New school, school additions and 1,100 homes planned in Smyrna

The Smyrna School District is planning a new school and additions to two others as the community continues to grow including two housing developments with a combined 1,135 lots.

The new fourth and fifth grade school will have a capacity of 600 students on the west side of Rabbit Chase Lane across from Sunnyside Elementary.

Kent County school board elections 2023: Your guide to candidates

While often sparsely attended in past years, school board meetings in some communities are becoming more crowded and controversial with topics like in-person vs. virtual instruction, mask mandates, safety concerns, bullying, transgender policies and parents' involvement in curriculum choices.

In Kent County, residents will have the chance to choose representatives on boards during elections Tuesday, May 9, in Smyrna, Caesar Rodney and Milford school districts, while three districts don't have elections – Capital, Lake Forest and Woodbridge – because candidates were unopposed.

How do I vote in Delaware school board elections? The basics

Voters must be at least 18 years old and live in the district where they are casting a ballot. Proof of ID and address will be requested, such as a driver's license, ID card or U.S. mail with street address. Being registered to vote in state and federal elections is not required, nor is having children in schools.

Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 9, with various locations across each district. Voters can also request an absentee ballot.

VOTE411League of Women Voters school board election guide

Capital

No election. Incumbent candidate Sean P.M. Christiansen was unopposed for the four-year, at-large seat.

Delaware's school board election guide:Who's running in New Castle County?

More:What to know about school board elections in Sussex County. Elections to be held Tuesday.

Caesar Rodney, four-year term, at-large seat

Polling places

Allen Frear Elementary, 238 Sorghum Mill Road, Camden-Wyoming

W.B. Simpson Elementary, 5 Old North Road, Wyoming

W. Reily Brown Elementary, 360 Webbs Lane, Dover

Tawanna Prophet Brinkley, Magnolia

Background: A school counselor in the Lake Forest District for seven years, Prophet Brinkley was previously a paraprofessional at Fifer Middle School and a preschool teacher for the Early Childhood Assistance Program. She has two children who have graduated from the CR District and one attending now. She’s served as a board member at Early College High School and for four years as first vice president for the national sorority Phi Delta Kappa-Alpha Pi Chapter. She declined to give her age or political party, saying, “I am not influenced by a political party and instead am running with the focus of what is in the best interest of our students. The group that will be influencing the decisions I make are the citizens of the Caesar Rodney School District, the families and the students.”

Issues: The top three factors that motivated her to run for the board are the need for equity, transparency and more parent engagement. She said the most important issues in districts across the country, not just in CR, are staff retention and safety.

While the district referendum April 22 didn’t pass, Prophet Brinkley said she was in favor of the plan: “The referendum would have allowed the district to increase educators' salaries and make needed repairs for our schools.”

As for controversial issues such as critical race theory, parental involvement in a district’s curriculum choices and transgender policies, she said she wouldn’t comment on critical race theory specifically but, “Culturally relative/culturally responsive teaching is a priority. I believe parental involvement in the district's curriculum choices should be taken into consideration. Regarding transgender policies, I believe we should treat all individuals like we would want to be treated and that is with love, respect and support.”

Nicole Hill, 44, Dover

Background: Hill is the Kent County coordinator for Read Aloud Delaware since March 2021, recruiting, training and coordinating volunteers to read in childcare centers and writing grant proposals to help fund the program. She worked for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control as an environmental scientist and program manager. She has three children who attend district schools and listed her political affiliation as independent.

Issues: Hill decided to run for the board because, “I am a proud CR graduate and I received an excellent education that helped to prepare me for college and the workforce. I want the same, or better, for all of the students attending CR schools.” She is concerned about the safety of students and staff and heard other parents express concerns. “As a mom of three kids that attend schools in the district and a wife of a CR teacher, I felt that I could offer a unique perspective in these areas as well as many others.”

She said the top issue is the recruitment and retention of quality educators. She favors competitive pay, expanding the search for candidates by also recruiting outside Delaware and using alternative certification programs for those with degrees other than in education. She wants to encourage students interested in becoming teachers by promoting the high school’s education pathway.

As for the district referendum that failed April 22, Hill was initially against the plan, "but after attending one of the district meetings explaining the need for the referendum, I felt that I had a much better understanding of why it was necessary.” She said the district should improve communication with the community and explain what’s been done to cut expenses before asking for another referendum because an increase in taxes is difficult for most families, including hers. "However, it is challenging for the district to continue to provide high-quality programs as well as recruit and maintain quality educators without adequate operating funds,” she said.

On controversial issues like critical race theory, parental involvement in a district’s curriculum choices and transgender policies, Hill said, “Students should have access to a wide variety of educational resources. Schools should foster an environment that encourages the exploration of different perspectives and ideas while ensuring that materials are developmentally appropriate. I am in favor of parental involvement in the district’s curriculum choices.”

School boards should listen to families, review the curriculum, seek expert advice, consider alternatives and communicate the decisions transparently.

“All students have the right to access quality education without discrimination,” she said.

Emily Phelan, 40, Magnolia

Background: An Air Force veteran, Phelan also worked as a medical receptionist and is now a Realtor. She is the Allen Frear Elementary PTA vice president with a daughter who attends the school and a stepson who graduated from the district. As for political affiliation, she said she's fiscally conservative but more libertarian in her views that political/social agendas shouldn’t be part of public school education.

Issues: She was motivated to run for the board because teachers need help, students are falling behind particularly with low reading and math scores, and change is needed. She said the top issue in the district is disciplinary discrepancy. She favors examining discipline policies to make them more consistent, with more accountability and transparency. “We need to have ground rules. They need to be clear cut," Phelan said. "While younger children need more guidance in what is right and wrong, by the time the older students are getting ready to go out into the world, they need to be better prepared for the consequences of their actions.”

As for the district referendum that failed April 22, Phelan said she realizes the district needs help, but she was against this referendum because she wants more transparency about how the district is spending money. She believes schools need financial help, “but this was asking too much, too fast with too little information.”

On controversial issues like critical race theory, transgender policies and parental involvement in a district’s curriculum choices, Phelan said, “I’m all for parental rights in schools. More parents should be involved. That will help with accountability and teacher-parent relations. I also believe political and social agendas shouldn’t be part of school curriculum. Maybe we could have after-school programs for parents who want that for their children.”

Lake Forest

No election. Incumbent candidate Jordan McCloskey was unopposed for the four-year, at-large seat.

Milford, four-year term, at-large seat

Polling places

Benjamin Banneker Elementary School, 449 North St., Milford

Evelyn I. Morris Early Childhood Center, 8609 3rd St., Lincoln

Lulu M. Ross Elementary School, 310 Lovers Ln., Milford

Milford High School, 1019 N. Walnut St., Milford

Danielle W. Deinert, 34, Lincoln

Background: Deinert graduated from the Milford School District and two of her three children are enrolled in district schools. She serves as Parent Teacher Partnership president at Morris Early Childhood Center and serves on the Parent Teacher Partnership at Ross Elementary School. She coaches for the Milford Little League and Girls On The Run.

Deinert has a master's degree in special education and over 10 years of experience in teaching and administration. She declined to state her political party affiliation.

Issues: Deinert wants to focus on school safety, discipline, bullying, increasing family and community engagement and academic achievement.

Ashlee Connell, Milford

This candidate did not respond to requests for comments from Delaware Online/The News Journal.

District A

No election. Candidate Victor "Butch" Elzey III was unopposed for the four-year term.

District B

No election. Candidate Jennifer Massotti was unopposed for the one-year term.

Smyrna, four-year term, at-large seat

Polling places

Smyrna Elementary, 121 S. School Lane, Smyrna

Smyrna Middle School, 700 Duck Creek Parkway, Smyrna

Kenton Ruritan Club, 249 S. Main St., Kenton

Marie Fontaine St. Pierre, 39, Smyrna

Background: A Realtor for nearly six years, Fontaine St. Pierre has a 17-year-old son who attends Smyrna High School. For four years, she's served on the town of Smyrna Board of Adjustment which rules on zoning variance requests. She’s a member of the Alpha Beta Gamma sorority at Delaware Technical Community College, the Holly’s Club and the Boys and Girls Club board. She declined to disclose her political party, advocating a neutral approach in school board elections.

Issues: Fontaine St. Pierre decided to run for the board because she wants to serve as “a liaison between parents, teachers and the community, providing the best resources for our children's education, and allowing parents to have the most influence in their children's life.” She wants to recognize and prioritize instructors' interests and concerns.

She said the most important issues in the district are continuing to push for high-quality, intellectually-rigorous education to prepare students for the competitive labor market, providing safe schools, confronting bullying and cyberbullying, and expanding self-esteem initiatives for students.

As for controversial issues such as critical race theory, transgender policies and parental involvement in a district’s curriculum choices, she said, “An inclusive educational system offers various advantages, including enhanced educational quality for all students and assisting students in becoming more responsive to an inclusive attitude. This could also help with behavioral issues, self-esteem, social skills, and community involvement. All students have the right to a challenging core education and outstanding instruction from well-trained educators. Students should be allowed to have an open and honest discussion about America's past, and they deserve to see themselves and the issues that impact them reflected in their classrooms and books.”

She encourages parents to attend board meetings to address issues and share comments and insights.

Bobbi Jo Webber, 44, Kenton

Background: A farmer for over 25 years along with her husband on their family’s farm, she has two children, a son who attends Smyrna High School and a daughter at Clayton Intermediate School. She’s volunteered for 10 years at Sunnyside Elementary and Clayton Intermediate School, running fundraisers, helping teachers in classrooms and hosting free field trips at her family’s farm. She declined to disclose her political party: “I believe that a school board election is not a political race."

Issues: Webber wanted to run for school board to improve safety, success of students, transparency and teacher compensation. She believes teachers and staff should hold students accountable for misconduct and follow through with consequences, but also favors hiring constables “who will help pull some of that responsibility off of the teachers so that they can focus on education.” She wants the administration to notify parents “about important issues that occur in the schools – the good and the bad.” She also favors competitive pay: “We cannot lose these amazing educators we have to neighboring districts because of financial reasons.”

As for controversial issues such as critical race theory, transgender policies and parental involvement in a district’s curriculum choices, she said, “In my opinion, all races and groups should be represented in our classes. Our students should be exposed to a well-rounded curriculum. Bias and unfounded opinion do not belong in the classroom.”

On transgender policies, Webber said, “I believe that students can express themselves in a way that they feel is appropriate, although personal expression cannot become a distraction for other students. I do not approve of transgender students using the locker room or rest room of their choice of gender. I feel it could develop into an unsafe and distracting situation for other students."

In curriculum decisions, she said parents and community members should have their opinions represented, but they also need to trust educators to make decisions that will benefit students’ education.

Woodbridge

No election. Incumbent candidate Jeffrey W. Allen was unopposed for the four-year, at-large seat.

Smyrna School District Superintendent Debbie Wicks retiring

Jessica Bies

The News Journal

Smyrna Superintendent Debbie Wicks will retire June 30 after serving the district for four full decades.

Wicks announced her retirement in December and has said she will continue to live in Smyrna, of which she is a lifelong resident.

She will step away from one of the fastest growing school districts in the state. Smyrna School District serves 5,233 students, has eight schools and 712 employees, according to the district. Enrollment has grown almost 25 percent over the past 10 years and continues to trend upward.

The school board plans on advertising for a new superintendent after its Feb. 15 organizational meeting. It will be the first time the district has had to hire a superintendent in almost two decades, according to a statement.

Wicks has served in that position for 19 years. Before that, she served as a special education teacher and associate principal.

She joined the district in 1967, after graduating from the University of Delaware.

STORY: DSEA president election ends in tie

STORY: Delaware bill mandates school safety measures

Fostering teamwork has been an important part of Wicks’ success, according to a district statement. She has overseen school remodeling and construction projects, working with district staff to provide a secure environment for students, and in 2014, oversaw a large capital referendum.

Wicks was also involved in the restoration of John Bassett Moore Intermediate School and the School Special Services building. In 2015, she was presented the Community Friend Award by the Twentieth Century Club of Smyrna, and in 2016, she was presented the Star of Smyrna by the Smyrna Downtown Renaissance Association, a nonprofit organization that encourages the beautification and preservation of Smyrna's Historic District.

"Working with a wonderful community, a great staff and caring students, and an excellent school board has made the 40-year journey seem short," Wicks said in a statement, adding that after her retirement, she plans on researching her family's history and traveling with family and friends.

Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.

Delaware school board election results: Here are the newest members

Tuesday brought nearly 21,000 Delawareans to the polls for elections impacting kids, schools and their communities.

School board races in New Castle County hosted some of the heaviest competition this year, but ballots were cast across every county May 9.

Delmar and Milford schools technically dominated in turnout across districts at 10% and 8% of registered voters, respectively, according to results released about 10 p.m. However, Red Clay's 4.4% carried nearly double the votes of both combined at over 4,700.

Average turnout was just under 5%.

Preliminary results now reveal the latest additions to Delaware's school boards, most set to serve for four years in these new seats. The results remain unofficial until certification.

New Castle County

Appoquinimink School District

At-large seat

Tashiba Graham — Winner (970, 39.2% of the vote)

(970, 39.2% of the vote) Timothy Johns (537 votes)

Raymond Petkevis (966 votes)

Christina School District

District C

Christine Gilbert (1,226 votes)

Douglas Danger Manley — Winner (2,298, 65.2% of vote)

District E

Y.F. Lou — Winner (2,395, 67.8% of the vote)

(2,395, 67.8% of the vote) Yong Peng (1,138 votes)

Read:Climate change impact is intensifying everywhere. Do you know where Delaware's risk ranks?

Red Clay Consolidated School District

District A

Aje English-Wynn — Winner (2,616, 57% of the vote)

(2,616, 57% of the vote) John Shulli (1,973 votes)

District D

Carlucci Coelho (1,925 votes)

Jose Matthews — Winner (2,741, 58.7% of the vote)

Smyrna School District

At-large seat

Marie Fontaine St. Pierre (161 total votes)

Bobbi Jo Webber — Winner (535, 76.9% of the vote)

Brandywine School District

Incumbent candidates Shanika Perry and Ralph Ackerman were unopposed in districts A and C, respectively.

Colonial School District

Candidates Ronald Handy Sr. and Ja'Lisa White were unopposed in districts A and C, respectively.

MEET THE CANDIDATES:School board election guide for New Castle County

Kent County

Capital School District

Incumbent Sean P.M. Christiansen was unopposed for the at-large seat.

Caesar Rodney School District

At-large seat

Tawanna Prophet Brinkley (225 votes)

Nicole Hill — Winner (557, 54.2% of the vote)

(557, 54.2% of the vote) Emily Phelan (245 votes)

Lake Forest School District

Incumbent candidate Jordan McCloskey was unopposed for this at-large seat.

Milford School District

At-large seat

Danielle Deinert (822 votes)

Ashlee Connell — Winner (1,050, 56.1% of the vote)

Candidate Victor "Butch" Elzey III was unopposed for District A, and Jennifer Massotti was unopposed for a one-year term in District B.

MEET THE CANDIATES:Kent County school board candidate guide

Sussex County

Cape Henlopen School District

District A

Jessica A. Tyndall — Winner ( 2,516, 64.1% of the vote)

( 2,516, 64.1% of the vote) Shawn L. Lovenguth (1,408 votes)

Delmar School District

At-large seat

Shane Bowden — Winner (334, 59.6% of the vote)

(334, 59.6% of the vote) Dawn Turner (226)

Indian River School District

District 2

Leo J. Darmstadter III (139 votes)

Ivan D. Neal — Winner (266, 52.6% of the vote)

(266, 52.6% of the vote) Michael Bellerose (101 votes)

Laurel School District

At-large seat

Ivy Bonk (86 votes)

Sabrina Isler — Winner (176, 67.2% of the vote)

Seaford School District

At-large seat

Armore Rice — Winner (380, 45.6% of the vote)

(380, 45.6% of the vote) Stephanie Smith (311 votes)

David Tull (142 votes)

Woodbridge School District

Incumbent Jeffrey Allen was unopposed for an at-large seat.

MEET THE CANDIDATES:School board election guide for Sussex County

Delaware school board election guide: Know who's running in New ...

Quiet, monotonous meetings once left largely unattended have become battlegrounds for political issues all across the country. Mask mandates, book bans, social justice issues and other national debates have made it to the boardroom. And districts in Delaware’s largest county have been no stranger to unruly debates, packed meetings and sharp tensions.

Now, such a trend continues to trickle down to local elections.

New Castle County hosts the heaviest competition in school board races this year — as Appoquinimink, Red Clay and Christina public schools post contentious races for open seats.

Pushes to strip mask mandates and return to in-person learning dominated rooms in the pandemic. Other student-rights issues, like giving transgender students access to bathrooms or affirming anti-discrimination policies, have also become politically charged in New Castle’s school-board discourse.

Delaware PTA expects to focus on a few major issues this election, the group told Delaware Online, like health and safety in schools, learning loss recovery, school funding and boosting family engagement. However, general opposition to social justice themes — from banning books, challenging critical race theory or other representation — are expected to appear in new packaging, members said, from discussions of a "Parent Bill of Rights" to concerns of "indoctrination.”

High learning:New plan promises experience outside the classroom will earn college credit in Delaware

All of these hot-button issues have, however, brought more eyes to school boards.

"That's a good thing," said Sadé Truiett, the PTA’s vice president of advocacy, back in March. "We want people involved in our school boards, for people to really be speaking about the things that matter to our kids in our schools."

School board races are considered nonpartisan, though the races have become increasingly rife with political discourse and party influence.

This year’s election comes on Tuesday, May 9. We took a look at the backgrounds of candidates across the ballot. Keep exploring this voter guide from Delaware Online/The News Journal to learn more.

How do I vote in Delaware school board elections? The basics

Voters must be at least 18 years old and live in the district where they hope to cast a ballot. Proof of ID and address will be requested, which could come as a driver's license, ID card or U. S. mail with street address. Being registered to vote in state and federal elections is not required, nor is having children in schools.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 9, with various locations across each district. Voters can also request an absentee ballot.

Learn more about your district below.

[Go to: Appoquinimink, Christina, Red Clay, Smyrna ]

Appoquinimink School District

Correction: A previous version of this story stated ACLU-DE supported a particular candidate. It has since been changed, as the organization remains nonpartisan.

At-Large seat

Tashiba A. Graham, 40, Townsend

Background: Tashiba Graham is vice president of operations and innovation for a healthcare system in Pennsylvania. The mother of two has a youngest son in the Appoquinimink School District.

Issues: According to Graham, the focus of her campaign is advocating for students with special needs, school safety and teacher retention. She shared her intention to introduce regular assemblies to combat bullying and violence in schools and address general mental wellness among students.

Graham has stated her support for paying teachers and staff members a more competitive salary and improving incentives for new candidates while also evaluating what factors are working to keep staff members in the district. Engaging family members on resources available for students is another priority of hers.

In response to ACLU-DE voters guide questionnaire regarding national movements restricting certain curriculum material, Graham remains adamant that policies must be put in place to keep the district’s curriculum factual and comprehensive and protect the rights and inclusion of LGBTQ+ students. Graham has been supported by Appoquinimink Educational Support Professionals, First State Action Fund and more.

Education roundup:Delaware is 1 of 5 states to get $1 million for tutoring in schools

Timothy W. Johns, 57, Middletown

Note: This candidate did not return any requests for contribution from Delaware Online/The News Journal.

Background: Timothy Johns is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Heaven’s Gate Ministries, which he runs with his wife, Monique, in Newark. As co-founder, Johns oversees nonprofit charity work and established a leadership institute, where he has worked as an educator for 12 years. The U.S Army veteran is a father of four adult children.

Issues: Johns says he's mainly concerned with bridging the achievement gap between students of different backgrounds and accessibilities, while setting students up for success in the global marketplace with leadership skills.

Johns has stated during a public Q&A session that he believes conversations related to sexual orientation and gender identity are “family matters" and should be left out of the classroom. He proposes setting up a public forum where debates about curriculum censorship can take place and be evaluated fairly.

Restorative justice is another hallmark of Johns’ campaign, he told ACLU-DE in its voter guide, which includes training staff members and SROs about de-escalation techniques. He also proposes enhancing parent participation within the district by holding parent education classes focused on child development and communication.

Raymond J. Petkevis, 45, Middletown

Background: Raymond Petkevis is a real estate broker for Keller Williams Realty around the Middletown area and recently started a position as Delaware’s principal broker for REAL, a virtual-based real estate company. His two children are students in Appoquinimink.

Issues: Petkevis has mainly expressed concerns about violence in schools, citing outreach from community members worried about student safety. To combat this, reevaluating measures of rule enforcement and the district’s code of conduct have been suggested by the candidate.

The district’s teacher shortage and dwindling test scores are intertwined with issues related to violence in the district, according to Petkevis. In response to Citizens For Delaware Schools', he also recommended potentially soliciting funding from local developers to go toward the district’s resources and implementing financial responsibility into the curriculum for high school students.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

Alfred G. Waters Middle , 1235 Cedar Lane Road, Middletown

, 1235 Cedar Lane Road, Middletown Bunker Hill Elementary , 1070 Bunker Hill Road, Middletown

, 1070 Bunker Hill Road, Middletown Marion E. Proffitt Training Center , 118 S. 6th St., Odessa

, 118 S. 6th St., Odessa Middletown high, 120 Silver Lake Road, Middletown

120 Silver Lake Road, Middletown Old State Elementary , 580 Tony Marchio Drive, Townsend

, 580 Tony Marchio Drive, Townsend Olive B. Loss Elementary , 200 Brennan Blvd., Bear

, 200 Brennan Blvd., Bear Townsend Elementary, 126 Main St., Townsend

From Kent:Caesar Rodney’s bid to raise school taxes rejected by voters

Christina School District

District C

Christine Gilbert, 54, Newark

Background: This Delaware native has lived in Newark alongside her husband of 27 years since 1997, according to her campaign website. The alumna of Red Clay Public Schools holds a bachelor's degree in dance, as well as another bachelor's degree in English and a master's in education from the University of Delaware. Gilbert is a certified teacher, with experience from K-12 special education to high school English Language Arts, though currently a stay-at-home mother to her four children. Her two daughters and two sons attended private schools in Delaware.

Issues: “Let me be clear," wrote this candidate on her Facebook page, operating as a landing pad for other campaign materials. "The school’s role is to educate, NOT indoctrinate. Reading, writing, mathematics (not Common Core), true history (not Critical Race Theory or whatever name they’ve morphed it to).”

Gilbert said plummeting test scores in the district motivate her to run, alongside hopes to boost graduation rates and college readiness. She lists safety, effectiveness, curriculum and transparency as her priorities on her website. Among top-of-mind issues, she also noted parents and guardians "will have their voices heard."

Learning loss concerns:What’s the cost of failing math? Well, for Delaware kids it could be $66 billion

Douglas Danger Manley, 38, Newark

Background: Manley works at a cybersecurity startup as a software engineer, an industry and occupation he’s found himself in for about 17 years. The Newark resident is also a volunteer firefighter with Mill Creek Fire Company, where he’s been for the past decade. He’s now its president, after having served on the board for three years.

Managing a $3-4 million budget with Mill Creek, Manley told The News Journal/Delaware Online he’s used to dealing with a fixed amount of funding from state and local governments — which leave a “need to squeeze every bit of value out of that funding as we can to provide our services.”

Issues: Manley has no children, and he sees that as an asset. He says this will allow him to maintain a public-service perspective. The candidate shared his focus on supporting resources for Christina School District, sharpening communication and community engagement. He also said protecting students will be a priority, especially gay or transgender children — but he hopes the district “focuses on its mission of education and doesn't get lost in the mire” of various culture wars.

District E

Y.F. Lou, 36, Newark

Background: The single father of two children, enrolled in Christina, works with the state’s health department, where he said his work focuses on improving healthcare for the most vulnerable in long-term care facilities. He also serves as a volunteer firefighter for Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company. Lou's family moved to Delaware from China when he was young, an experience the candidate believes will allow him to advocate for Christina's diverse student body, as he said in a late-March candidate forum. He attended public school in Lewes, graduated from the University of Delaware, and has been a full-time Newark resident since 2012. Lou also attended both University of Southern California and Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health for graduate degrees.

Issues: With an 8-year-old at West Park Elementary — and a 5-year-old headed there in the fall — Lou finds himself motivated by three key issues: safety, community engagement and a goal to "broaden our students’ horizons."

For Lou, safety includes keeping guns out of schools, "fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students especially those most vulnerable," as well as monitoring environmental health and safety, such as lead. Community and stakeholder engagement, as he put it, focuses on how the pandemic created opportunities to capitalize on for information sharing and family engagement. In terms of broadening horizons, the candidate hopes to see more support of art programs to keep students "curious and innovative."

Yong Peng, 53, Newark

Background: Peng works for the federal government as a software engineer, having previously worked for companies like Delmarva Power and Bank of America. Peng, in one candidate forum, called himself a “happy immigrant” focused on giving back to Delaware. Peng was born in China and came to the U.S. to study. The 15-year resident of Newark has a doctorate in physics, having worked in research and teaching at a few universities before his current line of work. Peng said he has also worked as a math tutor in Wilmington.

Issues: Peng said he sees a “crisis in public education.” Two issues are top-of-mind for the father of two. One, he perceives too much focus on topics that are “ignoring the core curriculum,” which are reading, writing and math. He didn't elaborate. Two, he believes school policies are failing at “enhancing the parent's right to oversee their children’s education.” Peng said his daughter used to study in Christina School District, though no longer, and now he is running for the future of the community.

Polling places, open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

Pulaski Elementary School , 1300 Cedar St., Wilmington

, 1300 Cedar St., Wilmington The Bancroft School , 700 N. Lombard St., Wilmington

, 700 N. Lombard St., Wilmington Brader Elementary School , 350 Four Seasons Parkway., Newark

, 350 Four Seasons Parkway., Newark Christiana High School , 190 Salem Church Road, Newark

, 190 Salem Church Road, Newark Downes Elementary School , 220 Casho Mill Road, Newark

, 220 Casho Mill Road, Newark Keene Elementary School , 200 Cpl. Steven J Ballard Way, Newark

, 200 Cpl. Steven J Ballard Way, Newark Maclary Elementary School , 300 St. Regis Drive, Newark

, 300 St. Regis Drive, Newark Marshall Elementary School , 101 Barrett Run Drive, Newark

, 101 Barrett Run Drive, Newark Mcvey Elementary School , 908 Janice Drive, Newark

, 908 Janice Drive, Newark Newark High School , 750 E Delaware Ave., Newark

, 750 E Delaware Ave., Newark Shue-Medill Middle School , 1500 Capitol Trail, Newark

, 1500 Capitol Trail, Newark Wilson Elementary School, 14 Forge Road, Newark

Red Clay Consolidated School District

District A

Aje English-Wynn, 34, Wilmington

Background: This Delaware native works as a research analyst with the city of Wilmington, within the mayor's office. Before that, English-Wynn worked in the Department of Labor as a deputy principal. This career, the candidate said, meets more than 10 years of experience in mentorship and advocacy connected to K-12 education and the community. A "proud alumna" of Red Clay schools herself, English-Wynn also has a young child entering the district this fall. She said the Wilmington district prepared her for later degrees from Wilmington University and Delaware State.

Issues: The alumna said the impact of both "a supportive community and quality education" are keys to students succeeding. She noted three issues motivating her campaign: equity and access, parent engagement and support for educators.

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John Shulli, 50, Wilmington

Background: Born and raised in Wilmington, Shulli returned to his home state after 26 years in the U.S. Army and Department of Defense — 22 of which were spent overseas. He works in a civilian job on A.I. policy for the Pentagon, as well as teaches part time as a colonel in the Army Reserve. He graduated from John Dickinson High School before attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona.

Issues: Shulli said he's motivated to run by the "severe" learning loss faced since the pandemic and highlighted in state and district's statistics. The district must, as he sees it, "restore our children’s academic standings so they can compete in a local, regional, national and global jobs market."

District D

Carlucci Coelho, 53, Wilmington

Background: Coelho said he came to the U.S. hoping to work as an artist. He has worked in real estate since 2017, as well as the nonprofit sector. He earned a two-year degree in fashion business, according to his website, alongside a parallel degree in costume and set design while studying in Portugal. Though he doesn't have kids enrolled in the district, Coelho said he's been close to the community for over 30 years. Coelho also ran for state representative as a Republican last year, but did not secure a win in District 13.

Issues: Coelho stressed that he is against any kind of bullying, citing that protecting safety in schools is paramount in his platform. Another motivating issue is budgeting, making sure money is distributed "to those schools and programs who need the most." He also said he supports strong academics alongside more vocational training in every school.

In other background, in response to a question for the ACLU-DE voter's guide about the teaching of U.S. history and whether students have the right to learn free of viewpoint-based censorship, Coelho said parents should have "the choice of accepting or denying what their own kids have the right or not to read. These children have parents who have different views about life and we must respect all parents views." Also when running for state representative, the candidate expressed support for a failed 2022 bill aimed at barring transgender athletes to compete in school sports, saying: "Woman sports is woman sports."

Jose Matthews, 27, Elsmere

Background: Matthews has represented District D on the Red Clay School Board since 2018. Working in the healthcare field in different capacities over the last six years, his day job is working a community liaison for Rockford Center, a community mental health organization. The incumbent lives in Elsmere with his husband, who is a teacher.

Issues: Matthews said he wants to keep up his work. In his first term, he said, the board tackled many issues related to equity around the pandemic, one being transparency. He said he "was one of the biggest supporters on the board to make sure we continue to provide a Zoom option both to watch the meetings and to participate in public comment." If elected, he hopes to continue to offer that access.

Red Clay has fallen behind other northern New Castle County districts, Matthews said, in terms of keep up with building maintenance and competitive salaries. He plans to make that competitiveness a priority, even if it means the district's first referendum in nearly a decade. He also aims to maintain a focus on family and parent engagement.

Polling places, open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

Activity Center at Hockessin PAL , 7259 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin

, 7259 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin AI DuPont High School , 50 Hillside Road, Wilmington

, 50 Hillside Road, Wilmington Baltz Elementary School ,1500 Spruce Ave., Wilmington

,1500 Spruce Ave., Wilmington Cab Calloway School of Arts , 100 N. DuPont Road, Wilmington

, 100 N. DuPont Road, Wilmington Dickinson High School , 1801 Milltown Road, Wilmington

, 1801 Milltown Road, Wilmington Forest Oak Elementary School , 55 S Meadowood Drive, Newark

, 55 S Meadowood Drive, Newark Joseph E Johnson School , 2100 Gilpin Ave., Wilmington

, 2100 Gilpin Ave., Wilmington Marbrook Elementary School , 2101 Centerville Road, Wilmington

, 2101 Centerville Road, Wilmington McKean High School , 301 McKennans Church Road, Wilmington

, 301 McKennans Church Road, Wilmington North Star Elementary School , 1340 Little Baltimore Road, Hockessin

, 1340 Little Baltimore Road, Hockessin Warner Elementary School, 801 W 18th St., Wilmington

Smyrna School District

At-Large seat

Marie Fontaine St. Pierre, 39, Smyrna

Background: A Realtor for nearly six years, Fontaine St. Pierre has a 17-year-old son who attends Smyrna High School. For four years, she's handled zoning variance requests on the town of Smyrna's Board of Adjustment. She’s a member of the Alpha Beta Gamma sorority at Delaware Technical Community College, the Holly’s Club and the Boys and Girls Club board.

Issues: Fontaine St. Pierre decided to run for the board because she wants to serve as “a liaison between parents, teachers and the community, providing the best resources for our children's education, and allowing parents to have the most influence in their children's life.” She wants to recognize and prioritize instructors' interests and concerns.

She said the most important issues in the district are continuing to push for high-quality, intellectually-rigorous education to prepare students for the competitive labor market, providing safe schools, confronting bullying and cyberbullying and expanding self-esteem initiatives for students.

As for controversial issues such as critical race theory, transgender policies and parental involvement in a district’s curriculum choices, she said, “An inclusive educational system offers various advantages, including enhanced educational quality for all students and assisting students in becoming more responsive to an inclusive attitude. This could also help with behavioral issues, self-esteem, social skills, and community involvement. All students have the right to a challenging core education and outstanding instruction from well-trained educators. Students should be allowed to have an open and honest discussion about America's past, and they deserve to see themselves and the issues that impact them reflected in their classrooms and books.”

She encourages parents to attend board meetings to address issues and share comments and insights.

Bobbi Jo Webber, 44, Kenton

Background: A farmer for over 25 years along with her husband on their family’s farm, she has two children, a son who is a freshman at Smyrna High School and a daughter in sixth grade at Clayton Intermediate School. She’s volunteered for 10 years at Sunnyside Elementary and at Clayton Intermediate School, running fundraisers, helping teachers in classrooms and hosting free field trips at her family’s farm.

Issues: Webber wanted to run for school board to improve safety, success of students, transparency and teacher compensation. She believes teachers and staff should hold students accountable for misconduct and follow through with consequences, but also favors hiring constables “who will help pull some of that responsibility off of the teachers so that they can focus on education.” She wants the administration to notify parents “about important issues that occur in the schools – the good and the bad.” She favors competitive pay: “We cannot lose these amazing educators we have to neighboring districts because of financial reasons.”

In regard to issues like critical race theory, transgender policies and parental involvement in a district’s curriculum choices, she said, “All races and groups should be represented in our classes. Our students should be exposed to a well-rounded curriculum. Bias and unfounded opinion do not belong in the classroom.”

On transgender policies, Webber said, “I believe that students can express themselves in a way that they feel is appropriate, although personal expression cannot become a distraction for other students. I do not approve of transgender students using the locker room or restroom of their choice of gender. I feel it could develop into an unsafe and distracting situation for other students."

In curriculum decisions, she said parents and community members should have their opinions represented, but they also need to trust educators to make decisions that will benefit students’ education.

Polling places, open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

STUMP SCOTT: Smyrna planner says Ridley Parkway site use ...

Scott Broden

sbroden@dnj.com

SMYRNA – Sam Ridley Parkway continues to rival other roads in luring development to Rutherford County.

With this in mind, I decided this week's Stump Scott question would respond to a question from a Smyrna resident wanting to know what was coming to the northeast corner of Sam Ridley Parkway and Old Nashville Highway.

So I posed the question to Smyrna Planning Director Kevin Rigsby.

"At this time, we have not received any development plans for this property," Rigsby said. "The owner is currently clearing it, but at this time there are no plans. The land is zoned C-2, which would allow for just about any commercial use, including retail, offices, restaurants, banks, hotels, etc. The total parcel size is 120 acres, but the commercial area where the clearing is taking place is around 25 acres.

"The owner is the Vestor Waldron Family Limited Partnership, and it is for sale," Rigsby added. "The town would like to see a continuation of the retail development which has occurred over the last several years along Sam Ridley Parkway. This parcel is at the corner of two major streets within the town and is a prime location for further retail development."

The parkway, indeed, has attracted many shopping centers long after the day La Vergne High School opened off the road in 1988. Much of the parkway development took off when StoneCrest Medical arrived about a decade ago. Since then, many hotels, restaurants, banks, other medical offices and buildings for various professional services, have converged a short-drive from the hospital that's close the the the Interstate 24 interchange.

Many big-box stores also have opened, including a Lowe's, Home Depot, Target and Academy. Kroger and Publix also compete as grocery stores.

Given the retail demand on Sam Ridley Parkway, Smyrna Town Manager Harry Gill Jr. convinced the Town Council to hold off excavation and grading plans to entice white-collar offices to open by the YMCA and Motlow State Community College. Gill said there's been no interest in developing the town's corporate park land for a headquarters or research and development center. He suggested the town hold off the ground work in case a retailer, such as a Costco, wanted the property.

Given holding off of attracting a white-collar office development project, it won't be surprising to see the town competing with the Vestor Waldron Family Limited Partnership land at nearby Sam Ridley and Old Nashville Highway to attract the Smryna's next big-box store.

Red-light camera question

The Murfreesboro City Council decided to renew its red-light camera contract for another year on Thursday. The next day, Jim Burge of Murfreesboro asked this question:

"My research reveals that (among other cities) Houston voters voted out these cameras in 2010; Albuquerque voters did the same in 2011. Question remains: what prevents voters in Murfreesboro from having a referendum on this issue? Is there some state law, which does not allow local voters in a Tennessee municipality to vote on this? How can other cities have this option but it seemingly, has never been offered to citizens here? Appreciate any information you may provide. I suspect that many other locals would like to have the above information also."

Councilman Eddie Smotherman was the lone elected official in Murfreesboro to vote against renewing the red-light camera contract. He suggested that voters ought to be allowed to decide the future of red-light cameras in the future and mentioned how other cities have regjected them overwhelmingly through referendums.

Smotherman was also the councilman who called for the referendum on moving the city's election date from April to August starting in 2016. Voters also overwhelming agreed that the election date should be moved. Of course, Smotherman has also talked about calling for a referendum to establish council districts for four of the six at-large seats on the council.

Who knows how the voters feel about either one of these questions?

We'll see if Smotherman calls for such referendums or if he can persuade enough council members to agree.

Contact Scott Broden at 615-278-5158 or sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Scott Broden.

Indian River audit: Money spent on jewelry, events

Jerry Smith

The News Journal

An audit of the Indian River School District’s finances and of its chief financial officer found the district lacked formal policies and procedures for any of its financial processes the past five years.

The findings were released by the state’s Office of Auditor of Accounts during a Thursday briefing in Dover, and the final report was released simultaneously to the public via the office’s website.

“I am sending a message to Indian River and everyone in the state to be careful about how you manage taxpayer money,” said Delaware’s Auditor of Accounts R. Thomas Wagner Jr. “At the end of the day, if you are the board, it is your responsibility.”

Among the processes questioned were unauthorized use of the board president’s signature stamp to approve transactions, a payroll process controlled entirely by the CFO “that severely lacked documentation and review” and an abundance of in-state meals that did not appear to meet the criteria provided by the state’s Budget and Accounting Manual.

Several employees stated they were forced to share log-in credentials into the state’s accounting system, which is a violation of the state’s computer usage security policies, according to the audit.

Several types of purchases were deemed inappropriate or questionable based on a lack of supporting documentation. Those included a Teacher of the Year ceremony held at Baywood Greens for approximately $7,000, Alex and Ani bracelets totaling $352 for certain district office staff and a Tiffany & Co. bracelet for $380 as a recognition gift to Superintendent Susan Bunting.

In December 2015, the auditor's office received complaints on its fraud hotline about alleged financial misconduct by district CFO Patrick Miller. The audit of the district’s $50 million annual budget began shortly after Miller was placed on leave April 24. Miller later submitted his resignation, effective June 30.

STORY: DuPont to end pension contribution for active employees

STORY: Student breathalyzers anger Smyrna parents

When the audit was launched for the time period of July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2016, district officials did not reveal what led to Miller’s involuntary leave or the state of the audit itself. On Thursday, district grant writer David Maull said comment would be reserved until a Friday morning briefing at the district office in Selbyville.

Wagner said Bunting and the Indian River School District were very cooperative during the investigation.

“They accepted the findings and want to fix the problems in the district,” Wagner said. “Dr. Bunting has asked for our help. I think in a year and a half from now, Indian River will be running smooth and fine. She seriously wants to fix the problems.”

The findings come less than a week before Indian River School District's referendum seeking additional local funding for school security programs, technology, textbooks, student organizations and measures related to enrollment growth.

Wagner waved off any suggestion the timing was political, saying people are going to think what they want.

“The two don’t equate to each other. We just try to put the facts out there in a timely manner,” he said.

In the Nov. 22 referendum, the district is seeking a tax increase of 49 cents per $100 of assessed property value to raise $7.35 million in operating funds.

The district has experienced budget issues because of enrollment growth, including an increase of 296 students from last year, giving the district 10,467 students. Enrollment has grown an average of 3 to 4 percent every year since 2010.

The Indian River School District was formed in 1969 through the consolidation of several smaller districts and now is the fifth-largest district in the state. There are eight elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools and three special service schools over 365-square miles.

Further findings from the audit revealed that Miller made a payment of $20,343 to the Indian River Volunteer Fire company, and another for $32,500 to the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Orchard/Riverdale. The CFO served as board president for both organizations.

The audit also found “the District’s processes centralized around the CFO’s review and approval of financial transactions due to the District’s complete trust in him. This blind trust resulted in the CFO’s work not being reviewed and the complete absence of policies and procedures, amongst other issues discussed in this report. Because of these deficient internal controls, an environment in which employees were intimidated and afraid to speak up or report concerns was created.”

Miller also had been audited in his previous job as business manager of the Brandywine School District. He faced criminal charges as the result of that audit and resolved his legal troubles by entering a no contest plea before Superior Court Judge Carl Goldstein.

Settlement of those charges came after he began his new position with the Indian River School District.

Reach Jerry Smith at jsmith17@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JerrySmithTNJ.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Previous versions of this story had an incorrect former job for Patrick Miller. Before coming to IR, he was business manager in the Brandywine School district.

School board elections: Most incumbents keep seats

Matthew Albright

The News Journal

Like most years, turnout was tiny, and most incumbents kept their seats in school board elections up and down Delaware on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the county Departments of Elections.

There were 24 seats open across 16 school districts, but a third of those never came to a vote because some were uncontested and one saw no candidate file at all.

Almost all incumbents defeated their challengers, if they had any. Only Colonial’s Ronald Pierce lost his re-election bid, getting 93 votes to Margaret Lucille Kennedy’s 140.

Competition was fiercest in the Cape Henlopen School District. Challenger Jose Saez got 1,206 votes – the third-highest tally of any candidate in the state – but fell short of unseating Roni Posner, who brought in 1,330. Jason Bradley, who ran for a different seat on Cape Henlopen’s board, racked up the most votes of any candidate, defeating Gary Wray 1,564 to 679.

Brandywine also saw relatively high turnout, with Kristin Pidgeon defeating Arthur Kirksey 1,000 to 163 and Karen Gordon beating Diana Hanby 995 to 270.

Those contests saw far more voters than most, however. Only seven candidates statewide got more than 500 votes.

The most crowded field was a seat open in Appoquinimink, but Michelle Myers Wall easily surpassed the five other candidates, garnering 609 votes.

School boards set the direction for their districts, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, hiring and firing top school leaders and signing off on major programs like Race to the Top.

They are also the bodies that choose to initiate property tax referendums, asking voters to increase taxes to fund their districts’ operations.

Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2428 or on Twitter @TNJ_malbright.

DELWARE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION RESULTS

Below are the complete but unofficial results for each of the school board elections. The winner’s name is in bold. Unless otherwise noted, those elected will hold their seats for five years.

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

Appoquinimink

AT-LARGE SEAT: Michelle Myers Wall: 609; Tara Greathouse: 97; Debbie Harrington: 216; Ryan Scott: 24; Joanne Christian: 117; William Weller: 26

Brandywine

DISTRICT B: Arthur Kirksey, III: 163; Kristin Pidgeon: 1,000

DISTRICT E: Karen Gordon: 995; Diana Hornung Hanby: 270

Christina

DISTRICT A: George Evans (ran unopposed)

Colonial

DISTRICT B: Ronald Pierce*: 93; Margaret Lucille Kennedy: 140

DISTRICT D: No candidate

Red Clay

DISTRICT B: Martin Wilson Sr.*: 291; Alfred Lance Jr.: 264

DISTRICT G: Catherine Thompson* (ran unopposed)

KENT COUNTY

Caesar Rodney

AT-LARGE SEAT: Bill Bush* (ran unopposed)

Capital

AT-LARGE SEAT: Sharese Paylor: 325; Ralph Taylor: 336; Peter Servon: 74

Lake Forest

AT-LARGE SEAT: (One-year term) Earle Dempsey: 356; Elizabeth Brode: 176

AT-LARGE SEAT: (Three-year term) Austin Auren: 94; Andrea Miller*: 421

Milford

AT-LARGE SEAT: Kent DelRossi: 44; Ronald Evans Jr.: 149; Kristen Yvette Dennehy: 386

Smyrna

AT-LARGE SEAT: Christine B. Malec* (ran unopposed)

SUSSEX COUNTY

Cape Henlopen

AREA B: Jason Bradley: 1,564; Gary Wray: 679

AT-LARGE SEAT: Roni Posner*: 1,330; Jose Saez: 1,206

Indian River

DISTRICT NO. 1: (Two seats) James Hudson: 154; Miguel Pirez-Fabar: 29; James Fritz Jr.*: 140

DISTRICT NO. 2: Shaun Fink* (ran unopposed)

DISTRICT NO. 4: Judith Teoli: 94; Gregory Goldman: 180; Charles Birely*: 410

Laurel

AT-LARGE SEAT: David Brent Nichols*: 288; Kimberly Travis: 168

Seaford

AT-LARGE SEAT: Jeffrey Benson (ran unopposed)

Woodbridge

AT-LARGE SEAT: Walter P.J. Gilefski*: 138; Bernard Carr: 98

* Incumbent

Isnardi targets Children's Services Council of Brevard for elimination

Brevard County Commission Chair Kristine Isnardi is targeting the Children's Services Council of Brevard for elimination.

She has placed on the agenda for Tuesday's County Commission meeting a proposal to repeal the 1990 county ordinance that created the Children's Services Council — in effect, dissolving the council.

Isnardi said she has been working with County Attorney Eden Bentley to craft legislation to repeal the county ordinance that created the council.

The Children's Services Council, however, has received its own legal opinion that runs counter to Bentley's. It contends that, under Florida Statute, there would need to be a voter referendum before the Children's Services Council could be dissolved.

More:Without support of County Commission, tax for Brevard Children's Services Council dies

More:Brevard Children's Services Council seeks tax to help fund programs

Children's Services Council representatives plan to make that argument at Tuesday's County Commission meeting.

The council's mission is to provide funding for children's service in Brevard. But it has no taxing authority.

In harshly worded comments during the County Commission's Jan. 8 meeting, Isnardi called the agency "a board in place since 1990 that's done nothing."

One thing that board did do last year, though, was to seek County Commission approval in July to have a voter referendum on Nov. 6 to establish a special property tax for children's services. But only one of the five county commissioners supported putting that measure on the ballot, so it did not move forward. That commissioner, Jim Barfield, no longer is on the County Commission, as he did not seek re-election in November.

Under the referendum proposal, residents would have seen a special property tax of 25 cents per $1,000 of taxable value in the first year, which would collect $8.4 million. Every year after that, residents would have seen that rate become 33 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, which would collect $11.4 million. The tax would expire, unless renewed, after 12 years.

The tax would amount to up to $66 a year for the typical homeowner.

The money would have gone toward programs that provide services to children from birth to age 3; local child care services; delinquency prevention programs for elementary and middle school students; and services for children with physical, intellectual or emotional challenges.

"I fundamentally and philosophically disagree with this indirect taxation without representation," Isnardi told fellow commissioners at their Jan. 8 meeting. "If people want to donate to charity, they're going to do it on their own, and I don't think they should be forced into that, especially without oversight. This issue really bothers me."

In a written response to Isnardi's criticism, Children's Services Council of Brevard Vice Chair Bunny Finney said that "while the Brevard Children’s Services Council is currently unfunded, a funded CSC would dedicate local tax dollars to care for local children, and be overseen by local experts, advocates and local elected officials. CSCs are designed to place the question of levying a tax directly before the people, and then insulate the funding from the changing preferences of partisan politicians."

Finney contends that Isnardi is mistaken to characterize the system as “taxation without representation.”

"A CSC is, by design, a voter-approved silo of dedicated funds to provide services to children," Finney wrote. Florida "legislators understood that, while it can be hard for local politicians to prioritize spending their limited general revenue tax dollars on services for children, that an informed voting public may recognize the importance and be willing to personally invest."

She said the 10-member council providing oversight includes three local elected officials — a county commissioner, a school board member and a judge — plus the Brevard superintendent of schools and a representative from the local office of the Department of Children and Families. The other five are recommended by the Brevard County Commission, then appointed by the governor.

There currently are 11 independent Children's Services Councils elsewhere in Florida that collect property taxes to fund programs for children.

Finney said that process is "designed specifically to make sure caring for children does not have to compete with funding roads or infrastructure."

Finney said she is disappointed that Isnardi — a former Children's Services Council board member — brought up the issue at the Jan. 8 County Commission meeting without advance notice to the Children's Services Council.

But Isnardi indicated during the meeting that Children's Services Council supporters likely were aware of her views and knew the county attorney's office was seeking documents from the agency.

She said advocates of the Children's Services Council will have the opportunity to comment during the upcoming County Commission meeting. That meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Building C of the Brevard County Government Center in Viera.

Isnardi said she has "no problem saying 'no.' I'm not afraid of the political fallout," including potential criticism, should she run for re-election in 2020.

Isnardi received unanimous County Commission approval on Jan. 8 to waive what's known as "legislative intent," clearing the way to put the item on the agenda for Tuesday's County Commission meeting without a delay for that extra step.

Isnardi and the Children's Services Council have another legal disagreement.

The council at one of its recent meetings was discussing starting a petition initiative to place a proposed tax on the ballot — partly at the recommendation it received in July from some county commissioners. This would bypass the need to get County Commission approval to have such a referendum.

But Isnardi contends that the county charter does not allow a ballot initiative for the collection of taxes.

In her agenda item memo to fellow county commissioners, Isnardi wrote: "If the County Commission allows the CSC to move forward with this taxing initiative, and they were successful, we would have an independent and unelected taxing authority with the power to levy a maximum taxable millage rate with zero voter recourse. Every resident that pays property taxes would see an increase in their homeowners’ taxes, with many not receiving a direct benefit."

3 finalist for tourism chief

Brevard County management has selected three finalists for Space Coast Office of Tourism executive director. They are:

• Edward Caum, Collier County deputy director for tourism and sports marketing in Naples. He is the former tourism manager/public communications specialist at the Pasco County Office of Tourism Development in New Port Richey.

• Peter Cranis, former head of marketing for the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye and former vice president of global consumer and convention marketing for Visit Orlando.

• Susan Phillips, director of tourism promotion and strategic alliances for the St. Johns County Visitors and Convention Bureau in St. Augustine. She is the former director of marketing at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber/Convention and Visitors Bureau in South Carolina.

More:5 candidates under consideration to become Brevard County tourism director

More:Brevard Tourist Development Council overhaul brings five new members to nine-person board

The were among five semifinalists of the position who were interviewed on Monday and Tuesday by Brevard County Manager Frank Abbate and Assistant County Manager for Community Services Jim Liesenfelt.

"We're happy with the three we have," Liesenfelt said.

They were selected from 15 initial applicants for the position.

In an email to members of the advisory Brevard County Tourist Development Council, Liesenfelt said they were "three quality candidates."

The three will be back on Jan. 24 to meet with county commisioners and members of the Tourist Development Council. Those meetings will begin at 1 p.m. in the Florida Room in Building C of the Brevard County Government Center in Viera.

Abbate subsequently will choose a candidate for the job, and will present his choice to the Brevard County Commission for confirmation.

The salary for the new tourism chief will be subject to negotiation, Liesenfelt said.

Whoever is selected will succeed Eric Garvey, who left his county position July 31. Garvey moved to a private-sector job as chief operating officer of the Baugher Hotel Group, a hospitality and real estate development firm founded and operated by Bob Baugher of Cocoa Beach.

Garvey's county salary was $128,546-a-year, and he was the highest-paid county department head.

Since then, Office of Tourism Deputy Director Bonnie King has been serving as the agency's interim executive director. King did not apply for Garvey's job on a permanent basis, because she is scheduled to retire on June 30. She has been with the Office of Tourism since 1987.

The Office of Tourism oversees one of the key drivers of the Brevard County economy. Tourism is a $2.1 billion-a-year industry in Brevard County that is responsible for more than 26,000 jobs. Hotels, restaurants, retail stores and attractions all benefit.

The county's tourism operations are funded by a 5 percent Tourist Development Tax on hotel rooms and other short-term rentals. That tax raised a record $15.58 million in the budget year that ended Sept. 30, and is projected to raise more than $16 million in the current budget year.

Delegation meeting draw big crowd

Tuesday's Brevard County legislative delegation meeting drew an overflow crowd to the City Council chambers at Palm Bay City Hall.

And a change made for this year's meeting by the delegation's chair, Randy Fine of unincorporated south Brevard, may have contributed to the popularity of the event.

Fine changed the annual meeting this year from an afternoon to an evening session, thereby enabling more members of the public who work days to attend.

In all, more than 80 speakers addressed the two state senators and the four state representatives who represent parts of Brevard County on a range of topics — from the environment to the arts. When including the speakers who were there to make public comments on five proposed local laws that were debated, the figure topped 100.

The speakers each got two minutes to speak if they signed up in advance and one minute if they signed up the day of the meeting.

At one point, Rep. Thad Altman of Indialantic complimented Fine for holding the meeting in the evening, so more people could attend.

Fine said the people who had to stand outside the council chambers, and listen to the meeting on a speaker, might not think it's such a great idea. But he added: "This is a great problem to have."

The meeting was supposed to run from 5 to 9 p.m. But, with so many speakers and extensive discussion on two of the proposed local laws, the meeting end time was extended twice, ultimately clocking in at 5 hours and 12 minutes.

Fine presided throughout the meeting — without taking a break.

"It's fantastic," Fine said as the meeting was wrapping up. "So many people have so many thoughts."

More:State funding for lagoon will be regional, not partisan, battle, as Fine's bill gains momentum

More:Brevard's state legislators reject adding party affiliations of municipal candidates to ballot

Tuesday was a jam-packed day for Fine, as he appeared at an event with Gov. Ron DeSantis at 2 p.m. in Boca Raton, at which the governor discussed the state's efforts to support Israel. Fine then drove back to Palm Bay, arriving in time for his 5 p.m. legislative delegation meeting.

On deck to run the next legislative delegation meeting in Sen. Tom Wright of New Smyrna Beach, who was unanimously elected as the next chair of the all-Republican Brevard legislative delegation. The new vice chair will be Rep. Rene Plasencia of Orlando.

Although neither lives in Brevard County, both of their districts includes northern Brevard.

Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY.

His Political Spin column runs Sundays in FLORIDA TODAY.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649

or dberman@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @bydaveberman

Facebook: /dave.berman.54

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