THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. IT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, SEXUAL

ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, DISABILITY, AGE OR VIETNAM ERA VETERAN’S STATUS IN EMPLOYMENT, OR ITS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION The Townsend Building

401 Federal Street Suite 2

Dover, Delaware 19901-3639

DOE WEBSITE: http://www.doe.k12.de.us

Mark T. Murphy Secretary of Education Voice: (302) 735-4000

FAX: (302) 739-4654

February 10, 2014

Dear Dr. Williams:

Thank you for the commitment you and your team have shown to students in the City of Wilmington

throughout the Priority Schools process. On behalf of the Department of Education, we appreciate the

significant efforts undertaken by you, parents, educators, and school leaders to develop plans to improve

opportunities for City students and take advantage of roughly $3 million the state has made available for

your schools.

As part of the process, the School Plans, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and Collective

Bargaining Agreements were due to the Department of Education on February 4, 2015, for Bancroft

Elementary School, Stubbs Elementary School, and Bayard Middle School. As of the date on this letter,

we have not received those materials, and we understand that the Christina School District School Board

has elected not to submit them.

As a result, according to state and federal regulations, and as discussed previously with you and your

team, the Christina School District must select one of the following options for each of the Priority

Schools: closure or school restructuring, such as hiring a charter or education management organization.

This decision is due to the Department by February 27, 2015. As you are evaluating these options,

the Department will provide further information and answer questions.

We also acknowledge that over the past few months, the Wilmington Education Advisory Group

established by Governor Markell’s Executive Order No. 46 has developed recommendations to improve

educational opportunities for students in the City. The Advisory Group recognized that the Christina

School District is one of the only non-contiguous school districts in the country, which makes it

challenging for City parents, families, and community members to engage in their schools. Thus,

among other things, the Group recommended redrawing district lines such that the District would no

longer serve students in Wilmington – including at the three Priority Schools for which the District is

planning. This proposal appears to have widespread support, including among community leaders and

elected officials who represent the City and surrounding area.

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and other District leaders in advance of the

February 27th deadline to discuss the Advisory Group’s recommendation and the effect that a possible

governance change would have on the planning process for Christina’s Priority Schools moving

forward.

Please do not hesitate to contact Director of Accountability Penny Schwinn with questions:

penny.schwinn@doe.k12.de.us.

Regards,

Mark Murphy

Secretary of Education

Delaware Department of Education

Cc:

Teri Quinn Grey, President of the Delaware State Board of Education

Fred Polaski, President of the Christina School Board