Building Stronger School Board Leadership in Delaware
Announcing the 2025 Capacity Grants and Primo Scholars
Delaware is in a moment where strong, informed school board leadership matters. School boards want the tools to lead with clarity and purpose.
At First State Educate, we focus on one thing: helping school board members make better decisions for students. This year’s Capacity Grants and Primo Scholars show what happens when board members choose to go deeper in their learning and service.
“Stronger governance leads to stronger outcomes. These board-designed projects give districts new ways to understand challenges and make decisions that reflect what students and families need most.”
Capacity Grants
Practical tools created by board members, for board members
Each year, FSE supports school board members who want to strengthen how their boards govern. These projects are used in real meetings, shape real decisions, and continue to support communities long after the grant period ends.
The 2025 projects focus on issues families care about most:
• Early literacy and the Science of Reading
• Communication with multilingual families
• Kindergarten readiness
• Student engagement and student voice
Cape Henlopen Board President Alison Meyers added:
“This grant helps our board deepen our understanding of the science of reading and support policies that strengthen early literacy across our district.”
As tools are completed, they will be shared statewide through the Knowledge Hub so every district benefits.
Primo Scholars
Investing in Delaware’s emerging board leaders
Primo Scholars are African American school board members committed to equity, strong governance, and opportunity for every student. Scholars receive coaching, leadership development, and mentorship — and they bring their learning back to their communities.
Powered by Community Partners
Wohlsen Construction is among the sponsors supporting this year’s grants, demonstrating how Delaware businesses can directly strengthen school governance.
“Support from partners like Wohlsen Construction shows what’s possible when the business community leans in,” Keleher said. “We welcome additional partners who want to help build a statewide culture of strong leadership and better results for Delaware students.”
Across the state, board members are choosing to deepen their learning, improve governance, and build tools that help districts move forward. That is how systems change starts — one board, one tool, one strong decision at a time.