[{"_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",6035906,"mediaKeyId","5087736-728a92b8274bdb400eaf3c80e7390bfc","parentId",5087736,"title","Concord students, parents and faculty ask board for transparency after quick principal appointment","audioSeconds",1633,"startMs",2442000,"endMs",4075000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5087736-728a92b8274bdb400eaf3c80e7390bfc&start=2442&end=4075","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5087736-728a92b8274bdb400eaf3c80e7390bfc/thumbnail_2442000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6035906/Delaware/Concord-students-parents-and-faculty-ask-board-for-transparency-after-quick-principal-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035906-81a42a2ab6294bb684342f1363341f61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167028&Signature=B3hEpANjU9oBcueVfkjvAoBr3zsVcdoHK0DfzGq9xNodVN4A7xMTcpBQKtCFU2AJ6BBxyENuKL4VNEHmU4VPE4ScnbrCUYze424eqJhYzDnTeNvtD4l3oUWIR95BZXv~STMDN3xcp0i9m1RDlztjptINq~OCNHv-2ZqdcPaiydysMqkgcOPSN-hIacYsmpt17KeMbCeErXpNo8A9-WBZUGVILiqqvSc3kxCdnHNfPYjTkwGca0QYuEiS4Hl66BUBN80Im6GYZajxCCAF1a1ksLVOWKTi72cIB0G1Ncj5TypzDD4dIP1UkOAfDcQrFa2IhojUtg7PnDygn9i3Zkrd~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Brandywine School District","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","Concord High School students told the Brandywine School District Board of Education on May 12 that the district did not follow a transparent hiring process when it announced a new principal for Concord.

\"We are very frustrated that the position was filled without a chance for all candidates to apply,\" Concord student Mikayla Michaelson told the board during public comment, asking the board to explain why Concord did not have the same open search process used at Mount Pleasant High School. \"We want to believe that qualifications, experience, and leadership matter more than personal connection, but this decision sends the wrong message to our generation.\"

The students said a petition they circulated was signed by 952 students, parents and community members asking for a fair process. Another Concord student, Molly Andrews, said the district’s lack of transparency undermines trust and asked the board to give the community the same opportunity for input used at other schools. \"At the very least, they deserve transparency and a fair process,\" Andrews said.

Speakers named Jeffrey Lawson during public comment, and students told the board the district announced the appointment without a broader posting or community input. Jeffrey Lawson is listed elsewhere in the meeting as the principal of Talley Middle School; the students said the appointment appeared to be related to his relationship with Superintendent Lisa Lawson. Students characterized the concern as about process rather than a personal attack on any individual. Andrews referenced a reported $8,425 pay raise tied to the move and asked the board to account for the step and the process by which it was approved.

Board members discussed personnel- and contract-related questions during the meeting. Later in the session the board moved to recess to executive session to discuss a personnel matter; the motion to recess to executive session was made and seconded and was approved by the board. The transcript does not record a public vote reversing the appointment or the staffing decision during open session.

In response to public comments, board members and staff did not cite a specific published vacancy notice for the Concord principal position during the public meeting. Commenters said they were not given the same opportunity to apply or provide input that had been used in other, previously advertised principal searches in the district.

What happened next: the board recessed to executive session to consider personnel matters, and the meeting record shows subsequent personnel actions were handled in executive session and in later approved personnel items. The district did not provide a public timeline or further details about the hiring process or its next steps in response to the public comment during open session.

Why it matters: Concord students, staff and community members said they view the hiring process as a test of district transparency and equity. The board’s choice to move into executive session for personnel matters means some procedural questions may be handled privately; board members and the superintendent will determine whether to provide additional public information after any executive-session deliberations.

Reporting note: The students framed their remarks as requests for transparency and fair hiring practices. The transcript contains the quoted language above from Mikayla Michaelson and Molly Andrews during the public comment period; the board’s formal personnel deliberations moved to executive session and therefore are not fully detailed in the public record.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BSD Board of Education Meeting - May 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Concord High School students told the Brandywine School District Board of Education on May 12 that the district did not follow a transparent hiring process when it announced a new principal for Concord.","taxTitle","Brandywine School District, School Districts, Delaware","taxId",14344,"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},6035896,"Student reporters and district honor educators as seniors announce college and career plans",1446,94000,1540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5087736-728a92b8274bdb400eaf3c80e7390bfc&start=94&end=1540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5087736-728a92b8274bdb400eaf3c80e7390bfc/thumbnail_94000.jpg","/articles/6035896/Delaware/Student-reporters-and-district-honor-educators-as-seniors-announce-college-and-career-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035896-ebce81ce05db0b4064d8a7c0523ed090/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167028&Signature=b1PWGt3~F~8qS~IUWWj4yoKN1n1jlmtblSwKwcTaoAZWv89R8eXbfSg6RtfqvwbSph6lYejWtnsQ3akPmf~OBUQ1~XwAAwpsGYW2TzhPBCGD4xZgf2WALZawFWWYGdqW2wYYwtrCIuy6cB2FZNYnQR7xpyjfmrXiPo-omWB7Np5mpAW6vA80OAn1gr8BTVXb486Q-sBOoqpL~t2cBCjSzOHNwFPHyTV1j~CsQsMh0gPsxqQ-1-0orVJFg4OyoeWOipkTFT1NITHZifnCw0d3GJFzPBM8kDtPQ8-zVBR~8Yfxostm0gsIZrVTsOQOiW5UcNJIQL0~BmKjq5xmoDyB~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Student board reporters from Brandywine School District’s three high schools delivered their final monthly updates at the May 12 board meeting, highlighting spring sports, music trips, community service and college commitments.

Concord High School Student Council President Maggie Halkowski and Vice President Ramin Tura recapped a student-versus-staff basketball game, a music-department trip to Chicago, participation in a watershed cleanup and winners at the World Language Showcase. \"We are beyond proud of everyone's accomplishments,\" Halkowski said.

Mount Pleasant High School reported wins in band, choir and athletics, and noted that several seniors committed to a range of postsecondary paths, including universities, trade and culinary schools, and military service. Presenters named college commitments for graduating seniors across the district, including institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, Rutgers, Tufts and The Ohio State University.

The board paused to honor the late Jack Vinegar, recognizing his long volunteer service on the district finance committee and presenting an in-memory plaque.

The board and district staff also recognized school-based behavioral health professionals. The district-level award for 2024–25 Behavioral Health Professional of the Year was presented to Stephanie Stiefel, who has served the district as an educator and counselor and was introduced by her principal and colleagues. \"She redefines [the counselor role],\" Towey/Talley Middle School Principal Jeffrey Lawson said, describing Stiefel's work supporting students' socio-emotional needs and leading schoolwide mental-health initiatives.

Board President Ackerman and Superintendent Lisa Lawson thanked the student reporters for their year-long service; student reporters were invited to return to the boardroom to receive formal recognition.

Why it matters: The student reports provide a direct channel between schools and the board, highlighting student leadership, community service and postsecondary planning. Honoring volunteers and staff recognizes contributions to district finance oversight and student health services.

What’s next: The district will continue its recognition programs and the winning behavioral health professional advances to the state-level competition, the district said.

","Student board reporters from Brandywine’s three high schools delivered end-of-year updates on athletics, arts and student-led initiatives; the board also recognized longtime volunteer Jack Vinegar and named Stephanie Stiefel the district’s 2024–25 Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.",{"_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},6035901,"Board approves 2025–26 student code of conduct and 2026–27 calendar; minor 2025–26 calendar adjustments adopted",740,6018000,6758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5087736-728a92b8274bdb400eaf3c80e7390bfc&start=6018&end=6758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5087736-728a92b8274bdb400eaf3c80e7390bfc/thumbnail_6018000.jpg","/articles/6035901/Delaware/Board-approves-202526-student-code-of-conduct-and-202627-calendar-minor-202526-calendar-adjustments-adopted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6035901-8e5ca0ecde6846705429b4eaeb295aa4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167028&Signature=YiulkvqYT9eMBb-ZqHdqQJNgCNec1agndp0wknnTaLdPBnitVpOkAR9bUoyDrAJxfCa2sLKNjqFxntoAfYy-t8utuecsq7QD4PqH5cTp9jLZCeuLjJa9uXF55X82MfnwUeg79zlMgUkpl8LQSu5Kmckxhvg0PbmZmjv1YS6Wy6upkKu9LT1g9VrzGbuiNA~2zin8Wjx4qplKBApUSjQNtWZnXK9rCxR~4UZ9Tb09MjbT6qD1owBY-t0NVfvZR~Oowo6J4bHLRhLbwapOB-43uCCa8V15NGpU1radpLXMew1mBdFfpJFeG2X3j9BPbvkWS7rN~HJLApx0xS~RTvNh7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brandywine School District Board of Education approved the 2025–26 student code of conduct and adopted the district’s proposed 2026–27 calendar at its May 12 meeting.

\"If there aren't any further questions from me, I ask that you approve the 2025–26 student code,\" Dr. Yolanda McKinney told the board as she presented the final draft of the code. The board moved to accept the code on a motion and second and the motion carried.

The board also voted to approve the proposed 2026–27 district calendar and to adopt several targeted changes to the 2025–26 calendar. Lavena Jones Davis, chair of the district calendar committee, said the changes to the current year included moving an asynchronous day from March 5 to March 4, designating the scheduled trade-in day as part of winter break on Dec. 23, adding a professional-development day on April 20, and clarifying that the district recognizes Eid al-Adha on the calendar.

Board members discussed questions raised at prior meetings about whether school-board election dates could be included on the district calendar; staff said the Delaware Department of Elections does not publish exact school board election dates two years in advance but that the district will continue to post election dates on the district website. Calendar staff also noted that House Bill 65 — legislation to shift the September state primary to April’s presidential primary — remains pending in the state senate and would take effect only after Dec. 31, 2026, if enacted.

The board considered contract language raised by members during related discussions about how trade-in days are scheduled. Meeting comments referenced applicable collective-bargaining provisions (EEA contract Article 19.70.1) governing the scheduling of trade-in days before Thanksgiving; the district said it had scheduled those days consistent with the contract language shared at the meeting.

Why it matters: The student code of conduct sets behavioral expectations and disciplinary procedures for students across the district and is reviewed annually, district staff said. The calendar approvals set instructional and staffing schedules used by families and employees and incorporate a new professional-development day and recognition of a key religious observance.

What’s next: The district will finalize and publish the approved calendars and the student code of conduct; staff said the calendar will be posted on the district website and the code will be implemented for the 2025–26 school year.

","The Brandywine School District Board of Education approved the 2025–26 student code of conduct on second reading and adopted the 2026–27 proposed district calendar plus minor adjustments to the 2025–26 calendar, including moving an asynchronous day, clarifying trade-in/winter break days and recognizing Eid al-Adha on the calendar.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Concord students, parents and faculty ask board for transparency after quick principal appointment

Student reporters and district honor educators as seniors announce college and career plans

Board approves 2025–26 student code of conduct and 2026–27 calendar; minor 2025–26 calendar adjustments adopted