Laurel School Board election: Meet the candidates

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Apr 18

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The Laurel School Board election this year is for one at-large seat currently held by President Linda Hitchens. Hitchens is running against Joe Kelley for the seat.

Election information

When: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 10

Where: Laurel High School, 1133 S. Central Ave., Laurel

We sent each candidate a few questions about why they want to be on the school board and what they feel are the important issues in the district.

Why do you want to be on the school board?

I want to continue to serve on the Laurel School Board and help to rebuild what we had prior to the pandemic. To provide checks and balances; to continue what I started 10 years ago; to apply lessons learned over time of service. To be able to give Laurel students and families a district, schools and programs they can be proud of.

What experience do you have that you think would help you on the board?

I am one of 15 family members to graduate from Laurel School District, including my mother in 1936, my two children and myself.

After my children graduated I again became active in the district 14 years ago, serving on the referendum committee for our new schools. After attending board meetings for four years I filed to fill a seat on the board and was fortunate to now close out my second term. I have served as board president for the last nine years. The experience I have is an advantage in serving on a school board. I know our district, our students, our staff and understand what our district is in need of, something you cannot learn overnight.

What do you think are the most important issues in the district?

At this time the most important issue in our district is the social emotional wellness of our students. Our kids, like all kids across Delaware, did not have face to face instruction five days a week for a year and a half. Their social skills have suffered. Their emotional health has suffered. This pandemic has had a far reaching negative impact on them. Many were isolated in their homes during this time. Some were helping their families make ends meet. We have to get them acclimated to being in a routine again, interacting with their peers in a positive manner again, and being a kid again. By addressing their basic social and emotional needs, viewing them first as people, we will be able then to get them access to the high quality education and opportunities they deserve as students.This is an area our district is working on, it's just going to take time. But our district will do it for our students!