Wilmington Learning Collaborative: $10 million state allocation backs cross‑district educator and community initiatives

Dr. Laura Burgos, executive director of the Wilmington Learning Collaborative, told the Delaware State Board of Education on Feb. 20 that the nonprofit network has a $10,000,000 state allocation for the current year to support cross‑district work in nine Wilmington schools.

The WLC, Burgos said, is a 501(c)(3) network spanning Red Clay, Christina and Brandywine districts that aims to reduce silos, center decisions on students and build purposeful partnerships. "We are a 5 0 1 c 3 nonprofit, cross‑district network of schools," Burgos said, outlining work on community councils, a teacher‑leader design fellowship and a TAP (teacher assessment preparation) pilot to increase teacher certification rates.

Why it matters: the WLC’s programs are designed to let schools pilot ideas and share successful practices across districts while preserving district control. Burgos said the WLC operates under a single memorandum of understanding executed in November 2022; that MOU gives districts ‘‘ultimate authority over their schools’’ but authorizes the WLC council — made up of superintendents, board members, parents and appointed roles — to make certain decisions for participating schools.

The presentation laid out several near‑term priorities. Burgos described three strategic “shifts” — students first, purposeful partnerships and connected schools — and highlighted initiatives that include: - Community councils intended to bring families and residents into cross‑district decision‑making; the WLC plans a first cross‑council convening in late March. - A teacher‑leader design fellowship that currently includes nearly 40 teacher leaders with job‑embedded coaching and national learning visits. - TAP, a preparation program that offered a pilot cohort and on‑site childcare to reduce barriers for aspiring educators. - A College Unbound pilot to help adults in school communities complete degrees and transition to educator roles.

On funding and governance, Burgos told the board the WLC is “completely state funded” and that it has a $10,000,000 allocation for this year, with the ability to carry over unspent funds. She described the programmatic budget as managed through transfers to the three districts and said operational funds are smaller and managed by the WLC team.

Board members pressed on how WLC work aligns with school improvement plans and asked how excluded schools might be added. Burgos said ELTs (educator leader teams) must align proposals to school improvement plans and that districts retain the right under the MOU to add or remove partner schools; she encouraged follow‑up conversations with the Brandywine School District about any exclusions.

Reverend Powell recommended exploring a community education ambassador pilot to help families navigate different school options and services; Burgos said the WLC is already coordinating with partners such as United Way and the city’s Office of Educational Advocacy.

No board action was taken on the WLC presentation. Burgos said the initiative is in early phases for some activities and that the WLC is planning a spring ELT convening on April 5 at the Riverfront Hyatt.

Sources: Dr. Laura Burgos, executive director, Wilmington Learning Collaborative; board questions and responses recorded at the Feb. 20 State Board meeting.

The board did not vote on WLC policy during the meeting; follow‑up conversations with district leaders and community partners were suggested.