What a difference a year makes

It’s hard to believe it’s been only a year since parents of children in Cape Henlopen’s elementary parents were clamoring for better technology, and accusations about misused high school construction funds were flying during school board election debates. The company running the high school theater program ended its contract, the superintendent stepped down to take a job in New York, and Cape High’s principal left for Maryland.

Beyond that, a football coach was arrested, and in a separate matter, the board learned a nonmandated preschool program was running large deficits.

From headlines to behind-the-scenes issues, Cape Henlopen was caught up in serious problems that dragged down morale. That is the district Superintendent David Robinson stepped into just a year ago, agreeing to stay one year.

Today, elementary students use iPods in their updated classrooms and professional lighting and equipment available at no other high school in the state has been delivered to the theater program.

The preschool program was eliminated as the district adopted a laser-like focus on K-12 education and preparing students for life after graduation.

At Cape High, a new principal, new coach and new theater director got to work, and along with counselors, staff and students, they have set high expectations for respect and for achievement.

In recent interviews, students report discipline is tougher than it used to be, but they welcome it because students feel safer and more prepared to learn.

Perhaps an endorsement of the changes, instead of three candidates in a heated battle for one board seat, this year no one opposed Spencer Brittingham in his re-election bid.

At Robinson’s final school board meeting June 9, the board thanked him for this new sense of purpose. Board member Roni Posner said Robinson’s leadership showed a district can make fundamental change in just one year.

As new Superintendent Kevin Carson takes up the reins this month, he inherits a district on track to be one of the finest places in the state to receive a public education.

Achieving the status as one of the state’s top districts is a tall order, but the citizens and students of Cape Henlopen School District should expect and demand nothing less.