Gov. Jack Markell has signed a bill sponsored by Sen. George Bunting, D-Bethany Beach, reducing the number of New Castle County residents on the State Board of Education and adding an at-large seat. Bunting said the setup of the state school board did not fairly represent the distribution of students in the state.
“Forty-nine percent of students in Delaware are from Kent and Sussex counties,” said Bunting. The population has shifted south, he said, and by former rules, five members of the board could be New Castle County residents.
“The at-large seat gives the possibility of additional representation for Kent or Sussex, or maybe somebody else from New Castle,” said Bunting.
Under the new setup, New Castle County residents will hold at least 60 percent of the positions. The governor will appoint the board president and the member-at-large.
Bunting said he hoped to see Lewes resident and former Cape Henlopen School District Superintendent Jim Wilson appointed to the at-large seat. Bunting said Wilson is an experienced, well-respected educator.
The bill changed the board to consist of one Wilmington resident, two New Castle County residents, one Kent County resident, one Sussex County resident and one at-large member. The former board rules included three New Castle County residents, said Bunting.
Bunting’s legislation was co-sponsored by Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, and Rep. Joe Booth, R-Georgetown. Markell signed the bill June 18.
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