Governor Matt Meyer Signs Education Bills, Delivering Universal Free Breakfast, School Board Reform

WILMINGTON - Today, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed nine bills strengthening Delaware school systems and celebrated the signing of another bill that provides universal free breakfast.

"As a former middle-school math teacher, I know firsthand how much it matters that every student feels supported and every educator has the resources they need," said Governor Matt Meyer. "By expanding free meals, strengthening standards for school boards and educators, and making sure our schools are places where all students can thrive, these bills take meaningful steps toward a stronger and fairer education system for every Delaware family."

House Bill 85, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, clarifies that any appointed or elected school board member must complete a background check-handled by the Commissioner of Elections-within 15 days, with criminal records checked by the State Bureau of Identification.

House Bill 91, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams and Sen. Jack Walsh, provides universal free breakfast for all students regardless of income, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

House Bill 97, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, requires that any school employee working directly with students must hold a valid permit or license-either issued by the state's Professional Standards Board or under Title 24-to ensure proper qualifications and supervision.

"Our children are the future of Delaware, and making sure they receive the best possible education is one of the most important jobs we have in Legislative Hall," said Rep. Kim Williams, Chair of the House Education Committee. "This year, we made real progress towards that goal by improving school board governance, making sure only highly qualified educators are leading our classrooms, and ensuring all students have access to free nutritious meals in their schools. I'm grateful for the support of my House and Senate colleagues, including my Senate sponsors, Senator Sturgeon and Senator Walsh. I want to thank Governor Meyer for signing these measures into law, and proud of what we've accomplished for Delaware's children and schools."

Senate Bill 81, sponsored by Sen. Tizzy Lockman and Rep. Kim Williams, removes the deadline that limited which educators or specialists could receive additional years of experience credit when calculating their pay. Now, all qualifying staff can get that credit, regardless of hire date.

"With the right support and opportunities, paraprofessionals can become the strongest future prospects as educators," said Sen. Elizabeth 'Tizzy' Lockman, prime sponsor of SB 81. "They build relationships with students, support teachers in countless ways, and many of them go on to become amazing educators themselves. Their experience and dedication deserve to be fully recognized, no matter when they began their service. By valuing their work and removing unnecessary barriers, we are not only strengthening our classrooms, but also building a stronger pipeline of teachers our students will need for years to come."

Senate Bill 91, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon and Rep. Cyndie Romer, requires schools that receive federal dollars to protect students, faculty, and staff from sex-based discrimination and harassment, ensuring safe and fair environments.

Senate Bill 107, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon and Rep. Kim Williams, adopts the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, making it easier for qualified school psychologists to work across state lines and support students in different districts.

Senate Bill 165, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon and Rep. Kim Williams, launches a pilot of a new evaluation component within the Delaware teacher evaluation system starting in the 2025-26 school year. It will factor in challenges like student absences or mobility when evaluating performance.

"Educators and students thrive when formative and summative assessments are meaningful to them. That's why I sponsored Senate Bill 165 (S) with Rep. Williams," said Sen. Laura Sturgeon, prime sponsor of SB 165 and other education bills signed today. "Teachers are trained in curriculum and assessment, they know their students' strengths and challenges, and they rejoice in seeing their students grow intellectually, so it only makes sense that teachers should have a say in what performance measures are used to assess their own students' improvement over the course of the time that they have them in class."

House Bill 64, sponsored by Rep. Cyndie Romer and Sen. Elizabeth "Tizzy" Lockman, requires school board meetings to offer an option for the public to join and comment remotely-via video or phone-so more people can participate in local discussions, even from home.

"It's not always possible for every parent, teacher, or community member to attend school board meetings in person, but that shouldn't mean their voices go unheard," said Rep. Cyndie Romer, House sponsor of HB 64. "Since the pandemic, we've seen how virtual access has allowed more people to participate in important discussions, including in the General Assembly. HB 64 will bring our school boards in line with other governing bodies and ensure that even if someone can't attend in person, they still have the chance to view and provide input on the decisions that impact our schools and students."

House Bill 77, sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, makes training mandatory for school board members on topics like Delaware's Freedom of Information Act, meeting rules, and ethics-ensuring everyone follows best practices.

"As elected officials, we are accountable to the public, and it's our responsibility to ensure that our proceedings and conduct are transparent, efficient, and fully compliant with the law," said Rep. Eric Morrison, sponsor of HB 77. "The laws governing school boards exist for a reason. Requiring training on these laws ensures board members understand and follow the rules, helping them make decisions that are in the best interest of our schools and communities."

House Bill 83, sponsored by Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton and Sen. Laura Sturgeon, lets school board members attend and vote in meetings remotely for specific reasons, such as illness, a public health emergency, pregnancy/postpartum care, or military service-so boards can stay functional even when members can't be there in person.

"The measures signed into law today are commonsense steps we can take to make sure our school board members are engaged, present, and connected to the communities they serve," said Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, House sponsor of HB 83. "These changes have been a long time in the making, and I hope that they provide residents greater peace of mind that their voices are being heard and their concerns are being addressed."

For any questions or to schedule a one-on-one interview with Governor Meyer, please email [email protected].