The state’s largest school district has chosen a new superintendent.
The Red Clay Consolidated School District board voted Wednesday to give the job to Dorrell Green.
Green was selected over the only other candidate, Hugh Broomall, by a 5-2 vote.
The position opened last November when Red Clay’s superintendent of nearly a decade, Merv Daugherty, left for another job. Jill Floore, the district’s chief financial officer, served as interim superintendent.
During a heated board meeting Wednesday, several board member and members of the public raised concerns about “segregation” and inequity in the school district. Green addressed the issue afterwards.
“Hopefully I can be that conduit to be the change that everyone is seeking and and to help bridge some divides,” he said. “And I think we probably have more in common than differences.”
Parent Marsha Carter voiced her support for Green. She criticized the district's academic proficiency scores. “We need something different for Red Clay," she said.
Green says he is confident there are many examples of success in the district.
“A lot of what was indicated or discussed tonight is currently in place. And it’s just a matter of drawing some focus to those specific areas so we can ultimately build on the success we’re looking at,” said Green.
Red Clay school board member Adriana Bohm says she voted for Green in part because of his wide and diverse network of contacts. “The promise he brings to us of a better future and a more inclusive future is just absolutely phenomenal,” she said.
Representatives from groups including the Wilmington Education Strategy Think Tank (WESTT) and DelawareCAN spoke in favor of Green during the public comment period.
Green most recently served as director of the Delaware Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement. Before that, he was assistant superintendent in the Brandywine School District.
Broomall is currently Red Clay’s deputy superintendent.
