Beyond the rules: We must empower Delaware’s school boards for real impact | Opinion

AI-assisted summary
• Delaware lawmakers are proposing a legislative package aimed at increasing transparency and accountability for school boards.
• First State Educate supports the package but believes training and tools are essential for school board effectiveness beyond basic compliance.
• The author emphasizes the importance of equipping school board members with the necessary skills to drive positive student outcomes and ensure effective leadership.

Delaware lawmakers are taking an important step in addressing school board operations and transparency. It’s needed. Members of local school boards play a pivotal role in governing school districts in service of students and families. The newly proposed legislative school board transparency package touches on key areas like residency requirements, background checks, public comment and FOIA compliance training. These are necessary guardrails, and at First State Educate, or FSE, we fully support efforts to clarify expectations for board members — but we need to go further. Regulations alone won’t build the strong, effective school boards Delaware students deserve. Board members need more than just a basic understanding of the rules, they need the tools and training to transform our school system into a model of excellence with superior student outcomes.

Strong school boards do more than just follow the rules, though that is essential. They set a clear vision, make strategic decisions and cultivate collaboration to drive meaningful improvements in student outcomes. Compliance alone doesn’t create lasting impact. At FSE, we’ve seen firsthand that when passionate, engaged leaders are equipped with the right training and tools, they don’t just step up; they take off, providing substantive leadership that directly benefits our students.

To truly strengthen school board leadership, we must go beyond regulations and ensure that student success remains the priority. Here’s how we can build on this legislative package to make that happen:

HB64 would require that school boards have a virtual option for the community to watch meetings and provide public comment. This is a great first step towards accessibility. But real public participation requires stronger connections between school boards and the communities they serve. Engagement isn’t just about showing up; it’s about fostering meaningful dialogue and ensuring that public input informs decision-making. That’s why at FSE we recently trained community members on how to participate effectively in public comment, not just by speaking, but by engaging in ways that promote productive conversations and improved outcomes for all. True public involvement happens when boards listen actively, respond transparently, and create opportunities for collaboration that go beyond procedural formalities.

We also support the introduction of accountability measures for elected board members, like HB85 and HB82. Holding board members to residency and background check requirements makes sense. But accountability shouldn’t just be about who serves, it should also be about how well they serve. Are school boards making informed financial and policy decisions? Does every elected member of any school board in Delaware understand a balance sheet and evaluate the impact of their investment decisions? Ultimately, are a school board’s choices leading to better outcomes for students? Rules won’t answer these questions for us, but prioritizing training for our leaders to drive positive results will!

At First State Educate, we see how our training in public engagement, Roberts Rules of Order and effective governance have positively impacted school board operations. For example, we recently worked with the Red Clay Consolidated School Board, using the Clifton Strengths Assessment to identify members’ strengths in strategic thinking, relationship building, communicating and executing. Now that each member understands their primary strengths and the strengths of their colleagues on the board, they are better equipped to work collaboratively in their decision making. And we’re building on this momentum. 

Shortly after the May 13, 2025 school board elections, we’ll host a post-election “bootcamp” to equip newly elected board members with the knowledge and skills they need to lead effectively. This training will specifically cover policy making, data driven decision making, budgeting, and ethical standards. This onboarding is a first step to ensuring newly elected board members are prepared to make informed decisions that drive meaningful student outcomes – and it’s needed because these new school board members will be making big decisions at each board’s Annual Meeting, which always occurs shortly after the May 13 election. 

With years of experience training officials and researching best practices nationwide, we know how to invest in school boards that are ready to lead with purpose. At FSE, this is our mission every day. We stand ready to partner with lawmakers, school districts, and communities to ensure school board reform goes beyond governance and regulations — it’s about delivering real results for students.

Julia Keleher is the executive director ofFirst State Educate, a nonprofit focused on strengthening school board leadership and governance in Delaware.