By: Shawn Coulter
Given the current administration’s rapid defunding of The Department of Education and the heightened politicization of the classroom in recent years, it is more important than ever to be active in local schoolboard elections to ensure that our state’s children receive the best possible education.
What follows is a brief overview of the candidates for the Appoquinimink and Capital school districts in Delaware, where you can compare each candidates’ answers to two important questions relating to the school member position. The questions and each candidate’s answers come from a forum hosted by First State Educate.
Please note that Appoquinimink candidate Brady D. Sieglen did not participate in the forum and is thusly not represented in this blog.
View Appoquinimink Forum Recording
Appoquinimink School District: At-Large Seat
What do you believe are the key roles and responsibilities of a school board member?
Tim Higgins: To “create and implement policies that help provide a safe classroom and conducive learning environment, doing this within a sound budget that reflects the priorities of our school while being good stewards of the community’s resources…being transparent to our parents, our community members, and our teachers. I believe our school board members are best served by being that mediator…”
Dr. Sandhya Celestin-Brown: First for Dr. Celestin-Brown is student advocacy, as “the most important role of a school board member is to serve as a champion of our students”. The second key role is as a community liaison, “[serving] as a bridge between the district and the community, so listening to our families, educators, and community members and bringing their voices to the table”. And finally, being a good steward of public funds, “[ensuring] if elected that those financial resources are used effectively, transparently, and in ways that benefit our student success”.
What are your views on the referendum process as a means for school districts to raise funds for operational and capital expenses?
Tim Higgins: Higgins believes in the power of referendums, noting that more people vote in referendums than in school board elections, but is wary of them as a crutch for budgeting mistakes. He says that “we need to plan not only for what we know we’re going to spend, but realistic expenses that may come in the future”, and says that there are things that could not be done without referendums while also acknowledging that he doesn’t think “there’s anybody in the school district who wants taxpayers’ taxes to go up”.
Dr. Sandhya Celestin-Brown: Dr. Celestin-Brown believes that community-supported referendums have enabled ASD to implement strategic and significant initiatives that have spoken to the many prestigious awards the school has garnered, including 6% local salary increase for teachers, enhanced safety measures, and the implement of new teaching techniques. “These investments demonstrate [that] the impact of aligning funding with strategic educations objectives is just paramount”, and that “ASD exemplifies how targeted funding can support comprehensive educational strategies”.
Learn more about Dr. Sandhya Celestin-Brown
Tim Higgins refused to respond to the ACLU of Delaware's 2025 School Board Candidate Questionnaire.
Capital School District: At-Large Seat 1
What do you believe are the key roles and responsibilities of a school board member?
Donna Johnson Geist: “Being a school board member is not just about attending meetings, reviewing budgets, or … policies. It’s about being a voice for our children, our educators, our capital families, and a steward of our community’s most precious resource: our students.” Geist breaks the role down into three key points: 1) policy development in government and statutory responsibilities; 2) curricular and instructional oversight; 3) financial oversight and transparency.
Mozella Richardson Kamara: The most important responsibilities of a school board member are “representing the voice of the whole community, and making sure that that voice and those needs are reflected in our policies and our practices”, and ensuring that student outcomes are driven by engaged families and cohesive communities that “feel invested in the ownership of educating our children”.
What are your views on the referendum process as a means for school districts to raise funds for operational and capital expenses?
Donna Johnson Geist: Geist believes that DE needs referendum reform. “We can see that from the numerous referendums that have not passed this year…part of the reasons for that is that the public does not see or recognize the wonderful things that are happening”. Geist says that the quality of schools is what drives community in education. “One of the things we haven’t done is a district is we haven’t done a robust school climate or staff satisfaction survey to form a strategic plan…it’s not done every year, it’s not used to form a strategic plan, and it’s highly needed.”
Mozella Richardson Kamara: Kamara likes the referendum process, and feels that “the thing that’s missing is getting the community engaged in ownership.” She worries about those in the community who don’t have children, or who don’t have children in the CSD, and therefore do not want to be responsible to pay for those students with their taxes. She wants the community to see the net-positive of effective education: “Kids who are educated and engaged in positive activities aren’t outside harming others”.
Learn more about Donna Johnson Geist
Learn more about Mozella Richardson Kamara
Capital School District: At-Large Seat 2
What do you believe are the key roles and responsibilities of a school board member?
Jordan Davis: The most important responsibilities of a school board member are to “act in a way that is responsible to the community. It is important for board members to really be…responsible towards [the community], to be truthful and answering questions that they give you”. Davis believes in the moral responsibility of the position and wants members to act with students in mind.
Vickie Pendleton: “The school board is the overseer of the district. The school board will establish policies and advocate for students… When we make a decision, it can’t be what we think, we have to make sure it’s in line with what’s required…in the law.” Pendleton says that, “the motto for me is every student, every day”.
What are your views on the referendum process as a means for school districts to raise funds for operational and capital expenses?
Jordan Davis: Davis says that he “100% supports all referendums in our district.” He has seen the benefits of referendums that have passed as a student. He thinks that it is important to go out and explain to people what’s included in a proposed referendum and what specifically the money is going to go towards, and to update them constantly on the active process and so that people don’t feel like they’re paying more in taxes just for their money to go to waste.
Vickie Pendleton: Pendleton worries about residents who have never had children and who may feel that they do not need to have that additional burden, especially those that are seniors and are on a fixed income. “What happens when we don’t pass them when we need them is it places the district at a disadvantage to the point where [another district] is facing reduction in force.” She feels it is also a notable concern within the community that the funds are used for what they are designated to be used for.
Learn more about Vickie Pendleton
Jordan Davis refused to respond to the ACLU of Delaware's 2025 School Board Candidate Questionnaire.
