School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Colonial School District – February 10, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Colonial School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: REGULAR SESSION - Feb 10 2026
• Meeting Date: 2026-02-10
• City: New Castle
• County: New Castle
• State: delaware
• Meeting Source URL: https://colonialschooldistrict-org.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=469
• Meeting Listing URL: https://colonialschooldistrict-org.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/
• Public Body Website: https://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/board-of-education
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwn6z9IPhzSu0qjZKzcXUHw/streams
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwn6z9IPhzSu0qjZKzcXUHw

What Community Members Should Know

The Colonial School District Board of Education's February 10, 2026 regular meeting combined routine governance with several significant district decisions, including formal approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget, adoption of the 2026-2027 Board meeting calendar, and updates on school safety, strategic planning, and major capital projects.

The meeting also highlighted the district's continuing emphasis on "The Power of WE," recognizing students, teachers, and community partners whose work reflects district priorities. Student leadership, career-connected learning, teacher professional development, arts, music, esports, and therapeutic support programs all received recognition, reinforcing the district's focus on student opportunity beyond traditional classroom instruction.

Operationally, the Board reviewed finance reports, school choice data, construction planning documents for the new Leach School and William Penn facilities, personnel actions, and quarterly safety reporting. The FY2026 budget received unanimous approval after presentation by the district's Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

Residents should also note that strategic planning work continues, several statewide education policy proposals are being monitored through the Delaware School Boards Association, and future safety updates and strategic planning recommendations are expected later in spring 2026.

Major Discussion and Action Items

FY2026 Operating Budget Approval

The Board's most significant action was unanimous approval of the district's final FY2026 budget covering July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Chief Operating and Financial Officer Emily Falcon presented the final spending plan for Board review before formal adoption.

Supporting financial documents included budget variance reports through December 2025 and a district financial position report. Although the extracted packet references detailed budget documents, it does not provide readable line-item appropriations or total expenditure amounts. The adopted budget establishes the district's financial plan for operations during the remainder of the fiscal year.

School Safety and Security Update

District administration presented the fifth quarterly Safety and Security Update, continuing a commitment made after the October 2024 Colonial Safety and Security Summit.

The recurring reports are intended to keep the community informed about safety initiatives and progress. Administration indicated that the next quarterly update will be presented during the May 2026 Board meeting, demonstrating an ongoing reporting schedule rather than a one-time initiative.

Board Meeting Calendar for 2026-2027

The Board unanimously approved its regular meeting schedule for the 2026-2027 school year.

During the meeting, members amended the proposal by moving the May 2026 Board meeting from May 12 to May 5 before approving the calendar. The adopted schedule continues the practice of holding most meetings at 7:00 p.m., primarily in the William Penn High School Innovation Center, with summer meetings at the district administration building and flexibility for alternate locations if needed.

Capital Construction and Facilities Planning

The consent agenda included numerous documents related to ongoing facilities work.

These included:

• Electrical bid documents for the new Leach School.
• Water line coordination with Veolia.
• Civil planning documents for the William Penn campus.
• Mechanical, electrical, and schematic design work for a William Penn Field House project.

While detailed construction costs were not readable in the extracted text, the materials indicate continued planning and design work on significant capital improvement projects.

Student Achievement and Community Recognition

A substantial portion of the meeting celebrated students, educators, and community partners.

Highlights included:

• Student Board Representative Mia Castaneda-Ocampo's report on academics, athletics, and student activities.
• Recognition of William Penn teacher Ryan Salandria for expanding authentic work-based learning opportunities in Digital Media.
• Recognition of three teachers completing the Delaware Teachers Institute professional development program.
• Recognition of student holiday card artists.
• Celebration of All-State Chorus honorees.
• Recognition of the William Penn Esports team as 2025 Delaware state champions.
• Tribute to Duke Ellington of Delaware, a therapeutic support dog whose work benefited Colonial schools and other community organizations.

Strategic Planning

Board members reported that the district's strategic planning committee has begun refining district goals and moving into more detailed implementation planning.

A February 11 meeting was scheduled to continue refining focus areas, with a comprehensive presentation anticipated for the full Board during March.

School Choice Administration

Consent agenda education items included administrative approval of Good Cause school choice requests and results from the 2026-2027 Choice Lottery.

The packet identifies nine Good Cause approvals between January 12 and February 5, 2026, primarily related to changes of residence and similar circumstances.

Statewide Education Policy Updates

Board representatives summarized recent Delaware School Boards Association and Chief School Officers Association discussions.

Topics included:

• Proposed dedicated technology staffing funding.
• Potential authority for differing residential and commercial school tax rates.
• Paid leave flexibility for adoptive parents.
• Review of Title IX legislation.
• Discussion of the Governor's recommended education budget.

Financial Matters

The Board unanimously approved the district's FY2026 final operating budget.

Financial oversight materials reviewed included:

• Budget variance reports through December 31, 2025.
• Revenue and expenditure summaries.
• Property tax receipt summaries.
• A district financial position report.

Operations and finance consent items also included:

• An extension involving produce purchasing from Fifer Orchards.
• Construction-related documents associated with the new Leach School.
• Utility coordination involving Veolia.
• Planning documents supporting William Penn campus improvements and field house development.

Although numerous financial reports were included in the packet, the readable extraction does not contain reliable dollar amounts for contracts, budget totals, or individual project costs, so those figures cannot be reported from the available evidence.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The Board adopted the FY2026 operating budget and approved the 2026-2027 Board meeting calendar.

Governance updates also included discussion of statewide legislative proposals affecting public education, including potential changes to education funding, school taxation authority, and employee leave provisions for adoptive parents.

The district also continues implementing governance commitments arising from its safety summit through regularly scheduled public safety reports.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

Major informational reports included:

• Student Board Representative updates on academics, athletics, and student life.
• Delaware School Boards Association legislative activity.
• Chief School Officers Association updates.
• Strategic planning progress.
• Quarterly safety and security reporting.
• Financial condition and budget monitoring reports.
• School choice administration updates.
• Major capital construction planning updates.

These reports collectively provided the Board with information on educational performance, statewide policy developments, operational readiness, financial management, and long-range planning.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

The consent agenda included the district's January personnel report covering routine staffing actions.

Personnel activity included:

• Hiring teachers, paraeducators, custodians, transportation staff, and support personnel.
• Staff reassignments.
• Promotions and administrative transfers.
• Resignations and retirements.
• Volunteer coach confirmations.
• Routine employment actions through the district's personnel process.

The Board also recognized educators whose work extended student learning through professional development and career-connected educational opportunities.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Facility planning remains an active district priority.

Current operational work includes:

• Construction planning for the new Leach School.
• Utility coordination with Veolia.
• Electrical bid activity.
• William Penn campus civil planning.
• Field House schematic design for electrical, mechanical, and construction systems.

These projects indicate continued investment in district infrastructure while strategic planning and capital review activities continue.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

Residents were invited to provide public comment during the meeting, with individual speakers allotted up to three minutes.

Community members also had the option of participating virtually by registering through the Board of Education section of the district website.

Future opportunities for public engagement include:

• Strategic planning presentations expected in March.
• Continued quarterly safety reporting beginning again in May 2026.
• Regular monthly Board meetings during the approved meeting calendar.

Community Impact

Students benefit from continued investment in safety, facilities planning, extracurricular recognition, work-based learning, and strategic planning focused on improving outcomes.

Families receive continuing transparency through quarterly safety reports, school choice administration, public Board meetings, and strategic planning updates.

Employees are affected by the adopted operating budget, routine personnel actions, statewide legislative developments, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Taxpayers benefit from continued public review of financial reports, formal budget adoption, and oversight of major capital projects before implementation.

Community organizations continue partnering with district programs, particularly through career-connected learning opportunities and therapeutic support initiatives highlighted during the meeting.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• What are the largest spending priorities within the adopted FY2026 budget?
• How will progress on strategic planning goals be measured during 2026?
• What major milestones remain for the Leach School construction project?
• When will construction begin on the William Penn Field House improvements?
• What new initiatives are included in the district's quarterly safety program?
• How are school choice applications affecting enrollment across district schools?
• What measurable outcomes are expected from current capital improvement projects?
• How will proposed statewide legislation affect Colonial School District finances?
• What additional career-connected learning partnerships are planned for students?
• What updates should residents expect during the May 2026 safety presentation?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• February 10, 2026: Board approved the FY2026 budget and 2026-2027 meeting calendar.
• February 11, 2026: Strategic planning work session scheduled to refine implementation priorities.
• February 12, 2026: Redding Consortium meeting scheduled.
• March 2026: Strategic planning recommendations expected to be presented to the full Board.
• May 2026: Next quarterly Safety and Security Update planned.
• 2026-2027 School Year: Newly approved Board meeting calendar will govern regular meetings.

Key Takeaways

• The Board unanimously approved the FY2026 operating budget.
• The 2026-2027 Board meeting calendar was adopted.
• The May 2026 Board meeting date was moved from May 12 to May 5.
• Quarterly public safety reporting continues following the 2024 Safety Summit.
• Strategic planning work is moving into implementation planning.
• Multiple capital projects remain under active planning.
• Student achievement, teacher excellence, and community partnerships were major themes.
• School choice and enrollment updates were reviewed.
• Routine financial oversight and personnel actions were approved through the consent agenda.
• The district continues monitoring significant statewide education legislation.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://colonialschooldistrict-org.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=469
• Meeting listing: https://colonialschooldistrict-org.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/
• Public body website: https://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/board-of-education
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwn6z9IPhzSu0qjZKzcXUHw/streams
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwn6z9IPhzSu0qjZKzcXUHw

About the Public Body

• Name: Colonial School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: New Castle, delaware
• County: New Castle
• Provider: diligent

Keywords

Colonial School District, Colonial Nation, Board of Education, Regular Session, February 10 2026, FY2026 budget, school safety, security update, strategic planning, William Penn High School, Leach School, Field House, capital construction, Delaware School Boards Association, Chief School Officers Association, school choice, Good Cause Choice, Choice Lottery, personnel, transportation, facilities, esports, Delaware Teacher Institute, student recognition, New Castle, Delaware, public education, governance, operations