Sen. Tizzy Lockman and Matt Denn observe students.

Brandywine School District Shares Redistricting Plans Proposed by the Redding Consortium

Brent BurdgeEducation, Government, Schools

Next Meeting planned for Monday, Dec 8th at Mt. Pleasant Elementary

The Wilmington area school districts have been holding informational meetings with parents and other interested citizens regarding potential redistricting plans.  At the heart of the discussions has been crafting proposals to address the underperformance of Wilmington schools – especially those serving students in the city.  The Redding Consortium was created in 2019 to examine options for addressing this issue.  It is currently co-chaired by Senator Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman and Matt Denn.  Lockman Denn Visit School

This is a discussion with significant consequences for our community, but it has received very little visibility.  The following meetings have already been held:

Dec. 1   Red Clay School District @ Richardson Park Elementary School

Dec. 4   Christina School District @ Bayard School

Next up aremeetings for the Brandywine School District, Colonial School District & New Castle County Vo-Tech:

Brandywine School District Board of Education Workshop (Hybrid)

Brandywine Board of Education Meeting notice for Workshop on Dec. 8th

 

 

Colonial School District Board of Education Meeting (In-Person with a Virtual Public Comment)

 

New Castle County Vo-Tech-hosted Combined New Castle County School Boards Meeting (Hybrid)

These meetings are a prelude to a Redding Consortium meeting scheduled for December 16th, where a decision between three proposals will be made and this recommendation will be sent to the General Assembly for further consideration and action.

Redding Consortium-Full Body Meeting (December 16th):

  • Date and Time:Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
  • In-Person Meeting Location:Delaware Tech – Orlando George Jr. Campus, West Building (West Conference Center – Second Floor)
  • Address:300 N. Orange St. Wilmington, DE 19801
  • Zoom Link: https://udel.zoom.us/j/93354751917?jst=2
  • Information on the Public Meeting Calendar can be viewed here.

Overview of the Redding Consortium

The Redding Consortium for Educational Equity is a state-appointed advisory body established in 2019 under Delaware House Bill 222. Its primary mandate is to recommend policies and practices to the Governor and General Assembly to improve educational equity and outcomes for Pre-K through grade 12 students in Wilmington and northern New Castle County. A core focus is redistricting the fragmented school boundaries in the area, which currently involve portions of four districts—Brandywine, Colonial, Christina, and Red Clay—serving Wilmington students. This fragmentation has led to long bus rides, resource inequities, and challenges in serving high-needs students, including English learners and low-income families. The consortium’s efforts build on prior failed attempts, such as the 2015 Wilmington Education Improvement Commission (WEIC) plan.

In addition to redistricting, the consortium supports broader initiatives like expanding early childhood education, in-school health services, wraparound programs (e.g., before/after-school and summer supports), teacher premium pay in high-needs schools, and specialized magnet programs in elementary schools. For fiscal year 2025, it allocated a $14.6 million budget, including $3.7 million for pre-K expansion, $5.7 million for health and extended-time services, and $1.6 million specifically for redistricting planning related to the Christina School District.

Redistricting Plans for New Castle County School Districts

The consortium’s redistricting work aims to consolidate districts, reduce socioeconomic segregation, improve access to resources, and shorten commutes for Wilmington students (who are often bused to suburban schools as far as Glasgow High School). An interim plan was approved in May 2024, recommending the removal of Christina School District from serving Wilmington (due to its non-contiguous boundaries and low enrollment from the city—only 41% of potential students opt in). This interim framework outlines boundary shifts, immediate supports for city schools, a public engagement timeline, and policy reforms.

As of November 2025, the consortium has narrowed its options to three models for reshaping northern New Castle County districts. A vote to select one is scheduled for December 16, 2025, followed by drafting a full plan in January 2026, public hearings in February (at least one per affected district, with two in Wilmington), and State Board of Education review from March to May 2026. Implementation, if approved by the General Assembly and Governor via joint resolution, would not occur until 3–5 years later (likely 2028–2030). The models exclude Colonial and Christina from future Wilmington service in most cases, aligning with the “River Plan” supported by Wilmington city officials for geographic proximity and reduced travel times.

Key Redistricting Models Under Consideration

Two-District Option (Brandywine and Red Clay Split)

Splits the City of Wilmington between Brandywine and Red Clay districts (e.g., along Market Street, with Brandywine taking the east and Red Clay the west). Brandywine and Red Clay remain separate; Colonial and Christina serve only suburban areas.

Metropolitan Wilmington District

Merges Brandywine, Red Clay, and Wilmington (including Christina’s four city schools: Bayard, Pritchett, Pulaski, Stubbs) into one new district. Colonial and Christina continue serving suburbs only.

Northern New Castle County Consolidated District

Full merger of all four districts (Brandywine, Christina, Colonial, Red Clay) into one mega-district covering northern New Castle County.

These models must align with 13 stipulations in Delaware Code, including reducing low-income student concentration, enhancing supports for at-risk students, and ensuring cooperation from districts and charters (e.g., data sharing on students, finances, and facilities). The selected model will incorporate community feedback from ongoing town halls, such as the December 4, 2025, Christina Board workshop.

Broader Equity Initiatives Tied to Redistricting

While redistricting is central, the consortium’s plans emphasize holistic supports:

  • Early Learning and Wraparounds: Expanding pre-K slots and funding before/after-school programs.
  • Teacher Incentives: Premium pay for educators in high-needs schools, building on Christina-Wilmington pilots.
  • Specialized Programs: Magnet options in elementaries and better English learner services.
  • Collaborations: Initiatives like Boost ’22–’26 for cross-district graduation improvements and the Wilmington Learning Collaborative for targeted city supports.

Political divisions persist—e.g., between Gov. Meyer’s preference for consolidation and concerns from former Governor (now, Mayor of Wilmington) John Carney’s allies—but the December vote marks a pivotal step after years of delays. For the latest updates, check the consortium’s resources at solutionsfordelawareschools.com.

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