Delaware School Board Leaders Step Up Through 2025 Capacity Grants
Across Delaware, school board governance is emerging as one of the most important levers for improving student outcomes, and this year’s cohort of Capacity Grant recipients and Primo Scholars is a powerful example of that momentum. Today, we’re proud to introduce the Delaware board members who are choosing to learn more, build new skills, and lead with clarity at a moment when students need strong, steady leadership more than ever.
These leaders didn’t step forward looking for recognition. They stepped forward because they want their boards to be better: more informed, more aligned, and more focused on what matters for kids.
Why This Year’s Applicants Stood Out
When reviewing applications, one theme rose above the rest: a genuine desire to strengthen governance. Delaware school boards asked for tools, questions, and frameworks that help them govern at the right altitude, not in the weeds, not on autopilot, but with purpose.
This year’s Capacity Grants fund board-designed tools that support real, day-to-day decision-making. Projects include:
Literacy governance principles
Crisis communication protocols
Kindergarten readiness frameworks
Student engagement guidelines
Approaches for multilingual family communication
These are not theoretical exercises. They are practical resources that help boards shift from intention to aligned action: the kind of change that shows up in classrooms, in community trust, and in student experiences.
Honoring the 2025 Primo Scholars
Alongside the Capacity Grants, we are thrilled to welcome this year’s Primo Scholars — a cohort of Delaware school board members committed to sharpening their leadership and supporting peers across the state.
The Primo Scholars program is designed to deepen representative leadership, build governance expertise, and create space for board members to grow in community with one another. These leaders remind us what it looks like to govern with purpose: learning in public, asking hard questions, making space for diverse voices, and putting students at the center of every decision.
A Statewide Movement Toward Better Governance
Delaware is fortunate to have school board members who are willing to do the work, not in isolation, but in partnership with families, educators, and one another.
This year, we’re especially grateful to our colleagues at the Delaware School Boards Association (DSBA) for encouraging their membership to apply. Their commitment to strengthening governance statewide continues to create real opportunities for Delaware’s districts.
And for the boards that didn’t participate this round: there will be more opportunities ahead. Our goal is for every board in Delaware to feel supported, equipped, and empowered to govern well.
Because when boards lead with insight, discipline, and courage, students feel the difference.
The Momentum Is Real — And It’s Growing
The energy behind this year’s applications sends a clear message: Delaware communities want school boards that are prepared, aligned, and ready to lead. Whether focusing on early literacy, kindergarten readiness, multilingual family engagement, or strengthening student voice, these projects show what is possible when boards choose to engage deeply.
The 2025 Capacity Grant recipients and Primo Scholars are showing what strong public education leadership can look like, grounded in humility, driven by purpose, and centered on students.
Join the Movement
If you’re inspired by this work, we invite you to:
Join the FSE Knowledge Hub to stay connected to tools, resources, and future opportunities.
Share this blog post with others who care about strong Delaware school boards.
Reach out if your board wants support or plans to apply in the next round.
Delaware’s students deserve thoughtful, courageous leadership, and it’s encouraging to see so many stepping forward to make that happen.
