Gubernatorial candidates talk education

All five gubernatorial candidates took the stage in Kent County May 8 to field questions on education.

Democrats Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, and former Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara will compete in a Sept. 10 primary, and so will Republicans House Minority Leader Rep. Mike Ramone of Newark and political newcomer Jerry Price of Lewes.

Moderated by the Rodel Foundation, candidates fielded an array of questions revolving around current education talking points such as mental health offerings for students, helping multi-language learners and ways to retain teachers.

Funding was the answer to many issues for the Democrats. Meyer said improving poor student test scores starts with funding, and reworking the state’s outdated public school funding formula. “Delaware’s funding formula is one of the oldest in the country,” he said.

O’Mara said more investment is needed to match staffing for the needs of students, and Hall-Long said she would make sure there is funding and it is equitable.

Price, however, offered a plan to bring more volunteers into the schools and to work with outside groups, such as churches, to help students who are struggling with schoolwork.

“A lot of people say we have money for this and money for that, but I’m not that person,” Price said. “I can’t promise you I’m going to throw out $600 million if the money is not there.”

Ramone, a New Castle County businessman, said as governor, he would seek education solutions that acknowledge not all children learn the same or have the same skill set. “God did not give each child the same-sized cup,” he said.

On the questions of mental health support for students, O’Mara said schools should offer more counselors for all grades. Hall-Long touted the state’s recent investment in school counselors and said wrap-around 24-hour service is needed. 

Price said mental health issues are the result of the breakdown of the family, and spending more money isn’t the answer.

“You can’t force people to get help if they don’t want it,” he said.

Resources for multi-language learners are already available, Price said, for anyone who wants them.

Ramone used his Italian grandfather who emigrated to the United States and made his children all learn English as an example of how all non-native speakers can succeed.

O’Mara said wrap-around services and more resources are needed for multi-language learners, and Hall-Long said there need to be more diverse teachers and equity.

On teachers' pay, all candidates agreed competitive salaries are needed.

“Teachers need to be put in classrooms where they can have success,” Ramone said. “They need to be paid a fair rate.”

Meyer agreed that teachers should have good working conditions, and that $100,000 to $120,000 would be a competitive range for teachers. “We don’t want you to come; we want you to stay,” he said.

O’Mara said teacher autonomy should be supported. “Let the educators teach,” he said.

Hall-Long said good pay is needed, but tax credits and mortgage assistance could be other ways to retain teachers.

“Too many teachers are paying out of pocket,” Price said. 

Ramone agreed that autonomy for teachers and schools is needed so that Delaware isn’t paying one of the highest per-student costs in the country but delivering some of the poorest results. A public-private partnership is one way, he said, that could bring success without spending more money.

“We have money in our government, and we need to get the biggest bang,” Ramone said. 

Both Democrat and Republican candidates will face off in a primary Sept. 10.