Delaware school board elections are May 9 and advocacy groups are urging people to participate in what is usually a low-voter turnout event.
“School board elections are not only important to parents and grandparents; they matter to everyone concerned about the future of our planet,” said Jane Lord, board member of the League of Women Voters of Sussex County.
Political polarization has trickled down to school boards, where they’re tackling school safety, critical race theory, LGBTQ+ issues and funding. They’re dealing with an educational system shattered by COVID-19, which brought with it many lost student learning hours and a bevy of social, behavioral and mental health issues. Then there are the staff shortages.
Lord applauded the candidates for running, but said the strength of democracy depends on voter participation.
“School board elections are grassroots democracy at its best,” she said.
Here’s what you need to know about Sussex County school board elections.
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How to vote
Polls are open in each school district from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, and polling places are listed beneath each school district below. Woodbridge School District will not have an election this year; Jeffrey W. Allen was the only person to file for the at-large seat.
You don’t have to be registered to vote to participate in a Delaware school board election. You must only prove you are 18 or older and live in the school district in which you are voting.
The following are acceptable forms of proof of age and residence, according to the Department of Elections website:
- Delaware driver’s license or ID card
- Work ID card with a photo and home address
- U. S. postal material with street address
- A State of Delaware vehicle registration card
- A recent utility bill
- A rent receipt
- A signed Social Security Card
- A telephone directory listing in a current phone book
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Cape Henlopen
Polling places:
- Cape Henlopen High School, 1250 Kings Hwy., Lewes
- Lewes Fire Hall, 347 Savannah Rd., Lewes
- Mariner Middle School, 16391 Harbeson Rd., Milton
- Rehoboth Elementary School, 500 Stockley St., Rehoboth Beach
District A
Jessica A. Tyndall, 39, Milton
Background: Jessica Tyndall has lived in the Cape Henlopen School District for 13 years and served on the school board for seven. She has three children enrolled in the district. A Democrat, Tyndall oversees human resources at her husband’s web development company, Inclind, Inc. and is an active volunteer in the local MOMS Club.
Issues: Tyndall wants to continue to make communication between the community and the school board a priority, she said. She wants to focus on meeting the educational and emotional needs of students in a post-COVID environment and is also concerned with equity, equality and inclusivity.
Shawn L. Lovenguth, 50, Ellendale
Background: Lovenguth has lived in the Cape Henlopen School District his entire life. One of his children graduated from the district last year, while another attends the high school. Lovenguth is a Democrat.
Issues: Lovenguth’s chief concern is safety and security in schools. He strongly believes there should be either a resource officer or constable in each school.
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Delmar
Polling places:
- 3C USA Church, 38238 Old Stage Road, Delmar
- Delmar High School, 200 N. 8th St., Delmar
At-large seat
Shane Bowden, 42, Delmar
Background: Shane Bowden lives in Delmar, where his two children attend middle and high school in the district, according to his Facebook. He grew up in Delmar and attended school there. Bowden works as a service manager at Hertrich Buick GMC of Seaford, according to his LinkedIn.
Issues: This candidate did not respond to requests from Delaware Online/The News Journal.
Dawn Turner, 54, Laurel
Background: Dawn Turner is currently vice president of the Delmar school board.
Issues: This candidate did not respond to requests from Delaware Online/The News Journal.
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Indian River
Polling places:
- Georgetown Elementary School, 301-A W. Market St., Georgetown
- Millsboro Middle School, 302 E. State St., Millsboro
Legola T. Wright is the only candidate to file for the District 3 seat.
District 2
Leo J. Darmstadter III, 45, Georgetown
Background: Darmstadter is a pharmacist. He has three children enrolled in the district and has coached girls basketball there for five years, he said. A Republican, he previously served one year on the school board.
Issues: Darmstadter said he plans to focus on growing community participation at school board meetings, the enforcement of the student code of conduct and district financial transparency.
Ivan D. Neal, 62, Georgetown
Background: Neal is Democrat who has lived in the district his whole life, he said. His son is a senior at Sussex Central High School. He worked in the Indian River School District for 37 years in various roles, including principal and district office administrator.
Issues: Neal will focus on learning and instruction, school climate and discipline and diversity, equity and inclusion matters, he said.
Michael Bellerose, 54, Millsboro
Background: Bellerose is an Air Force veteran and holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership, according to his League of Women Voters profile.
Issues: This candidate did not respond to requests from Delaware Online/The News Journal.
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Laurel
Polling places:
- Laurel Fire Hall, 205 W. 10th St., Laurel
- Laurel High School, 1133 S. Central Ave., Laurel
At-large seat
Ivy Bonk, Laurel
Background: Ivy Bonk is an educational psychologist and consultant with her company Every Child Whole, according to her Facebook. She has four grandchildren in the district.
Issues: This candidate did not respond to requests from Delaware Online/The News Journal.
Sabrina Isler
Background: Sabrina Isler is currently the vice president of the Laurel School Board.
Issues: This candidate did not respond to requests from Delaware Online/The News Journal.
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Milford
- Benjamin Banneker Elementary School, 449 North St., Milford
- Evelyn I. Morris Early Childhood Center, 8609 3rd St., Lincoln
- Lulu M. Ross Elementary School, 310 Lovers Lane, Milford
- Milford High School, 1019 N. Walnut St., Milford
Victor “Butch” Elzey III was the only candidate to file for District A. Jennifer Massotti was the only candidate to file for District B.
At-large
Danielle W. Deinert, 34, Lincoln
Background: Deinert graduated from the Milford School District and two of her three children are enrolled in district schools. She serves as Parent Teacher Partnership president at Morris Early Childhood Center and serves on the Parent Teacher Partnership at Ross Elementary School.
Deinert has a master’s degree in special education and over 10 years of experience in teaching and administration. She declined to state her political party affiliation. She coaches for the Milford Little League and Girls On The Run, she said.
Issues: Deinert wants to focus on school safety, discipline, bullying, increasing family and community engagement and academic achievement.
Ashlee Connell, Milford
Background: This candidate did not respond to requests from Delaware Online/The News Journal.
Issues: This candidate did not respond to requests from Delaware Online/The News Journal.
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Seaford
Polling places:
- Department of Elections Warehouse, 200 Allen St., Seaford
- Seaford Senior High School, 399 N. Market St. Ext., Seaford
At-large seat
Armore Rice, 65, Seaford
Background: Rice was in the Delaware Army National Guard for 42 years and currently works as a chaplain with the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department, he said. He attended school in Seaford, as did his children and grandchildren. He worked with the district’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corp program and taught as a substitute teacher.
Issues: Rice told Delaware Online/The News Journal that he is passionate about supporting teachers and giving them the freedom to help students who may need an extra push or assistance. He does not think they should be restricted in what they can do.
Stephanie Smith, 52, Seaford
Background: Smith attended school in the Seaford School District and formerly worked as a teacher, school counselor, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Human Resources and Public Information in the district before her retirement in 2021, she said. She also was involved as a parent.
Issues: Smith is concerned about staff shortages and appreciation, educational apathy exacerbated by COVID-19, increased crime and violence in Seaford, parental and student involvement in improving schools and the politicization of education nationwide, she said. In an interview with the American Civil Liberties Union, she said she is against book banning and supports the rights of LGBTQ students and staff.
David Tull
Background: David Tull is currently the president of the Seaford school board.
Issues: This candidate did not respond to requests from Delaware Online/The News Journal.
