William Weller
William W. Weller was a candidate for at-large representative on the Appoquinimink School District school board in Delaware. He lost his bid for the one open seat up for election on May 12, 2015.
In an interview with the Middletown Transcript, Weller emphasized the U.S. Route 301 construction project, class sizes, teacher salaries and administrative costs as his main concerns for the district, stating that on these issues "the board’s decisions have been contrary to the well-being of the district." He stated further:
| “ | Although being aware of U.S. Route 301 project impacts, the board has not held one public meeting to advise the community of the project’s impacts upon the students and personnel. Appoquinimink is the best school district in the state, but it pays the teachers the lowest salary in the county, and fourth lowest in the state. Although the 2012 referendum was offered to prevent class size increases, ironically, the class-size waivers percentage has increased each year since 2012. Even with these concerns, the board still believed it was necessary to approve the superintendent’s contract at the June 2014 board meeting with no notice to the public, which included a 50-70 percent increase.[1] | ” |
| —William Weller (2015)[2] | ||
A first time candidate for the board, Weller faced the most competitive election in the past 16 years for the district. It was also the most competitive election among Delaware's largest school districts in 2015.
Biography
Weller earned a B.A. in criminal justice from the University of Delaware in 1994 and completed Villanova University's A.B.A. Approved Paralegal Education course in 2002. He has worked as a paralegal since completing the program in 2002. He is also the president of the Airmont Civic Association.[2]
Elections
2015
Opposition
One of the five seats on the Appoquinimink Board of Education was up for election on May 12, 2015. At-large incumbent Julie Johnson's seat was up for election. Newcomer candidate Michelle Myers Wall won the election.
While Johnson did not file to run for re-election, the following eight candidates filed to seek the open seat: Joanne Christian, Tara Greathouse, Michelle Myers Wall, Debbie Harrington, Dainelle Hampton-Morton, Mark Heck, Ryan Scott and William Weller.[3] However, Hampton-Morton and Heck withdrew from the race in time to have their names excluded from the ballot.
Results
| Appoquinimink School District, At-Large General Election, 5-year term, 2015 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan |  Michelle Myers Wall |
55.9% | 609 | |
| Nonpartisan | Debbie Harrington | 19.8% | 216 | |
| Nonpartisan | Joanne Christian | 10.7% | 117 | |
| Nonpartisan | Tara Greathouse | 8.9% | 97 | |
| Nonpartisan | William Weller | 2.4% | 26 | |
| Nonpartisan | Ryan Scott | 2.2% | 24 | |
| Total Votes | 1,089 | |||
| Source: Department of Elections for New Castle County, "Appoquinimink School District: May 12, 2015 School Board Election," accessed May 28, 2015 | ||||
Funding
Weller reported no contributions or expenditures to the Delaware Commissioner of Elections as of May 7, 2015.[4]
Endorsements
Weller received no official endorsements as of April 1, 2015.
Campaign themes
2015
Weller participated in a candidate question-and-answer with the Middletown Transcript. The questions and his responses are below:
| “ | Q Why are you running for the school board seat?
A I am running to be a member of the Appoquinimink School Board because I believe that I have the necessary attributes, determination and background to ensure that the board’s policy and related decisions will adequately represent the community’s views and concerns, protect the district’s students and staff, and establish the appropriate fiscal policy. I believe in many ways, the board’s decisions have been contrary to the well-being of the district. Although being aware of U.S. Route 301 project impacts, the board has not held one public meeting to advise the community of the project’s impacts upon the students and personnel. Appoquinimink is the best school district in the state, but it pays the teachers the lowest salary in the county, and fourth lowest in the state. Although the 2012 referendum was offered to prevent class size increases, ironically, the class-size waivers percentage has increased each year since 2012. Even with these concerns, the board still believed it was necessary to approve the superintendent’s contract at the June 2014 board meeting with no notice to the public, which included a 50-70 percent increase. I believe the rationale, if any, is lacking in the board’s decisions. If elected, I will adequately represent the community’s interests. Q What are the three most important issues that you think are affecting the district? A Health related impacts from the U.S. Route 301 project upon students and staff of the district is the most pressing issue. Simply, if your child attends and/or you work at Bunker Hill Elementary, Appoquinimink High School, Cedar Lane ECC, or Cedar Lane Elementary, you will have health impacts from this project. As many may know, I presented these concerns to the Appoquinimink School Board in January, March, and April 2014, and provided testimony to the Legislature’s Bond Committee in March 2014. Critically, Bunker Hill was never studied in DelDOT’s studies, even though it will by far be the closest school impacted by 301 project, and PM2.5 (a roadway toxic) is “…one of the worst air pollutants endangering public health.” (Dr. Craft). Next issue is class sizes and teachers’ salaries. The 2012 referendum passed, but the class-size waiver percentage has increased each year. Also in 2012, the Appoquinimink’s average teacher’s salary was the lowest in the county, and fourth lowest in the state. Unfortunately, that holds true today as well. In 2012, the district had the highest percentage for administrative expenses, and is the same today. At the November 2014 board meeting, I expressed concern to the board regarding approval of the 50-70 percent increase in superintendent’s contract. Q What would you do as a school board member to address those issues? A For U.S. Route 301 issues, I would request that DelDOT immediately present their studies and findings to the board and, more importantly, the community at a board meeting. The AG’s Office issued an opinion in October 2014 that the board violated FOIA with respect to 301 project, but the board never advised the community. The board represents the interests of the community, and as such, they should ensure that the students and staff are adequately informed and protected from the impacts. I would make it a priority that that the district stays within the class-size limits, and also ensure that our teachers are not the lowest paid. Although the board doesn’t believe so, the superintendent’s contract is the public’s business. I would ensure that the board explains the reasons for or against any increase in the contract, and any other matters. Unfortunately this board has indicated to the Attorney General that it is not the public’s business, and that the board is not obligated to provide the community with accurate statements as to the contract’s terms. This is a disturbing position by the board, and if elected, I will ensure that the community is adequately and accurately informed of the board’s matters.[1] |
” |
| —William Weller (2015)[2] | ||
About the district
- See also: Appoquinimink School District, Delaware
Appoquinimink School District is located in New Castle County in northern Delaware. The county seat is Wilmington. The county was home to an estimated 549,684 residents in 2013, according to the United States Census Bureau.[5] Appoquinimink School District was the fifth-largest school district in Delaware, serving 9,380 students in the 2012-2013 school year.[6]
Academic performance
In the 2013-2014 school year, Appoquinimink School District had a graduation rate of 94.7 percent, up from 86.5 percent the year before. The district's dropout rate rose slightly from 0.7 percent to 0.8 percent, but was still lower than the 2011-2012 rate of 2.1 percent. District 11th-graders participated in the SAT at a higher rate than the state average in 2013-2014, and performed better on all parts of the test. The state average overall score was 1,303 while it was 1,373 for the district.[7]
Disciplinary action
In the 2013-2014 school year, the district suspended or expelled students less than the state average. The district expelled four students and 2,134 suspensions were administered. A total of 755 students were either suspended or expelled. Overall, 8 percent of the student body received either of these disciplinary actions, compared to 13 percent statewide.[7]
Demographics
New Castle County outperformed Delaware as a whole in terms of higher education achievement, median household income and poverty rate in 2013. The United States Census Bureau found that 33.8 percent of county residents aged 25 years and older had attained a bachelor's degree compared to 28.9 percent for the state. The median household income in the county was $64,537 compared to $59,878 for Delaware. The poverty rate in New Castle County was 10.7 percent compared to 11.7 percent for the entire state.[5]
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Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "William + Weller + Appoquinimink + School + District"
See also
- Appoquinimink School District, Delaware
- Appoquinimink School District elections (2015)
- Analysis of incumbency advantage in the 2014 school board elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Middletown Transcript, "Q&A with Appoquinimink Board of Education candidate William Weller," April 23, 2015
- ↑ New Castle County Department of Elections, "May 12, 2015 School Board Candidates & Filing Dates," March 6, 2015
- ↑ State of Delaware, "Campaign Finance Reporting System," accessed May 7, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 United States Census Bureau, "New Castle, Delaware," accessed January 22, 2015
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "ELSI Table Generator," accessed April 20, 2015
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 State of Delaware, "Appoquinimink District," accessed May 7, 2015
- ↑ Delaware Office of the State Election Commissioner, "Election Results Archive," accessed January 22, 2015
| 2015 Appoquinimink School District Elections | |
| New Castle County, Delaware | |
| Election date: | May 12, 2015 |
| Candidates: | At-large: • Joanne Christian • Tara Greathouse • Michelle Myers Wall • Debbie Harrington • Ryan Scott • William Weller |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
