The educator pay committee delayed a vote on a recommendation Monday. (Pexels)

Educator pay committee delays salary vote over budget, timeline

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Plans to recommend how the state will significantly hike salaries of teachers as well as school administrators and nurses stalled Monday night amid concerns about the state budget and the  timeline of raises. The 15-person Public Education Compensation Committee debating the issue was created this year to make recommendations on Delaware educator compensation.  Officials hope raises will both address the …

HB 33 would increase funding for preschool students with special needs. (Unsplash)

Preschool special ed. funding bill draws staffing, money concerns

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A bill that would increase funding for preschool students with disabilities was released by the House Education Committee Wednesday, but not without some concerns.  House Bill 33, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton, would increase funding for those students by revising the current ratio of 12.8 students per education unit to 8.4 students per unit for preschoolers 3 years and …

Two senators suggested school boards should have public comment before each action item. (Unsplash)

Does school board public comment bill go far enough? 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A bill that blew through the House unanimously got some blowback Wednesday in the Senate Education Committee. House Bill 34, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton, chair of the House Education Committee, would require district and charter school boards to hold a public comment period before the board moves on to action items requiring a vote.  It will not require …

All education workers will get a 3% raise, and all school teachers and specialists will get a 9% raise in Gov. John Carney's budget recommendations for next year. (Unsplash)

Carney’s education raises cause stir in compensation committee

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Gov. John Carney’s announcement last week of a 9% pay raise for teachers caused a lot of comment in Monday night’s Public Education Compensation Committee. Also discussed was a proposal to keep teachers in their Delaware jobs by giving them full pension benefits at 25 years of service instead of making them wait until they reach 30 years. Carney said …

HB 39 would pump $20 million into the state's police agencies to help in recruitment efforts. (Unsplash)

Bill to give police $20 million heads to House floor

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A bill authorizing a one-time $20 million fund for Delaware police agencies to use for recruiting passed unanimously Wednesday through the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Wednesday.  In the same meeting, a bill that would create a separate offense for the theft of mail, including packages, from a residence was heard, but the vote outcome was not clear.  …

The House voted for a bill that would tackle excessive noise from motor vehicles. (Jarek Rutz/Delaware LIVE News)

House passes bill to address excessive motor vehicle noise

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A bill that would crack down on excessive motor vehicle noise passed the House Tuesday. Just one legislator, Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro, voted no, but gave no comment. House Bill 35 would require the Department of Safety & Homeland Security to present a report and plan to the General Assembly for a comprehensive motor vehicle noise and abatement program.  The …