Fulton named Cape Henlopen superintendent

Cape school board said goodbyes to its longest-standing member while welcoming a new district leader in what could be billed a changing of the guard at the June 28 school board meeting.

The board voted 6-1 to promote Robert Fulton July 31 following Superintendent Kevin Carson's last day July 29. Board member Noble Prettyman was the sole dissenter with his vote in opposition.

Speaking after the meeting, Prettyman declined to elaborate about why he opposed Fulton's promotion to superintendent.

"It's a personnel issue," he said. "I will go along with it and do my job."

Fulton currently holds the positions of assistant superintendent and human resources director for the district. He started as a special education teacher for the Cape district in 1990 and worked his way up through principal, supervisor of curriculum, director of secondary education, human resources director and assistant superintendent over the past 18 years.

Fulton has lived in the Cape district for 22 years. His three children and two stepchildren all attend Cape schools.

He graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and earned his master's degree in educational leadership from Wilmington University in 1997. Fulton currently earns $128,963 a year as assistant superintendent and head of human resources. As superintendent, he will have a three-year contract making about $150,000 a year.

"I really am deeply appreciative of the opportunity given to me," he said after receiving board approval. "I'm extremely proud of what we have accomplished and I look forward to continuing the relationship with everyone in the district."

During the meeting, Fulton took a few moments to thank Camilla Conlon for her 15 years of service on the school board.

"Words can't express how lucky we've been to have you," the future Cape Superintendent said during a ceremony celebrating Conlon's tenure.

"You never waivered to us in area D," said Gayle Fitzgerald, one of several friends and family who attended Conlon's final meeting as an elected official. "Your stand was always the best for Cape kids."

Fitzgerald, Clare MacDonald and Susan Schrank showed up with a flashing thank you sign to honor Conlon, and there were plenty of cupcakes and cake to give her a sweet goodbye.

Board member Spencer Brittingham said Conlon was the senior board member they all looked to for advice. He recalled debating whether to run against her when he first decided to file for school board. He decided against it.

"I ran in 2006 so I wouldn't have to run against Camilla," he said.

Jennifer Burton, who will replace Conlon as the area D school board representative, thanked Conlon for her patience and help over the years and during Burton's recent election win.

"I'm very honored to be replacing you," Burton said, her voice cracking. "My hope is that I can make an impact like you have."

Burton will be sworn in at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 5, in the Beacon Middle School cafeteria.

Conlon was touched by the show of support as she thanked everyone for their good wishes.

"I'm completely overwhelmed," she said. "I'm extremely proud of what we have accomplished."

As a parting gift, the district gave Conlon a sturdy, wood rocking chair imprinted with the district logo. The board also let Conlon keep her district-issued iPad as a parting gift.

Trying out her rocking chair for the first time while holding her iPad, Conlon joked about what she'll be doing with her newly-found free time.

"Jenny, guess where I'll be next Thursday," she quipped to her successor.