The Delaware City Schools Board of Education met Monday to approve the 2024-2025 district calendar and bid farewell to member Matt Weller, who took part in his final meeting after serving 15 years on the board.

The board’s regular meeting at Willis Education Center began with recognition for Weller, who was elected in 2007 and has served on the board since 2008. Weller’s term on the board ends this year, and he did not run for reelection in November.

“On behalf of Delaware City Schools and the Board of Education, we’d like to present this certificate to Matt Weller, who has served Delaware City Schools on the Board of Education from 2008 to 2023,” Superintendent Heidi Kegley said during the meeting. “I personally want to thank you for all you have done for me, for our district and our students. I will be forever grateful.”

Kegley said a brick will be put in Cornell Stadium in Weller’s honor and later thanked Weller and his family.

“Thank you for all you have done to continue to elevate the education of our students, support our community, and your many years on the Facilities cCommittee,” Kegley said.

Board President Jayna McDaniel-Browning said no one would miss Weller on the board more than her.

“I appreciate your leadership all these years,” she said. “You’ve been a mentor to me. I appreciate your clear-headedness. You’ve been a great board member, and I will miss you.”

Near the end of the meeting, Weller reflected on his time on the board.

“(I) only served with eight board members in 16 years. It’s a testament to the community that they trust in what we’re doing to reelect us to the board,” Weller said. “I know you all have your hearts and minds in the right place. Navigating these last few years hasn’t been easy, but it was coming from the right place. People disagreed with some of our decisions, but I challenge all of them to come sit in this chair and entertain all sides. You’ve got to make tough calls, and I think, certainly, we did what we felt was right during the COVID years.”

Looking ahead, Weller challenged the board to “keep us moving in the right direction no matter what the outside pressures that you’re going to face” and said Kegley is “the right person for this job, and the right person to guide us into this next chapter that’s coming down the pike.”

Weller added that he served with 16 different student board members, and he believes the district’s student board member is “a great program” that “offers some unique perspective into what is going on in the buildings.”

Weller also thanked a number of current and former school officials as well as his wife and family for their support.

“Thank you,” Weller said to the board. “It’s been an honor.”

Additionally, the board approved the calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. The first day of school for students will be Aug. 16. There will be no school on Sept. 4 for Labor Day; on Sept. 20-22 for a teacher in-service day and Jug days; Oct. 20 for a teacher in-service day; and Nov. 20-22 for a conference day and Thanksgiving break. Winter break will be from Dec. 21 to Jan 1.

The 2025 spring semester begins on Jan. 3 and concludes on May 23.

Additionally, the board approved a $470,155 contract to replace the chiller unit at Dempsey Middle School using ESSER funds. Director of Facilities and Transportation Jason Sherman said the chiller will be replaced this summer before the 2024-2025 school year begins.

The board also approved a number of resignations, including Anissa Horvath, an educational assistant at Smith Elementary; Joyce King, an administrative assistant at Conger Elementary; and Angela Majka, a cook/cashier at Schultz Elementary. The board also approved the retirement of Cathleen Sheets.

The board then approved the employments of Jose Blecharczyk, an educational assistant at Conger; Courtney Boysel, a cook/cashier at Hayes High School; Daphne Chisholm, a school-aged-child-care site manager; Dodie Kennedy, a technology specialist at Schultz; Cathleen Okunlola, an educational assistant at Hayes; and Vanessa Sikora, an educational assistant at Smith.

The board will meet next on Jan. 8.

Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903.