Committee advances budget amendment to create Office of Educational Advocacy; staffing and mayoral pay changes included

Wilmington — The Finance and Economic Development Committee voted Jan. 13 to send Ordinance 25‑1, an amendment to the fiscal year 2025 operating budget, to the full Wilmington City Council for consideration on Jan. 16. The amendment would fund a pilot Office of Educational Advocacy, revise several city job titles and positions, and raise the mayor's salary; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

Council President Trippie Congo, sponsor of the amendment, opened discussion by saying state education outcomes demand local action: “Our state ranks 45th in the country … less than half of Wilmington students are testing at grade level in math, and only 26% are at grade level in English,” he said, arguing the city needs a permanent office to advocate for Wilmington students.

The amendment funds a Phase 1 pilot for an Office of Educational Advocacy that would be staffed by a director, a consultant and an administrative assistant. Dr. Kendra Broomfield Nwanga, the council's legislative research and policy director, described the proposed office as a connector that would track and compile casework across public, charter and private schools, build sustained advocacy, and advise council on legislative changes. “The goal would be to serve all students whether they're going to city schools, whether they're bussed out to other schools,” Broomfield Nwanga said.

Supporters said the office would give the council an ongoing policy role in education and a formal channel for coordinating with state lawmakers and partners such as the Wilmington Learning Collaborative and the Redding Consortium. State Rep. Nnamdi (as identified in the meeting) told the committee the city has legislative tools to require services such as before‑ and after‑school programs and urged council to use the new office to focus on policy and coordination across districts.

Council members asked detailed questions about scope, staffing and expected outcomes. Council Member Leticia Bracey questioned whether the workload justified a full‑time position and asked how success would be measured, saying the office must move beyond relationship building to clear, defined outcomes. Council Member Owens asked whether the pilot staffing levels (one director, consultant and administrative support) would be sufficient to conduct the deep, cross‑sector work supporters described; Council President Congo responded the pilot is a first step and acknowledged the office will likely need to expand.

Helen Anderson of the Wilmington Learning Collaborative and Council Member Jay Street, who spoke from New Castle County, urged collaboration among local partners, the mayor's office and state leaders. Jay Street placed the proposal in historical context and said stronger city representation in education policy will require sustained legislative effort and, possibly, litigation in the long term to protect students' interests. Mayor Baker (as identified in the meeting) also voiced support and said the office will need to grow and seek funding beyond city resources, including foundations and corporate partners.

The amendment also includes technical and staffing changes in other departments. Deputy Treasurer Alfred Lance told the committee the treasurer’s office seeks two title changes (pension manager → retirement benefits and pension manager; debt and cash manager → cash and investments portfolio manager) and that those changes carry no salary or fiscal impact in the current year. Kevin Kelly, representing the mayor's transition team, described administrative reorganizations that would delete four positions and add six, producing a six‑month net fiscal impact of approximately $137,543; he said two of the six are truly new positions (a constituent services officer and a mayor’s office receptionist). Kelly also described a proposed increase in the mayor’s salary (reported in the presentation as moving from $123,000 to $185,000) and said the adjustment is intended to align the mayor’s pay with the chief of staff.

After discussion, the committee chair called for a motion to move Ordinance 25‑1 out of committee. A motion and second were made, members answered “Aye” on a voice vote, and the chair announced the motion carried. The ordinance was scheduled for the full council agenda on Jan. 16.

The committee discussion emphasized that the Office of Educational Advocacy is intended as a council‑level, ongoing policy office (rather than a short‑term program) and that the Phase 1 pilot will prioritize building evidence and stakeholder buy‑in to decide future scope and staffing. Members and outside speakers repeatedly framed the office as a first step and stressed that success will require continued collaboration with state lawmakers, school districts, community partners and residents.

Votes at a glance Ordinance 25‑1 (Amendment #2 to FY2025 operating budget; amends substitute #1 to Ordinance 24‑016): Motion to move ordinance out of committee — Passed by voice vote; scheduled for full council on Jan. 16.