New Bills Target Christina School Board Amid Ongoing Controversy
- 39th District Republicans
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
Three bills aimed at improving transparency and accountability for the Christina School Board are now awaiting Governor Matt Meyer’s approval. These measures come amid a prolonged period of dysfunction and controversy within the district’s leadership.
The Christina School Board has been under intense scrutiny for over a year following multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) violations, the controversial removal of the district’s superintendent—who is currently pursuing legal action—and questions surrounding the residency status of board member Naveed Baqir. Baquir has reportedly been living in Pakistan and attending meetings virtually for the past 16 months, prompting board member Doug Manley to file a lawsuit challenging Baqir’s eligibility to serve. The ongoing dispute has cast a shadow over the district’s governance.
What the Bills Would Do
The three bills passed by the legislature would:
Require all school board meetings to provide a virtual participation option for the public
Establish clear guidelines for when board members may participate virtually
Mandate background checks for school board members
Additionally, a fourth bill, House Bill 82, awaits a final House vote after passing once previously. This legislation would require school board candidates and members to be inhabitants of the district they serve.
A Senate amendment to HB 82 allows exceptions to residency requirements for circumstances beyond control, such as temporary relocation due to unforeseen events. State Sen. Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn cited an example of a member temporarily residing outside the district after their home was destroyed by fire—a provision similar to allowances for members of the General Assembly.
Anticipated Shakeup at the Christina School Board
The legislation arrives just days before anticipated changes on the board. Christina School Board President Donald Patton announced on June 10 that Baqir is expected to resign in July, but only after the board votes on a new president scheduled for July 8.
Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend commented on the Senate floor, linking the bill directly to Baqir’s case. He shared that a Christina School Board member reached out, urging the bill’s passage without amendments so it could be used to declare a vacancy on the board. Townsend expressed mixed feelings about legislative involvement in the board’s internal conflict:
“It's frustrating that the legislature is being asked to pass a law to try and sort it out when clearly, even when we pass this law, it’s not going to be sorted out.”
He also cautioned against using the law to challenge the vacancy outside the public process and urged thoughtful consideration before voting on board leadership positions amid ongoing turmoil.
Only State Sen. Darius Brown voted against the bill, while the rest of the Senate supported its passage.
Additional Related Legislation and Oversight
These bills are part of a broader package introduced in March. Two more bills sponsored by State Rep. Eric Morrison seek to:
Codify mandatory FOIA training for new school board members (still pending Senate vote)
Ensure timely public posting of school board meeting recordings (awaiting further legislative steps)
Last year, the legislature directed the Department of Justice to monitor the Christina School Board meetings for one year beginning July 1, 2024, focusing on transparency and compliance with public information laws. When asked recently, DOJ stated no updates are currently available on their findings.
Moving Forward
As Governor Matt Meyer reviews these transparency measures, the Christina School Board remains at a crossroads. The passage of these bills marks a significant step toward greater accountability, but many challenges remain in restoring public trust and effective governance to Delaware’s largest school district.
Comments