Superintendents testified to the House Education Committee Wednesday. (Pexels)

Superintendents get their way with days-off bill amendment

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Seven of the state’s 19 school district superintendents testified in opposition to a bill that would allow teachers to take personal days without approval.  Senate Bill 61, sponsored by Laura Sturgeon, D-Hockessin and the education committee chair, would allow teachers and other school employees to use five sick days each year to take off for personal reasons, an increase from …

The state wants more mentors in schools. (Unsplash)

School mentors: Who they are, what they do may surprise you

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Two months ago, fifth-grader Jeraniah Jackson joined the 150 students in Cape Henlopen School District’s mentoring program.   She had been disrespectful of teachers and generally not nice to people around her when someone suggested she consider the program. “It’s definitely helped,” said Jackson, who attends H.O. Brittingham Elementary in Milton. “I talk to my mentor about things that happen in …

SB 61 would increase the number of personal sick days for teachers and other school employees from 3 to 5. (Pexels)

Education leaders fight bills adding days off for teachers

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Bills that would expand the reasons and days for teachers to take days off from work divided legislators and public commenters in the Senate Education Committee Wednesday. Senate Bill 60, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Hockessin, who is chair of the committee, would give teachers and other school employees the same protection to be absent without a loss of pay …

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 …

(Rodnae Productions photo from Pexels)

JFC: Department of Correction focuses on hiring more officers

Staff WriterGovernment, Headlines

S Staff retention in Delaware’s prison system was an important issue at Wednesday’s Joint Finance Committee budget hearing. Monroe Hudson, the commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction, told Sen. Laura Sturgeon, a Democrat who represents the Greenville area, that he thinks the department has made progress since 2017. It now has 2,647 full-time employees, the most since at least …