Public minutes
January 15, 2025
Capital School District, Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
This text was pulled from the district file by a computer and may have mistakes, especially in tables. The district file is the official version.
Page 1
![Linda's blue logo]()
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Felecia R. Duggins, President
Sean P. M. Christiansen, Vice
President
Dr. Chanda Jackson
Dr. Anthony J. DePrima
Board Members Present: Also Present:
Ms. Duggins Dr. Victoir Cahoon, Interim Superintendent
Mr. Christiansen
Dr. Jackson
Dr. DePrima
1.0 Open Session
On a motion by Mr. Christiansen, seconded by Dr. DePrima, and on a unanimous vote, the board
entered open session at 5:31 p.m.
1.01 Roll Call – Establishment of a Quorum
On a roll call vote of 4/0: Dr. DePrima – present; Dr. Jackson – present; Mr. Christiansen – present; Ms.
Duggins – present, quorum was established.
[Executive session items are not shown.]
1.03 Reconvene Open Session
Ms. Duggins reconvened the meeting at 6:40 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Dr.
DePrima.
1.04 Recognitions
- • Hartly Elementary School was recognized for being named a 2024 Recognition School for Closing
the Achievement Gap.
1.05 Presentations
- • Fairview Elementary School – Dr. Melissa White, Principal, Fairview Elementary School,
presented slides of information regarding Fairview as follows:
- - o Reading data for grades K-4
- - o School-Wide W.I.G. Math data for grades K-4
- - o SBAC Data for ELA and DESSA Social Studies Data
- - o Attendance and enrollment; school climate & culture, student support services
- - o Collaboration/Community Partners
- • Secondary Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment – Mr. Gene Montano and staff presented a
department overview as follow:
- - o Key achievements from the past year
- - o Professional learning initiatives including current projects and initiatives
- - o Use of curricular materials
- - o Department challenges including dropout rates, graduation rates
- - o Department goals for the upcoming year
- - o District specialists as listed below each presented data and curriculum work:
- - - ▪ Jessica Lauver, Secondary ELA Specialist and ML Co-Coordinator
- - - ▪ Andi Winkelblech, Secondary Math Specialist
- - - ▪ Dr. Ryan Fuller, Secondary Social Studies and Science Specialist
- -
- -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
Page 2
-
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - 1.06 Interim Superintendent Update
- - o Dr. Victoir Cahoon, presented the Interim Superintendent Update:
- - - ▪ Expressed thanks to the Capital School District buildings and grounds staff who
did an amazing job of plowing the parking lots and clearing the sidewalks, etc. after
the snow storm
- - - ▪ Noted that the Operations Team met daily to receive updates from Mr. Burke,
Chief Operations Office, Mr. Baustert, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, and
Mrs. Hamm, Supervisor of Transportation, regarding the conditions of the roads,
the buildings, sidewalks and parking lots.
- - - ▪ Also expressed thanks to the Capital School District Community for their patience
and flexibility as the schools were closed for a week following the snow storm.
- - - ▪ Dr. Cahoon shared the meetings and events that he attended since the December
board meeting
1.07 Board President – Member Updates
Dr. DePrima
- • Happy New Year and welcome back.
Dr. Jackson
- • Happy New Year.
Mr. Christiansen
- • Expressed thanks to Dr. Cahoon and staff for meeting and completing the work that allowed
schools to be open after the snow storm.
- • For the City of Dover Home for the Holidays staff reached out to Dover High School coaches to
recruit volunteers to assist with the parade – had 33 students come out and were awarded
volunteer hours, Dover High School band and Dover Middle School band were in the parade.
- • Announced the event Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, will be held on
February 7, 2025 at which time the KCCS students and others with special needs will be invited to
attend. The sponsors are looking for donations through a wish list. If anyone is interested in
donating, please send Mr. Christiansen an email.
- • Shared reminder of the Day of Service lead by Governor Elect Matt Meyer this Sunday, January
19, 2025, at Towne Point Elementary School. Please sign up to volunteer for one of the shifts.
Ms. Duggins
- • Happy New Year and thank you for all you continue to do for Capital students and families.
1.08 Public Comment
Page 3
2.01 Personnel (Resolution No. 25-066)
Approval for Administrative Personnel, Certified Personnel, and Classified Personnel as listed, pending
criminal reference checks and verification of certification as needed.
ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
CERTIFIED PERSONNEL
BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVAL IS RECOMMENDED FOR CERTIFIED PERSONNEL AS
LISTED, PENDING CRIMINAL REFERENCE CHECKS AND VERIFICATION OF
CERTIFICATION.
- I. APPOINTMENTS
- A. New – Regular
- 1. NONE
- B. New – Temporary
- 1. Apana Jessica Occupational Therapist January 20, 2025 DO
- 2. Bahel Aubrey Teacher – Kindergarten January 13, 2025 FV
- 3. Bilotta Theresa Spec Ed Coordinator February 3, 2025 ECC
- 4. Dauscher Anne Teacher – Spec Ed January 13, 2025 East
- 5. Garcia Collado, Raul Teacher – Immersion January 6, 2025 South
- 6. Hooker Karisma Teacher – Math December 16, 2024 MSE
- 7. Mickle Katherine Instruct. Support Teacher February 3, 2025 DHS
- 8. Robinson Alexus Teacher – Kindergarten January 27, 2025 North
- C. Rehire – Regular
- 1. NONE
- D. Rehire – Temporary
- 1. NONE
- E. E.P.E.R.
a. District Employees
- 1. Bekka Megan 21st Century Teacher December 10, 2024 DMS
- 2. Celestin Abdallah Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DHS
- 3. Chandler Shameka Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DHS
- 4. Frazier Geoff Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DHS
- 5. Fuller Ryan Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DO
- 6. Kopp Seth Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DO
- 7. Lauver Jessica Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DO
- 8. Long Mary Jane Book Study – Stipend December 2024 KCSILC
- 9. Natland Victoria Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DMS
- 10. Ridgeway Tarez Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DO
- 11. Watterton Jennifer Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DO
- 12. Wendel Meredith Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DMS
- 13. Winkleblech, Andrea Book Study – Stipend December 2024 DO
b. Non-District Employees
Page 4
- 1. NONE
- II. CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT
Classification/Job Title/Condition of Employment
- A. Classification
- 1. Bates Michele Teacher January 6, 2025 East
From MSI
- 2. Clark Robert Teacher – Driver’s Ed January 29, 2025 DHS
From PE/Health
- 3. Harris Aaron Teacher – PE/Health January 29, 2025 DHS
From Teacher – Spec Ed
- B. Job Title
- 1. NONE
- C. Condition of Employment
- 1. NONE
- III. LEAVES
- A. Leaves - FMLA/STD/Workers Comp
- 1. Beachy Abigail Occupational Therapist December 17, 2024 KCCS
- B. Leaves – Personal
- 1. NONE
- C. Leaves - Military
- 1. NONE
- D. Leaves - Educational
- 1. NONE
- E. Leaves - Sabbatical
- 1. NONE
- F. Leaves - Extension of Leave
- 1. NONE
- G. Return from Leave
- 1. Bordley-Hughes, Shannon LCSW January 6, 2025 East
- 2. Celestin Abdallah Teacher January 6, 2025 DHS
- 3. Cohen Alexis Teacher January 6, 2025 DHS
- 4. Kelly Melinda BCBA January 6, 2025 KCCS
- IV. RESIGNATIONS
- A. Gill Jamie Teacher February 7, 2025 MSE
- B. Gould-Rodriguez Shannon Teacher January 10, 2025 KCCS
- C. Katz Nolan Teacher January 17, 2025 East
- D. Kelly Melinda Teacher January 3, 2024 KCCS
- V. PENSIONS
Disability/Service/Vested
- A. Disability
Page 5
- 1. NONE
- B. Service Pension
- 1. NONE
- C. Vested Pension
- 1. NONE
- VI. EXPIRATION OF CONTRACT/TEMPORARY CONTRACT
- 1. NONE
- VII. NON-RENEWAL/TERMINATION/REDUCTION IN FORCE
1. NONE
CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL
BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVAL IS RECOMMENDED FOR CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL
AS LISTED, PENDING CRIMINAL REFERENCE CHECKS AND VERIFICATION OF
CERTIFICATION.
- I. APPOINTMENTS
- A. New – Regular
- 1. Gardley Troy Custodian – Night Shift January 6, 2025 DMS
- 2. Phifield Irving Bus Driver January 8, 2025 DO
- 3. Gaylord Michael Custodian – Night Shift January 13, 2025 BTW
- 4. Giroso Dominick Float Cook January 6, 2025 WHC
- 5. Harper Jennifer Clerk January 13, 2025 DHS
- 6. Jay Rodriguez Alba Senior Secretary January 13, 2025 KCCS
- B. New – Temporary
- 1. Copes Tiarra Paraprofessional January 13, 2025 DHS
- 2. deVasquez Karen General Worker December 16, 2024 DMS
- 3. Durham Tara Extra Support Para December 17, 2024 KCCS
- 4. Evans Jessie Extra Support Para January 6, 2025 KCCS
- 5. Henry Ashanti Paraprofessional February 3, 2025 DHS
- 6. Little Candice Paraprofessional January 13, 2025 MSI
- 7. Lopez Marguerite Extra Support Para January 6, 2025 KCCS
- 8. Moaney Sharnet General Worker January 6, 2025 North
- 9. Raynor Elizabeth Extra Support Para January 6, 2025 KCCS
- C. Rehire – Regular
- 1. NONE
- D. Rehire – Temporary
- 1. NONE
- E. E.P.E.R.
- - 1. District Employees
- b. Arrington Brandon 21st Century Para December 18, 2024 DHS
- c. Harris Gloria 21st Century Para December 2024 East
- d. Scott Jayden 21st Century Para December 2024 BTW
- e. Vidrine Reagan 21st Century Para December 2024 East
- 2. Non-District Employees
Page 6
- a. Gray Javana 21st Century Para December 2024 DMS
- b. Masseus LeAnna 21st Century Para December 2024 East
- c. Smith Brenda 21st Century Para December 2024 DMS
- d. Yocher Peter Entry Level Tech January 6, 2025 DO/Tech
- II. CHANGE IN ASSIGNMENT
Classification/Job Title/Condition of Employment
- A. Classification
- - 1. Dean Carolyn Bus Aide – 6 hours December 19, 2024 DO
- - 2. Farkas Allyson Reading Para January 27, 2025 East
- - 3. Harris Zelena Para – Full Time December 16, 2024 FV
From 5.5 hours
From Extra Support Para KCCS
From PT Title I Para
- B. Job Title
- 1. NONE
- C. Condition of Employment
- 1. NONE
- III. LEAVES
- - A. Leaves - FMLA/STD/Workers Comp
- 1. Aspinwall Cinthia Child Nutrition December 11, 2024 WHC
- 2. Brittingham Tiffany Child Nutrition December 13, 2024 North
- 3. Day Benjamin Paraprofessional January 14, 2025 DHS
- 4. Deberry Caleb Transportation December 16, 2024 DO
- 5. Heath Dominique Paraprofessional December 6, 2024 WH-SSU
- 6. Monsanto Allannio Paraprofessional January 6, 2025 KCSILC
B. Leaves - Personal
- 1. NONE
C. Leaves - Military
- 1. NONE
- D. Leaves - Educational
- 1. NONE
- E. Leaves - Sabbatical
- 1. NONE
- F. Leaves - Extension of Leave
- 1. NONE
G. Return from Leave
- 1. Cornelius Lawrence Transportation December 16, 2024 DO
- 2. Hutson Lisa Paraprofessional December 18, 2024 KCCS
- 3. Roberson Lori Child Nutrition January 6, 2025 DHS
- 4. Tinger Jonathan Paraprofessional December 11, 2024 KCCS
- IV. RESIGNATIONS
Page 7
- A. Dawson Adrienne Paraprofessional December 20, 2024 East
- B. Johns Dietrich Custodian December 10, 2024 BTW
- C. Naphier Leseana Child Nutrition December 4, 2024 DO
- D. Santiago Jose Paraprofessional December 11, 2024 KCCS
- E. Sheil Alexius Paraprofessional December 4, 2024 KCCS
- V. PENSIONS
Disability/Service/Vested
- A. Disability
- 1. NONE
- B. Service Pension
- 1. Thompson Carole Paraprofessional July 1, 2025 KCCS
- C. Vested Pension
- 1. NONE
- VI. EXPIRATION OF CONTRACT/TEMPORARY CONTRACT
- 1. NONE
- VII. NON-RENEWAL/TERMINATION/REDUCTION IN FORCE
- 1. NONE
2.02 School Choice (Resolution No. 25-067)
School Choice Accept Good Cause 2024-2025 School Year
School Choice Denied Good Cause 2024-2025 School Year
2.03 Financial Reports – November 30, 2024 (Resolution No. 25-059)
Financial Reports for November 30, 2024 were approved.
2.04 Financial Reports – December 30, 2024 (Resolution No. 25-068)
Financial Reports for December 30, 2024 were moved to the Action/Discussion/Information Agenda to
follow Agenda Item 3.08.
2.05 Minutes – Minutes of Executive and Public sessions of regular Board of Education meeting
December 4, 2024 (Resolution No. 25-069)
Minutes of executive and public sessions of regular Board of Education meeting December 4, 2024 were
approved.
2.05 Field Trips (Resolution No. 25-070)
Field Trip for Dover Middle School Seventh Graders to Mt. Vernon, Virginia, on March 6, 2025 was
approved.
2.06 Waiver for Building Use Rentals (Resolution No. 25-071)
None
3.0 Action/Discussion/Information Items (A/D/I)
3.01 Updates Central Campus Renovations
Mr. Mark Johnson presented the updates for BTW and Central Campus renovations as follows:
Page 8
- 1. BTW - Window/ EXT Door Replacement - Asbestos removal completed, demo of existing
windows & lintels completed, window install to start late January.
- 2. Central - Interior Renovations – Asbestos removal has started, demo to begin in Area B for the
new offices late January after asbestos removal is completed on 1st floor.
3.02 Revisions Policy #500-28 Title IX Policy (For Incidents Prior to 8.10.24); Policy #500-29 (For
Incidents after 8.10.24) (Second Reading) (Resolution No. 25-055)
This agenda item was removed from the agenda as of January 13, 2025.
3.03 Revisions Policy #600-10 Grading and Reporting of Student Progress (Second Reading)
(Resolution No. 25-063)
On a motion by Mr. Christiansen, seconded by Dr. Jackson, and on a unanimous vote, the board
suspended the rules according to Board Policy #100-25 to vote after the second reading on Revisions
Policy #600-10 Grading and Reporting of Student Progress
On a motion by Mr Christiansen, seconded by Dr. DePrima, and on a unanimous vote, the board adopted
Revisions Policy #600-10 Grading and Reporting of Student Progress.
3.04 Proposed 2025-2026 School Calendar (First Reading) (Resolution No. 25-072)
On a motion by Mr. Christiansen, seconded by Dr. DePrima, and on a unanimous vote, the board adopted
Resolution No. 24-072 postponing a vote on the proposed 2025-2026 School Calendar for a second
reading at the regular Board of Education meeting on February 19, 2025.
3.05 Proposal for Salary Increase for Kent County Secondary Intensive Learning Center Principal
Position (Resolution No. 25-053)
On a motion by Mr. Christiansen, seconded by Dr. DePrima, and on a unanimous vote, the board tabled
the vote on Resolution No. 25-053.
3.06 Approval of the Proposed Tiered Salary Scale Adjustment for Elementary School Principals
with over 500 Students, effective July 1, 2025 (Resolution 25-064)
On a motion by Mr. Christiansen, seconded by Dr. DePrima, and on a unanimous vote, the board tabled
the vote on Resolution No. 25-053.
3.07 Financial Position Report (Resolution No. 25-073)
On a motion by Mr. Christiansen, seconded by Dr. DePrima, and on a unanimous vote, the board adopted
Resolution No. 25-073 approving the school district financial position report as required under Section
1507, Title 14 Delaware Code, for submission to the Department of Education, January 31, 2025.
3.08 Grade Reconfiguration Updates
Dr. Cahoon discussed the grade reconfiguration presenting an overview of the next steps as follows:
- • Open Central Elementary School - comprised from:
- - o Grades 1 to 5 from East Dover and Fairview Elementary School
- - o Senator Step Up
- • Fairview Elementary School will become Fairview Early Childhood Center:
- - o PreK from Hartly Elementary School and Kent County Community School (KCCS)
- - o PreK & KN from North Dover Elementary School and Fairview Elementary School
- - o PreK & KN KCCS students within Booker T Washington Elementary School
- • East Dover Elementary School will become East Dover Early Childhood Center:
- - o PreK & KN from South Dover Elementary School, Towne Point Elementary School,
Booker T Washington Elementary School, and East Dover Elementary School
- • 4th Grade Students will remain in their current elementary schools to become 5th grade students
Page 9
- • Dover High School will continue its CTE Early Childhood Center “Little Senators”Program
- • Renovations begin at William Henry Campus
3.08 Financial Report – December 31, 2024 (Resolution No. 25-068)
Dr. DePrima requested information regarding ESSER funds listed as spent in the month of December
2024 and Mr. Kuforiji explained that ESSER funds were encumbered and the ESSER funds must be spent
by January 2026.
On a motion by Mr. Christiansen, seconded by Dr. DePrima, and on a unanimous vote, the board adopted
Resolution No. 25-068 approving the Financial Report as of December 31, 2024.
Note: During the Board of Education meeting, Mr. Christiansen requested a resolution number for this
agenda item and the board secretary responded with resolution number 25-073 which followed the
number assigned to Financial Position Report. However, since Financial Report – December 31, 2024 was
assigned a resolution number when the agenda was posted, this same number should be used as stated
above in the motion.
4.0 Adjournment
4.01 Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Christiansen, seconded by Dr. DePrima and on a unanimous vote, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:35 p.m.