2025 School Board VoteDelaware Questionnaire Responses: Joyce Denman

1. Our country’s history is incomplete without acknowledging the legacy of discrimination and lived experiences of historically marginalized communities. Additionally, Delaware passed a law in 2021 requiring schools to develop and incorporate an African American curriculum for K-12 public schools. Nonetheless, some schools have adopted curricula which fail to teach the full history of the treatment of marginalized communities. Do you commit to adopting curricula which include the perspectives and full histories of all historically marginalized communities?

YES
As time goes by it is more critical to include accurate narrative around the actual history for all people. Leaving out inconvenient truths or circumstances of which we are not proud runs the risk of stifling future progress. Time has a way of dimming the reality of history, so recorded events must be factual and accurate.

2. Book bans in school libraries are misguided attempts to suppress student ability to explore ideas, encounter new perspectives, and learn to think for themselves. These efforts target LGBTQ+ identities and censor discussions about how gender and sexuality impact people’s daily lives under the guise that such topics are not age appropriate. Will you commit to protecting students’ ability to see themselves represented in the books they’re reading?

YES
We will always attempt to provide age appropriate instructional materials.

3. The 2023-2024 School Discipline Improvement Plan (SDIP) emphasizes the need to address the disproportionate discipline of Black students, low-income students, male students, and students with disabilities. Schools listed under SDIP are required to submit corrective plans. How will you work with your district to eliminate excessive, unjust, and exclusionary disciplinary practices?

As a member of the board I will provide oversite to ensure that every child gets due process and that the district code of conduct is enforced.

4. Research shows that the presence of police officers also known as school resource officers (SROs) can lead to disparate discipline for Black and brown students. As a school board member, would you oppose adopting or continuing to implement school safety plans which include the use of SROs?

NO
The challenge here is making sure that the SRO is properly trained around disparate discipline practices and make sure that they understand that the goal is to work with and not against the students.

5. How would you ensure that budgets and other resources are equitably distributed to serve high-needs students (i.e. English language learners, students with disabilities, and students from low-income households) across a school district and that those financial decisions are more transparent?

Equitable use of financial resources can be achieved through collaborative decisions at the building and district level. Ensuring that all stakeholders (recipients of funds) are represented from the initial planning stages to final program evaluations.

6. A December 2023 independent report, commissioned by the State of Delaware as a result of education funding litigation brought by the ACLU, found that public schools across the state are underfunded by at least $600 million dollars and recommended increased per-pupil funding, transparency, and the flexibility to allocate resources. What would you propose to ensure districts close the funding deficit to provide a constitutionally adequate education?

The state needs to recognize that educational excellence and quality instruction (that includes meeting the needs for all students) does not happen by accident. It needs to be planned for and funded appropriately.

7. School Districts such as Red Clay Consolidated and Christina have implemented policies to create a culture in which transgender and gender diverse students feel safe, supported, and fully included by assuring access to the curriculum, social events, clubs, athletic participation, and all other basic curricular and extracurricular activities. Will you commit to adopting or expanding policies in your school district which ensure that LGBTQ+ students are fully included in social events, clubs, athletic participation, and all other basic curricular and extracurricular activities?

YES
I agree there needs to be a safe, supportive and inclusive culture that provides opportunity for all students. I do not believe that people born male should participate in female sports.

8. Immigrant students and their families have the right to access public education without fear of discrimination or intimidation. Will you support a district-wide policy that protects students’ personal information (including immigration status), provides clear guidance on interacting with ICE, and ensures staff, students, and families are aware of relevant state, school, and community resources?

YES
All students living in the United States have the right to attend public schools and be educated alongside their age appropriate peers. This is federal law.

9. When staff, students, and families know what the law says, they are better equipped to protect themselves and the school community. Will you support distributing Know Your Rights resources—specifically related to immigrant and LGTBQ+ protections—in classrooms, offices, school websites and communications, and other easily accessible locations?

YES
I would be in agreement with valid resources being available for all who may need them in the school guidance suite. I am not in favor of providing literature to all by having a large assembly or sending them home in folders or backpacks with all students.

10. Over the past few decades, many immigrants have chosen to make Delaware their home and have become vital members of our schools. Will you ensure that students and families with limited English proficiency have access to translated classroom materials and in-person translators for school meetings and events?

YES
This is already widely in practice, especially for students with an IEP (Individual Education Plan). Current technology makes communication much easier and all frontline staff should be trained to use these communication tools.