Seaford School Board election: Meet the candidates
The Seaford School Board election this year is for one at-large seat currently held by Troy Purnell, who is not seeking reelection.
Election information:
When: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 10
Where: Seaford High School, 399 N. Market St. Ext, Seaford
We sent each candidate a few questions about why they want to be on the school board and what they feel are important issues in the district.
Why do you want to be on the school board?
I wanted to run for school board to try to help our students be provided with the education they need to be successful in life. Too often we hear about “agendas” being pushed in school to our children and I feel we need to focus on how to think and not what to think. The focus of our students should be on the subjects and programs that will help to prepare them for life after graduation. The programs in place should meet the students' needs if their goal is to continue to college, a trade school, or the workforce. Students need to be prepared for life.
What experience do you have that you think would help you on the board?
My background includes over 20 of public safety and health care experience. I hold closely and dearly the importance and value of good education and feel strongly that our children are our future. I grew up in a blue collar family and began working in my family's business at an early age. I realized my calling for service and entered public safety and continued with my service to others in health care. We hear so often that students may not be prepared for the “real world” upon graduation and I feel we need to do more to correct that.
What do you think are the most important issues in the district?
Safety and security of our students and teachers should always be the priority for any school district. Some of the other issues of importance are ensuring that students will have all of the resources they need to succeed. With the restrictions of pandemic seemingly being removed we have to focus on the needs of students in a way we have not in the past. Assessing the effects of the isolation and providing access to students who need more assistance is essential. Keeping class sizes consistent with proper learning and providing programs that are relevant for success.
Why do you want to be on the school board?
I am a product of the Seaford school district. Since I graduated, I’ve remained involved through coaching or my time working in the district. I see this as an opportunity to give our district and our community more of myself. I want Seaford to be the district that the rest of the state strives to be.
Seaford is home. I care about this community. The education system is as significant a factor in a community’s economic development as anything. These are our community’s future employees, business owners, and decision-makers. I want to see Seaford thrive, and I know it to be true that a thriving community begins with a quality education.
What experience do you have that you think would help you on the board?
I held various positions at Delaware Tech during my four-year tenure there. I spent a couple of years as a paraeducator in the district before departing for a career in D.C. I spent a semester working for the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor. I currently work on education issues here at home for the U.S. Senate.
What do you think are the most important issues in the district?
My top three priorities are post-high school readiness, mental health in schools, and staff and faculty recruitment and retention. We need to ensure that every student is given all their options when choosing the career they pursue. We need people in the trades, and we need to celebrate students that choose these fields as much as we celebrate college-bound students. We also need to foster opportunities for students to explore the trades while in school. Suppose our students can leave us with the certifications to be diesel mechanics, electricians, or plumbers. In that case, we are setting them on a trajectory for success.
Second, none of this matters if we don’t have teachers in the right headspace to teach and students ready to learn. We are still in the midst of academic recovery. We are still trying to address learning loss and social-emotional deficits caused by the pandemic. It will be a process, but I’m more than ready to help support the district in this endeavor.
Finally, there is a massive shortage of teachers across the nation, and Delaware is not immune. While I believe that the state needs to do more to help address the issue, I look forward to learning more about the district’s efforts to maintain its workforce. We will continue to work on solutions to ensure that we have the adults to provide the children with the best education possible.
Read about other school board candidates:
Andrew Sharp
Andrew Sharp
Andrew Sharp
Andrew Sharp