What Happens in Dover Doesn’t Stay in Dover — It Comes Home With Our Children

When my children were in school, I remember the evenings we’d sit around the dinner table—half-eaten plates pushed aside—talking about their day. One might beam about a teacher who made science exciting. Another might wrestle with a confusing math assignment or a classmate who seemed troubled. As a mother, I celebrated their victories and carried their worries as my own.

That’s what every parent does.

But not every parent has time to track what’s happening in Dover—the votes, the bills, the decisions that, in the end, make their way into our children’s classrooms.

I do. I’ve done it for years, and I’m doing it now—not just as a mother and advocate, but as your candidate for the Brandywine School Board.

These bills matter. Because behind every piece of legislation, there’s a child. A teacher. A family.

Let me tell you why I’m paying close attention—and why you should, too.

Safety. Transparency. Fairness.

House Bill 97 would make sure that anyone working with our children in schools has a valid license or permit. That may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s not always the case. This bill protects kids and honors the professionalism of educators. As of April 9, 2025, it has been reported out of the House Education Committee and remains in committee.

Because no child should ever be left unsupervised with someone unqualified. Because we don’t cut corners when it comes to our children’s safety.

House Bill 85 clears up who needs background checks to serve on a school board—everyone. That includes appointed members filling vacancies. That matters because leadership begins with trust. And trust begins with accountability. This bill was reported out of the House Education Committee.

Would you let someone into your home without knowing who they are?

Neither should we in our schools.

Every Parent Deserves a Seat at the Table

When I talk to parents—single parents, shift workers, caregivers—I hear the same thing: “I want to be involved, but I can’t always get to the meetings.”

House Bill 64 would change that by requiring remote access to school board meetings and options for public comment. This bill has crossed over to the Senate and is currently in the Senate Education Committee.

House Bill 83, now introduced as House Substitute No. 1, ensures school board members who are ill or face personal hardship can attend meetings remotely. It's currently in committee.

That’s huge.

It means a parent stuck at work can still speak up.

It means an ill board member can still vote on policies that impact your child.

It means the door to decision-making stays open—because democracy works better when everyone can walk through it.

Training, Representation, and Real Roots in the

Community

School board members are making decisions about curriculum, safety, mental health, and spending. Shouldn’t they be trained?

House Bill 77 says yes. It’s been reported out of the House Education Committee.

And shouldn't they actually live in the districts they represent?

House Bill 82 makes that requirement crystal clear. It, too, has moved through committee.

This is about strengthening the bridge between schools and communities. Because you deserve leaders who are part of your world—not just passing through it.

Immigration Status Shouldn’t Dictate a Child’s

Sense of Safety

House Concurrent Resolution 20 sends a powerful message: no matter where a child comes from, they deserve to feel safe in their school. Immigration enforcement policies and student privacy protections are not just legal matters—they’re deeply human ones.

And as of March 25, 2025, this resolution was passed by the Senate and adopted.

Imagine being a child who doesn’t know if their parents will be there when they get home. Now imagine that same child trying to focus on a spelling test.

We can do better. And we must.

Aging with Dignity and Protecting Our Seniors

You may wonder why House Bill 72 and House Bill 73, which deal with senior property tax credits, are part of this conversation. But here’s the thing—many of our seniors are raising grandchildren, living on fixed incomes, and trying to stay in the homes they built.

Reducing the residency requirement and raising the credit helps keep families together. It stabilizes neighborhoods. And it reminds us that intergenerational support is part of a healthy school district.

Both bills are currently in the House Administration Committee.

Other Critical Legislation to Watch

House Bill 78 would require public bodies to record meetings and post them online within 7 days. It has passed out of committee and awaits further action.
House Bill 9, requiring elected and appointed officials to disclose dual employment with the state, has crossed over to the Senate and was reported out of committee on April 10, 2025.
House Bill 86, which would create fair and uniform recount procedures for school district elections, is still in committee.
The broader budget and capital bills—House Bill 100 and Senate Bill 30—remain in their respective Appropriations and Capital Improvement Committees.

What It All Comes Down To

I know how hard Delaware families work. I’ve been there—juggling responsibilities, worrying about bills, advocating for my kids.

That’s why I’m not just watching these bills. I’m connecting the dots between policy and people.

Because every legislative decision that touches a classroom touches a child. And every child deserves a champion.

That’s why I’m running. To make sure you have someone who not only reads the fine print but lives and breathes the impact of every sentence.

I won’t just sit on the school board—I’ll stand for your family.

Let’s make sure every child in the Brandywine School District has a bright, safe, and supported future.

Together, we can make education what it’s meant to be: a promise, not a privilege.

That’s what every parent does.

But not every parent has time to track what’s happening in Dover—the votes, the bills, the decisions that, in the end, make their way into our children’s classrooms.

I do. I’ve done it for years, and I’m doing it now—not just as a mother and advocate, but as your candidate for the Brandywine School Board.

These bills matter. Because behind every piece of legislation, there’s a child. A teacher. A family.

Let me tell you why I’m paying close attention—and why you should, too.

Safety. Transparency. Fairness.

Because no child should ever be left unsupervised with someone unqualified. Because we don’t cut corners when it comes to our children’s safety.

House Bill 85 clears up who needs background checks to serve on a school board—everyone. That includes appointed members filling vacancies. That matters because leadership begins with trust. And trust begins with accountability. This bill was reported out of the House Education Committee.

Would you let someone into your home without knowing who they are?

Neither should we in our schools.

Every Parent Deserves a Seat at the Table

When I talk to parents—single parents, shift workers, caregivers—I hear the same thing: “I want to be involved, but I can’t always get to the meetings.”

House Bill 64 would change that by requiring remote access to school board meetings and options for public comment. This bill has crossed over to the Senate and is currently in the Senate Education Committee.

House Bill 83, now introduced as House Substitute No. 1, ensures school board members who are ill or face personal hardship can attend meetings remotely. It's currently in committee.

That’s huge.

It means a parent stuck at work can still speak up.

It means an ill board member can still vote on policies that impact your child.

It means the door to decision-making stays open—because democracy works better when everyone can walk through it.

Training, Representation, and Real Roots in the

Community

School board members are making decisions about curriculum, safety, mental health, and spending. Shouldn’t they be trained?

House Bill 77 says yes. It’s been reported out of the House Education Committee.

And shouldn't they actually live in the districts they represent?

House Bill 82 makes that requirement crystal clear. It, too, has moved through committee.

This is about strengthening the bridge between schools and communities. Because you deserve leaders who are part of your world—not just passing through it.

Immigration Status Shouldn’t Dictate a Child’s

Sense of Safety

House Concurrent Resolution 20 sends a powerful message: no matter where a child comes from, they deserve to feel safe in their school. Immigration enforcement policies and student privacy protections are not just legal matters—they’re deeply human ones.

And as of March 25, 2025, this resolution was passed by the Senate and adopted.

Imagine being a child who doesn’t know if their parents will be there when they get home. Now imagine that same child trying to focus on a spelling test.

We can do better. And we must.

Aging with Dignity and Protecting Our Seniors

You may wonder why House Bill 72 and House Bill 73, which deal with senior property tax credits, are part of this conversation. But here’s the thing—many of our seniors are raising grandchildren, living on fixed incomes, and trying to stay in the homes they built.

Reducing the residency requirement and raising the credit helps keep families together. It stabilizes neighborhoods. And it reminds us that intergenerational support is part of a healthy school district.

Both bills are currently in the House Administration Committee.

Other Critical Legislation to Watch

House Bill 78 would require public bodies to record meetings and post them online within 7 days. It has passed out of committee and awaits further action.

House Bill 9, requiring elected and appointed officials to disclose dual employment with the state, has crossed over to the Senate and was reported out of committee on April 10, 2025.

House Bill 86, which would create fair and uniform recount procedures for school district elections, is still in committee.

The broader budget and capital bills—House Bill 100 and Senate Bill 30—remain in their respective Appropriations and Capital Improvement Committees.

What It All Comes Down To

I know how hard Delaware families work. I’ve been there—juggling responsibilities, worrying about bills, advocating for my kids.

That’s why I’m not just watching these bills. I’m connecting the dots between policy and people.

Because every legislative decision that touches a classroom touches a child. And every child deserves a champion.

That’s why I’m running. To make sure you have someone who not only reads the fine print but lives and breathes the impact of every sentence.

I won’t just sit on the school board—I’ll stand for your family.

Let’s make sure every child in the Brandywine School District has a bright, safe, and supported future.

Together, we can make education what it’s meant to be: a promise, not a privilege.

With hope and determination,

Karen Hartley-Nagle

Candidate for Brandywine School Board, Nominating District B

Mother. Advocate. Fighter for Families.

Experience that Matters.

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