Appoquinimink School District
2 Seats Open:
- At-Large
All voters can select two candidates; one for each At Large seat.
Election Day: May 12, 2026
At Large (2 Seats)
Elena Brenner
Why I’m Running for School Board
As a retired teacher with 30 years of classroom experience, I feel I can bring a relevant and often overlooked perspective to the role. Too often board policies seem to ignore the impact on the classroom and the burdens they create for teachers who are already stretched to their limits. I want to examine every policy through a classroom-first lens.
Student Outcomes & Priorities
Currently, there is a nationwide reading proficiency crisis. Students need to have solid literacy skills in order to be successful in their education and their lives. The district must focus its resources and talents to ensure that our students acquire the reading skills necessary to become the most successful in their life pursuits. While we currently lead the state, there is still a lot more work that needs to be done.
Data, Research & Decision-Making
Decisions cannot and should not be made in a vacuum. Without the research and data, there is no way of determining if the board is making the right move. Community input and feedback means that we are pursuing shared goals and objectives. The board should strive to invite and encourage collaboration with all community members, including teachers, parents, and the public.
Working Collaboratively to Serve Students
Having spent 30 years in the classroom, I have had a lot of experience working with students, parents, and colleagues, with whom I did not always agree, in order to reach a shared vision. I believe that listening is crucial to fostering a healthy relationship upon which such collaboration can be achieved. I’ve found that it is also important to remember that everyone wants the same thing - for our students and teachers to have an environment that fosters creativity, cooperation, and achievement.
Sean Brian Connally
(215) 990-7882
Why I’m Running for School Board
Our children are our future, and providing them with a strong educational foundation is essential. As a member of the school board, I am committed to ensuring our curriculum is rigorous enough to prepare students for success after high school, whether they pursue college, entrepreneurship, or the trades. I will work closely with my fellow board members to ensure students have the necessary resources to excel.
Student Outcomes & Priorities
Data, Research & Decision-Making
Nichelle DeWitt
Richard A. Forsten
(302) 584 - 0589
Why I’m Running for School Board
I am a strong believer in the importance of public education and in public service, with 15 years of experience on the board already; I believe my skill set as a practicing attorney provides a lot of knowledge and experience which benefits the board and district; I also have extensive experience on numerous boards and commissions, and so I am experienced and skilled in serving on boards. I also have a deep knowledge of the political process and was the primary author of the Voluntary School Assessment Fee state law, which requires all new homes in New Castle County to pay a school impact fee to the school district to help pay for construction costs of new schools and repairs to existing schools.
Student Outcomes & Priorities
Data, Research & Decision-Making
School boards should make decisions with as much data as reasonably possible, and should make sure that all data is explained and available for public review; school boards should also make sure to hear from parents, teachers, and the community as much as possible and should seek out such input before making decisions. The more viewpoints, the better.
Working Collaboratively to Serve Students
I think anybody who has watched our Board meetings in Appoquinimink over the years will agree that our discussions are professional, calm, and deliberative; there is no shouting, there are no insults, there are no heated arguments about Robert's Rules; we all respect and listen to each other. We don't always agree (no one agrees with their spouse 100% of the time), but we don't let those disagreements impede our work or our working relationship. We recognize that, at bottom, we are all basing our decision on what we believe is in the best interest of our students -- that is our north star -- even if we may disagree in good faith about what the best interest may be in a particular case.
Mark E. Heck
Why I’m Running for School Board
I have served my country and state for over 34 years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Delaware Air National Guard in 2019, served on the Board of Directors of the largest credit union in Delaware for 7 years, and now currently serve as a JROTC instructor at Glasgow High School have given me the unique skill sets to help the Appoquinimink School Board move forward.
Student Outcomes & Priorities
While the Appo School District’s proficiency ratings in ELA and Math are above the State’s averages which they like to highlight in their 2025 annual report, the averages are only about 60% proficient in ELA and only 40% in Math. These are the highs the 40% in Math is in Elementary School which falls to 25% by High School. While we can debate the value of standardized testing, it is the only effective tool currently available to evaluate learning outcomes. I know the Board is currently working with a literacy program with Elementary programs in ELA that shows promise, and hopefully we can make improvements in the Math arena as well.
Data, Research & Decision-Making
My experience in the military, financial institutions, and even my classroom requires the use of data and research to search for root causes, and successful outcomes. You also have to have the ability to identify that the data and research is correct and not biased. When I was the Board lead for the Supervisory Committee for Dover Federal Credit Union, it was my job to take external and internal audit findings, utilize the data and a vast array of reports, to identify and take corrective action ensuring compliance to ensure successful outcomes. During my tenure we raised our rating with the National Credit Union Administration. It is also important to have community input and giving multiple venues available for concerned citizens to voice that input to ensure trust in the process.
Working Collaboratively to Serve Students
I think everyone that selects to become a member of a school board has the best interests of students on their mind. They have to go through an election process, it costs money to run, there is no compensation, and it is a thankless job, that rarely gets celebrated for its successes but often is subjugated to a barrage of attacks for its failures. That in mind, it is important that the members of the board understand that even though we may have differing viewpoints, were all there for one reason and to work together in collaboration to ensure successful outcomes are realized.
Britney Mumford
(302) 359-1196
Why I’m Running for School Board
I want to serve on the Appoquinimink School Board to help ensure strong student outcomes while being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Through my work leading Delaware Kids CAN, I’ve focused on improving math and literacy, supporting educators, and advocating for families, and I want to bring that experience to our local community. School boards play a critical role in setting clear goals, holding systems accountable, and engaging the community. I’m running to help keep our district focused on results, support teachers and families, and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Student Outcomes & Priorities
Over the next four years, our district should focus on improving math and literacy proficiency for all students, with particular attention to closing gaps for student groups that have been historically underserved. These are foundational skills that impact every other subject and long-term success. We should also improve attendance, as chronic absenteeism is closely tied to academic outcomes, and ensure students are on track for success after graduation. At the same time, we need to address the teacher vacancy crisis by strengthening and diversifying the teacher pipeline, so every student has access to a high-quality educator. That means investing in recruitment, retention, and pathways that bring more diverse, well-prepared teachers into our classrooms.
Data, Research & Decision-Making
Board members should use data and research to set clear priorities, evaluate what’s working, and hold the district accountable for results, especially in areas like math and literacy. Decisions should be grounded in evidence, not assumptions, with regular monitoring to ensure strategies are improving outcomes. At the same time, community input is essential for understanding local needs and building trust. Strong governance means combining data, research, and community voice to make informed, transparent decisions that best serve students.
Working Collaboratively to Serve Students
I would approach collaboration with a focus on shared goals and a commitment to respectful, productive dialogue. Different perspectives and lived experiences, when brought together thoughtfully, lead to stronger, more well-rounded policies that better serve all students. While board members may not always agree, we all share responsibility for long-term student outcomes, especially in math, literacy, and overall success. I will listen actively, engage respectfully, and be willing to compromise when it leads to better decisions. Strong collaboration means using our differences as a strength while staying focused on what is best for students.