Delaware / School Districts / Brandywine School District
The board voted to accept the 2025–26 final budget after a presentation showing an unexpected enrollment decline of 279 students, projected tuition-tax overspending of $1.5 million, and a projected 06/30/2026 local fund balance of about $8.9 million; trustees discussed appeals from a county reassessment and capital needs.
Delaware / School Districts / Brandywine School District
Superintendent Dr. Lawson told the board current Smarter Balanced assessments require deeper reading, analysis and written explanations compared with the older DSTP items; the district also celebrated three statewide educator honors (state teacher, principal and assistant principal of the year).
Delaware / School Districts / Brandywine School District
Board members said the Reading Consortium’s selection of a Northern Newcastle County model and its six-week timeline to present to the State Board leave unanswered legal and logistical questions; Superintendent and trustees urged clearer drafting, public hearings and time to meet 13 statutory requirements.
Delaware / School Districts / Brandywine School District
The board received a first read of the revised 2026–27 calendar: schools closed for Yom Kippur and Eid (offices open); professional development/parent conference shifts; first student day Aug. 26; graduation and last student day noted; calendar will return for approval in February.
Delaware / School Districts / Brandywine School District
At the Jan. board meeting, student councils from several high schools highlighted recent service projects, arts and athletics. The district recognized Wrapped Wishes volunteers who delivered more than 1,000 gifts to 198 children from 67 families during a federal SNAP freeze.
Delaware / School Districts / Brandywine School District
Superintendent Lawson reported the districton-track attendance measure recovered to 86% in school year '25, announced a new MTSS attendance tool for school leaders, and credited shared social-worker support with reducing chronic absenteeism at several elementary schools.
Delaware / School Districts / Brandywine School District
Board members debated what direction, if any, to give Superintendent Lawson ahead of a Reading Consortium vote the following day, expressing concerns about lack of a concrete plan, incomplete financial data and potential resegregation. No formal board instruction was adopted; Lawson will decide in the moment.
Delaware / School Districts / Brandywine School District
The Redding Consortium told a Brandywine School District workshop it has narrowed redistricting options to three high-level models and will receive fiscal estimates from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) before the consortium votes on which model to develop into a full plan.
Delaware / School Districts / Brandywine School District
Fifty-one residents spoke during public comment, many demanding detailed AIR fiscal estimates, model-level impacts and safeguards for students with disabilities; the board moved to table a separate district success planning item and adjourned.
Delaware / School Districts / Brandywine School District
Three short social clips that summarize the most newsworthy moments: superintendent data on special-education enrollment, finance officer's cash-flow warning, and the president's recusal on the facilities-policy vote.