Cape school board candidates outline positions

Eligible residents will head to the polls Tuesday, May 9, to cast their votes in the Cape Henlopen school board election.

Incumbent Jessica Tyndall and challenger Shawn Lovenguth are vying for the Area A seat, which encompasses the greater Milton area. The four-year term runs from July 1 through June 30, 2027.

The Cape Gazette asked both candidates to submit their responses to the following questions. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Name: Shawn L. Lovenguth
Age: 50
Family: Wife Tammie and two sons, Chase, 19, who graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in 2022, and Ethan, 15, a current sophomore at Cape Henlopen High School  
Education: Cape graduate, associate’s degree in criminal justice from Delaware Technical Community College
Employment: Senior facilities operations supervisor at the Delaware Solid Waste Authority
Relevant experience: I have been involved in the community for years, meeting so many great people when I owned M and H, which was a local restaurant in Milton. Also, with my church, various other charitable organizations and working with the public with DSWA for the past 27 years
Top reason for running: I am running to ensure our schools are a safe place for our children and faculty, and to provide a more open dialogue between parents, staff members and taxpayers and the school board. I feel it is important for our children to understand the importance of education and that their actions have consequences.  

Name: Jessica Tyndall
Age: 39
Family: Husband Shaun; son Austin, eighth-grader at Mariner Middle School; son Liam, fifth-grade Spanish immersion student at Milton Elementary School; daughter Ella, second-grade Spanish immersion student at Milton Elementary; and golden retrievers Havi and Bruno
Education: University of Delaware Class of 2005, bachelor of science, nutrition & dietetics 
Employment: Self-employed with Shaun, own Inclind Inc. web development agency
Relevant experience: Current Cape Henlopen school board Area A representative (past seven years); current president of the Mariner Middle School PTO (two years); a CHEF board member; and I have served on the athletic, safety and wellness committees for the district. Past treasurer and president of the Coastal Delaware MOMS Club.
Top reason for running: It has been an honor to serve the Cape community, particularly the Milton area, for the past seven years. I am running because I believe there is more to be accomplished in the areas of equity, student achievement and effective communication. For the next decade-plus, I have a vested interest since my three children are current students in the district. Next year, I will have one child at each level in our schools.

What is the top issue facing the district for the next four years?

Lovenguth: The primary issue I see facing the district for the next four years would be the residential growth and possible necessity to expand. It is important that we maintain the current great staff in the district while hiring new, high-qualified personnel to correlate with the anticipated growth.

Tyndall: I believe the top issue facing us is effectively educating our students in a post-COVID world. Providing our students with the best environment to recover any academic loss, while handling the increased mental health needs, is of the utmost importance. I am proud of the programs and resources we have implemented thus far, but feel that we must continue our efforts to help students and parents.

Some members of the public have spoken against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in Cape district schools. DEI work is woven into the district’s strategic plan. Do you support these efforts? Why or why not?

Lovenguth: The student body and staff are diverse, be it age, race, creed, gender, economic status, family structure or whatever else makes us different from one another. Equity, by definition, is being fair and providing an environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. These items are a natural part of a school and are nothing new, at least since my time in school. Students should be given every opportunity to achieve their academic goals. I firmly believe we need to take politics out of the school system and simply provide our children with the best education possible.  

Tyndall: Absolutely. Creating an environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all students in our community is important. Students of color need to feel a sense of belonging in our schools so that they can be just as empowered to realize their full potential. It is also important for our white students to have a world-view lens in order to be effective in a global society. Additionally, the implementation of Spanish immersion is teaching our students at a young age the value of diversity and the benefits of being multilingual. We are also extremely lucky to have our Sussex Consortium students included in our schools and classrooms to teach our students (and us!) the importance of inclusion and acceptance every day.

Safety and security in schools is of paramount importance. Should the district employ resource officers in each school? Why or why not? If so, how should funding be reallocated to staff these positions?

Lovenguth: Safety and security are my current chief concerns in our schools. The district currently has a couple resource officers for the soon-to-be 10 school buildings. I strongly believe there should be either a resource officer or constable in each school facility. The officers will provide protection to our children and staff, but can also show our youth that they are someone who is a trusted and friendly part of our community. Associated costs could be reduced using retired police or corrections officers hired as casual, seasonal positions during the school year. 

Tyndall: Currently, our district employs two school resource officers from the Delaware State Police and one officer provided by our partnership with the Rehoboth Police Department. We have been approved for an additional Delaware State Police SRO for the 2023-24 school year. To further increase the safety of our schools, I am in favor of increasing the number of school resource officers and creating constable positions in our schools. Funding for initiatives like this is always a concern; however, our district is fiscally responsible and will be able to fund the needed positions through local means for the immediate future. There is also the possibility of cost sharing with local police departments. As a long-term solution, our district should consider including safety and security in our next referendum.

How should the district prepare to reorganize enrollment areas for implementation once Frederick D. Thomas Middle School in Lewes is complete?

Lovenguth: The reorganization should include utilizing each middle school and its resources, such as class sizes and teaching staff, consider travel time and distances for busing, and what impacts it will have on families as school times may change. We should solicit input from the district’s parents to hear their ideas and what their concerns may be in order to formulate the best outcome for our Cape families.

Tyndall: Reorganizing enrollment areas in preparation for the new middle school poses some unique challenges for our district. Fortunately, I was able to experience the process as a board committee member during the last redistricting. There are many layers to this process, including balancing the number of students in each building, paying attention to factors like bus ride times, and making sure our schools are as diverse as possible from a socioeconomic status perspective. However, the one aspect I believe is most important is communication with our parents. Reorganizing enrollment areas can be a stressful process for students and parents. Good communication about the process, giving time for community feedback and responding to challenges will help to make the process successful for all involved.

Why are you the best candidate to represent Area A?

Lovenguth: I believe my job as a board member is to be accessible to those I am elected to represent, including parents, staff and each taxpayer in our district. I will strive to answer every call, respond to every piece of mail and ensure your voice is heard. Lastly, I will do all I can to make our schools safe and see our children, who are our future, receive the best education possible.

Tyndall: Over the past seven years, I have been an advocate and supporter of all of the schools in our district; however, I have done my best to ensure that the schools in Milton have the resources they need to be successful. I hope to continue that work for the next four years as the Area A representative. Reflecting on my years as a board member, I can honestly say that my understanding of education and of our district has grown considerably. I believe that knowledge and experience combined with my focus on equity, student achievement and communication make me the best candidate for the Area A seat.

About the election

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 9 at Cape High, Lewes Fire Hall, Mariner Middle and Rehoboth Elementary.

Eligible voters must be 18 years old and be Delaware citizens residing in the Cape Henlopen School District. Voters must provide proof of identity and address. Absentee voting is available. 

For more information, go to elections.delaware.gov.