9v2oK0Hzi8avdA1jHn1rOUD6KiM2kYxsufW1Dh1M9lUY3JdqO6BdgKi3~hv0CmhfYYdbteR9dc8s020oqphJvhNVpty60G5TKOeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Appoquinimink School District Board of Education meeting on March 12, 2025, six parents and advocates delivered public comments alleging systemic problems in the district’s special-education services and asked the board and administration to take specific corrective steps.

The parents said problems include a lack of a functioning district parent council for families of students with disabilities, mandatory placements in accelerated courses for some students on the diploma track, inconsistent transition planning across schools, staffing shortages in special education, inconsistent implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) and insufficient behavioral supports.

Courtney Beard, identifying herself as a parent, said the district failed to maintain a visible parent council and cited “State regulation 31 25,” which she quoted as requiring districts to contact parents each year to facilitate a parent council for students with disabilities. “This lack of transparency has created an exclusionary system that fails to fully represent our communities,” Beard said, and said parents working to reestablish a council found no meeting minutes, defined parent roles or clear advocacy processes.

Nicole (Nikki) Elliott, who said she is the parent of an eighth grader receiving special-education support, criticized automatic placement of diploma-track students into AP Human Geography in ninth grade and Algebra I in eighth grade. “Mandating AP courses is not equitable for all students,” Elliott said, describing negative effects on her daughter’s self-esteem and learning. Elliott asked the district to review course-placement policy and collaborate with families and staff to provide appropriate alternatives.

Loretta Geddy, identifying herself as a parent advocate, urged standardized, earlier and more consistent transition planning when students move between elementary, middle and high school. She said transition meetings are inconsistent across schools and often “feel dismissive rather than collaborative,” leaving families without clear information on academic, vocational or postsecondary options.

Lakeisha Parker urged the board to address staffing shortages and retention in special education, saying overworked special-education teachers, paraprofessionals and behavior staff cause delays and missed services in students’ IEPs. Parker asked the district to consider competitive pay and incentives, protected planning time for staff, faster hiring and more resources for staff wellness.

Rebecca Rothweiler said many IEP goals are written at grade level rather than at a student’s instructional level, and that requests for evaluations have been dismissed without explanation. She urged the district to ensure IEPs close academic gaps, that evaluation requests be handled promptly and that students who need small-group or specialized settings receive them. “No family or child should have to fight for services they are legally entitled to receive,” Rothweiler said.

Mariama Sumakeda (transcript: Mariama Sumakeda) described insufficient behavioral supports and an overreliance on suspensions and removals, calling for expanded behavior-health teams, improved data collection, functional behavior assessments, and evidence-based preventive strategies. “My heart is bleeding here today,” Sumakeda said, and asked to meet with district behavior leaders and administrators.

Superintendent Dr. Burrows told the speakers the administration would follow up with each person who spoke. Several board members acknowledged the comments: Dr. Graham said special education should be viewed “as being the heart of what equity is,” and thanked the parents for speaking. Ms. Wall and Ms. DeWitt also thanked parents and staff for their work and engagement.

The concerns raised during public comment were linked in the meeting record to other agenda items: in his superintendent’s report earlier in the meeting, Dr. Burrows said the district had 32 full-time teaching openings and 18 full-time paraprofessionals — figures he said were the lowest in some time — and that HR had filled 633 positions to date. Dr. Burrows also said the district’s enrollment had grown by 82 students since the September 30 count, to 13,079.

Board members and administrators did not take a formal vote on any of the parent requests at the March 12 meeting. Several speakers requested meetings with district staff and written follow-up; Dr. Burrows and board members said administration would follow up in writing and through meetings.","Six parents and advocates told the Appoquinimink School District board on March 12 that the district’s parent council, course-placement policies, transition planning, staffing and behavior supports for special-education students are inconsistent or inadequate. District leaders said they would follow up with each speaker.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New Appoquinimink high school on schedule and budget; occupancy planned for mid-May

Appoquinimink board approves 2025–26 calendar and routine finance, personnel items

Appoquinimink parents urge board to fix special-education gaps, cite state regulation