The Christina School District Board of Education voted 4-3 on April (date not specified) to approve Deirdre Joyner as the district's next superintendent and later voted unanimously to direct counsel to enter contract negotiations with Joyner.

Board members cast their votes after a lengthy selection process conducted by Ray and Associates and public comments from union representatives and community members. The board then passed a separate motion, 7-0, to authorize the district's legal counsel to negotiate a contract for Joyner with terms “comparable to those of other superintendents in Delaware,” the board recorded.

The selection follows a multi-stage search run by Ray and Associates under a request-for-proposal process. According to the board's description of the search, roughly 50 people applied, 39 met the stated criteria, that list was narrowed to 11, then to six finalists interviewed by board-appointed panels before three finalists — Deirdre Joyner, Kendra Johnson and Yearwood — were presented for final ranking.

Public commenters and union leaders endorsed Joyner during the meeting. Karen Gray, who identified herself as a member of the Christina Education Association and a McVay Elementary School DEIB team member, thanked the board for supporting “diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging” and for standing “strong in the face of oppression and attacks on our students and their rights.” Gretchen Luce, president of the Christina Paraprofessional Association, told the board that the association “formally endorses Deirdre Joyner for the position of superintendent of the Christina School District,” citing Joyner's record of collaboration with bargaining units.

Board member Amy Trout said she supports Joyner, noting the unions’ endorsements and the candidate’s experience inside the district. Other board members also spoke at length in favor of Joyner’s experience and ability to provide stability; several speakers defended alternative finalists on academic grounds and raised concerns about student proficiency and special education that factored into their votes.

The formal vote to approve Joyner as the next superintendent recorded these individual positions: Amy Trout — yes; YF Lou — yes; Monica Moriac — yes; Douglas Manley — yes; Naveed Baucher — no; Alethea Smith Tucker — no; Donald Patton — no. The board announced the outcome as approved by a vote of 4 to 3.

After that approval, a motion to immediately install Joyner as interim superintendent was moved by Alethea Smith Tucker but later withdrawn following questions about whether Joyner had accepted the job and concerns about contract details, transition logistics and legal liability. The board then passed, 7-0, a separate motion directing counsel to begin negotiations on a contract for Joyner with terms and compensation comparable to similarly experienced superintendents in Delaware. The timeline discussed on the record anticipated additional work over the coming weeks and referenced the board's next meeting schedule.

Board members and the meeting record described Norm Kennedy as the district staff member who worked with Ray and Associates on scheduling finalists’ visits and Mike Stafford as the district legal counsel who recommended the contract-direction wording that the board adopted.

What the board approved at the meeting was the board’s selection and direction to negotiate a contract. The transcript records that contract terms, a final signed agreement and any effective start date remain subject to negotiation and the candidate's acceptance. The board noted a follow-up meeting timeline and that any contract would be processed through the district's legal review before becoming effective.

Votes at a glance

• Motion: Approve Deirdre Joyner as the next superintendent of Christina School District. Outcome: approved, 4–3. Recorded yes votes: Amy Trout; YF Lou; Monica Moriac; Douglas Manley. Recorded no votes: Naveed Baucher; Alethea Smith Tucker; Donald Patton.

• Motion: Direct counsel to enter into contract negotiations with Deirdre Joyner for a contract “containing terms, provisions and compensation comparable to those of other superintendents in Delaware.” Outcome: approved, 7–0.

• Motion: Move to immediately install Deirdre Joyner as interim superintendent, effective immediately. Outcome: motion withdrawn/no action on the floor.

The board chair noted the next board meeting timing and that negotiations and any required administrative recommendations would be addressed in the coming weeks. The board's public materials referenced posted candidate resumes, interview questions and 90-/100-day entry plans for finalists on the district website for public review.