Cape Henlopen School District Assistant Superintendent Jenny Nauman started her week on an exciting, albeit unexpected, note April 14, as the school board unanimously chose her to be the district’s new superintendent, effective this July.

Nauman, who’s been with the district since 2008, will be succeeding Superintendent Bob Fulton, who announced his retirement at a board meeting last week, effective Tuesday, July 1. Board President Alison Myers said she expects a smooth transition.

“I feel super honored for this new challenge,” Nauman said. “I was a Milford girl in school, and I always thought Cape was the best place to be. When I got here, I thought, ‘Wow, this place is special.’ My goal is to make it even more special and make it a place where everybody wants to be.”

Nauman had prepared a presentation for the meeting, expecting to discuss the future of the district, unaware that the board had already talked during an executive session before the meeting and planned her promotion. In less than three minutes, the board convened the meeting, appointed Nauman and adjourned.

Nauman went around the room to hug and thank everyone, and the board members gave her their congratulations.

While Nauman said Fulton has left big shoes to fill, she feels very prepared for it.

“Mr. Fulton has given me the opportunity to make a lot of decisions,” she said. “He’s listened to my thoughts, has allowed me to sit at every table to learn what I need to know. [...] He’s brought me along and has done great things in this district. I’m so lucky, because I have a very good foundation to continue to build on to get better. I’m grateful for him, his leadership and his faith in me.”

Fulton said, “I can think of no one more capable or committed to leading this district than Dr. Nauman. Having worked closely with her for the past seven years, I’ve seen firsthand her dedication to our students and their families, her deep understanding of our community and her unwavering commitment to our staff.”

Cape Henlopen Education Association President Christy Wimmer added that Nauman is the clear choice for the next superintendent. Myers and other board members applauded Nauman’s work to achieve the district’s promise and strengthen the district’s relationship with staff unions and community groups.

In her new role, Nauman said she will prioritize community trust, transparency and results.

“Relationships are everything to me,” she said. “I lead with knowing people, talking to people.”

She plans to always put the students first, while also standing behind the teachers and support staff, who she said make the district so great.

“I have loved every minute of being part of the Cape family for the past 17 years, serving in many roles, including as a parent,” she said in a release. “Together, we will ensure Cape Henlopen continues to be a model of excellence for now and in the future. I am truly honored, humbled and excited to take on the role of superintendent of the Cape Henlopen School District.”

Nauman earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in administration from Wilmington University. She has her National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate and received a doctorate in educational leadership from Wilmington University. Nauman was a second- and third-grade teacher, as well as a reading specialist, prior to joining Cape Henlopen School District in 2008.

Her career at Cape began as an assistant principal at Rehoboth Elementary School. For eight years, she was the principal of Richard A. Shields Elementary in Lewes (now Lewes Elementary School). In 2016, she was named the National Distinguished Principal for Delaware.

She has served in the assistant superintendent role at Cape since 2018, and in 2022, she was Delaware’s Assistant Superintendent of the Year.