First State Educate

Advisory Board

Bringing current and former school board members and leaders together to strengthen FSE’s work and advance effective school board governance across Delaware.

Built With School Boards, For School Boards

Strengthening governance through expertise

The FSE Advisory Board brings current and former school board members and education leaders directly into the work of strengthening school board governance across Delaware.

Members help FSE identify emerging needs, strengthen resources and professional learning, and provide practical insight as new initiatives are developed. Their experience helps ensure FSE’s work reflects the real decisions, responsibilities, and challenges school board leaders face.

By connecting practitioner expertise with FSE’s research, tools, and programs, the Advisory Board helps build stronger support for effective governance, informed leadership, and better decision-making on behalf of students and communities.

FSE Advisory Board’s Initial Areas of Focus

School Board Learning & Development

Strengthening the FSE Knowledge Hub and professional learning

Literacy

Supporting boards in advancing district literacy goals

School Funding

Helping boards navigate Delaware’s new hybrid funding formula

Education & the Workforce

Strengthening connections among schools, employers, and communities

Meet The Advisory Board

  • Jeff Allen

    Jeff Allen

    Vice President, Woodbridge School Board

  • Dr. Jeffrey T. Benson Jr.

    Dr. Jeffrey T. Benson Jr.

    President, Seaford School Board

  • Earle Dempsey

    Earle Dempsey

    Retired President, Lake Forest School Board

  • Carlos Dipres

    Carlos Dipres

    Colonial School Board

  • Donna Johnson Geist

    Donna Johnson Geist

    Capital School Board

  • Jose Matthews

    Jose Matthews

    Red Clay School Board

  • Patricia Maul

    Patricia Maul

    Cape Henlopen School Board

  • Britney Mumford

    Britney Mumford

    Appoquinimink School Board

  • Dr. Alison Myers

    Dr. Alison Myers

    President, Cape Henlopen School Board

  • Keeley M. Powell, Ed.D.

    Keeley M. Powell, Ed.D.

    Retired President, Christina School Board

  • Beth Twardus

    Beth Twardus

    President, Red Clay School Board

  • Marcus Wright

    Marcus Wright

    Seaford School Board

Continuing to Strengthen the Work

The Advisory Board is one way FSE is building practitioner expertise directly into its work. As priorities evolve, FSE will continue creating opportunities to engage school board members, educators, families, students, employers, and community leaders so our resources and initiatives remain relevant, practical, and responsive to Delaware’s public schools.