Senate Republicans said in a statement that federal tax policy is not to blame for Delaware’s woes.

“What’s hurting Delaware isn’t federal reform, it’s runaway spending and misguided state policy,” they wrote. “When government tries to provide everything, it replaces opportunity with dependency. Real progress doesn’t come from bureaucracy, it comes from empowering people to work, create, and build a better life for their families.”

The financial impact of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ on state programs

According to the Delaware Healthcare Association, this summer’s massive tax bill will cut $4 billion in funding to the First State over the next 10 years. The bill’s new work requirements for Medicaid recipients aged 19-64 who are covered through the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion could result in over 50,000 Delawareans losing their Medicaid coverage and more than 30,000 becoming uninsured.

The new law also makes the largest cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in U.S. history. For the first time, older Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 and parents without children under age 14 who don’t have a work-limiting disability will be subject to work requirements. While the federal government previously paid for 50% of the administrative costs, the federal share will drop to 25% beginning in October 2026.

Delaware distributes more than $20 million in monthly SNAP food benefits to about 60,000 Delaware households. But SNAP recipients will be forced to survive without food assistance next month, due to the government shutdown.

“Households who were approved for food benefits on or after Oct. 17, 2025, will receive benefits for October,” a spokesperson for the Delaware Division of Social Services said in a statement. “However, further benefits will be on hold until the federal government re-opens and funds are approved by Congress for distribution to states.”

Delaware Democratic Congresswoman Sarah McBride said the lack of funding for food assistance is a choice by the Trump administration.

“They have chosen to call these programs ‘Democrat programs,’ and they believe that they are punishing people who they presume didn’t vote for them in the last election,” she said. “That’s no way to govern a country and it’s no way to serve constituents.”

Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester, along with dozens of other Democratic senators, sent a letter Thursday to Brooke Rollins, secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, asking her to use legal authority to release November’s food stamp funding. The senators pointed to her legal ability to use contingency funding to pay out benefits. The administration has already used its discretion to transfer money to the federal supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, known as WIC.

“Any halt in SNAP funding will have devastating impacts for program beneficiaries, increasing food insecurity and undermining family budgets,” they wrote. “Given the critical importance of SNAP benefits, the USDA must take all steps possible to ensure that families do not go hungry.”

The Christina School District said in a statement that the accident happened during a routine evacuation drill.

The school spokesperson also said that there were a few minor injuries to students, but no one required hospitalization. Most have returned to class.

Video from Chopper 6 showed two school buses, marked as Academia Antonia Alonso, and several police vehicles stopped at the scene.

The emergency exit door on one of the buses appeared to be damaged.

“We’re working closely with the authorities as they investigate, and doing everything we can to support our staff, students, and families through this challenging time. Keeping everyone safe and cared for is our top priority, and we’re here to provide the help and resources that affected students or staff may need,” the district said, adding, “Our thoughts are with the driver and their family during this difficult time.”

Delaware state police are investigating.

The more Patty Maull thought about running for a seat on her school board, the more she realized it was the right thing to do. It was her chance to stand up and lead the push for better Cape Henlopen schools, much as she’d always advocated for her daughters’ education.

She sensed she could win, but in those early days she wondered: How does a hair stylist from Rehoboth learn what it takes to be a school board member? Where can a passionate parent go for a crash course in endlessly complex school systems?

“There were so many times I was like, ‘Oh, what am I doing?’” Maull said. “I felt like it was crazy to run.”

She found answers to those initial questions she had – and new ones that she didn’t even know she had – with First State Educate, which has been supporting aspiring school board candidates through the process since 2020. 

“They were always available to answer my questions, which was such a huge help,” said Maull, who would go on to beat out two rivals in her race for the Cape Henlopen board in May 2025. 

First State Educate’s strong conviction underlies their mission: That Delaware’s students deserve the best leaders, and that those leaders achieve the best outcomes when they are prepared, confident and committed.

“We’re empowering the community and building systems and processes where they can stand up and be part of the movement to make Delaware public schools some of the best in the nation,” said Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate. “We’re just facilitating success.”

From 2023 to 2025, First State Educate trained or supported nearly a third of Delaware’s school board members, in 16 of the state’s 19 districts. 

“In a way, we’re working to bring the public back into public education,” added Yvonne Johnson, a school board consultant for First State Educate.

And the public has a standing invitation to share in First State Educate’s resources, whether they’re running for a seat or not. Online discussion groups that are part of First State Educate’s “Knowledge Hub” let parents and community members stay abreast of such hot button issues as school taxes and safety.

It’s designed to keep Delawareans informed about their schools – but also to inspire deeper engagement and action.

“We encourage anyone who is considering running for their school board to take that chance,” Keleher said. “Just raise your hand, and we will be there to support you.”

Inside the Knowledge Hub, aspiring candidates can take online courses that give them a solid grounding in the complex world of school budgets to financial audits. There’s an entire section devoted to “onboarding” newly elected board members, smoothing their post-election transition, and giving them a boost of confidence and some critical knowledge.

“Working with First State Educate has allowed me to cut the learning curve substantially,” said recently elected Brandywine school board member Brian Jordan. “That’s important, because the community has invested its trust and tax dollars to our care.”

The learning doesn’t stop once election results are in. The Knowledge Hub is open to everyone invested in Delaware’s schools — parents, educators, community advocates, and board candidates alike. Each digital badge or micro-credential recognizes real learning and leadership growth, offering flexible ways to showcase expertise and readiness to make an impact.

Each month, “Board Matters” sessions dive deep into the school system’s inner workings. And every Thursday morning, experts examine topics in depth on the “Leading Together” podcast.

“The Knowledge Hub is a great place for learning through fellowship, and sharing new ideas,” said Susan Sander, who earned a seat on the Red Clay Consolidated board in May, and is already its vice president. “There is just so much to learn about the workings of a district, and the roles of a board member.”

Maull can second that notion – and vouch for First State Educate’s reliable support system. “Being able to pick their brains was great,” she said. “‘And it’s nice to have so much available through the Knowledge Hub, so I can go back if I’m confused about something, and find a course that helps.”

Even entire school boards are benefitting from First State Educate’s expertise and commitment. Mini-grants awarded by the organization are focused on giving boards the resources to strengthen governance, test new ideas, and model effective practices. FSE scholarships open the door for board members to get advanced training, and explore opportunities to mentor others.

“It’s all done to ensure that Delaware benefits from strong, informed, and representative leadership,” Keleher said. “When boards govern well, districts perform better. Better district performance leads to higher student achievement. And that’s what it’s all really about, our children and their futures.”

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