Bills would reinstate employer match and allow casual/seasonal employees to participate in retirement plan

Remaining consistent with her three main priorities; bolstering retirement security and readiness, creating pathways to economic empowerment, and promoting a culture of financial excellence, Treasurer Davis has proposed two pieces of legislation with bi-partisan support designed to support state employees with their retirement saving.

The first bill, supported as a key strategic objective of the Delaware Plans Management Board, would reinstate the employer match for state employee contributions to the deferred compensation program. The State suspended the match in July 2008 during the early part of the ‘Great Recession’.

“It was always the intent of the General Assembly to revive the match after lawmakers reluctantly put it on hold in order to cut costs,” said Treasurer Davis. “In fact, every budget bill since Fiscal Year 2008 contained language reading ‘It is the intent of the General Assembly that this program be reinstated when funding becomes available.’”

Senate Bill 94, sponsored by Sen. Trey Paradee and House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst restores the State’s match and adjusts it for cost-of-living increases by setting the maximum match at $20 per pay period. The previous maximum was set at $10 in the year 2000.

“For over a decade, the State of Delaware provided a meager match to the deferred compensation program as a way to encourage state workers to save for their future,” said Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, Senate prime sponsor of SB 94. “Now, after six straight years of surpluses, I think it’s time we finally keep our promise and restore a match that keeps pace with inflation. This legislation is not only good for state workers, it also will help the State of Delaware at a time when it’s getting harder to compete with the private sector.”

During the time that the State offered the employer match, the employee participation rate was growing at an average of 3.25% per year. After the suspension, employee participation declined at an average rate of 1.6% per year.

Senate Bill 94 also provides retirement help to State employees with student loan debt who are struggling to save for retirement. The bill also authorizes the State to contribute to an employee’s retirement account if the employee is making payments on student loans, and as a result, the employee cannot afford to contribute to their retirement account.

A second piece of legislation will take another step towards increasing retirement saving opportunities for state employees. When passed, House Bill 130, sponsored by Reps. Longhurst, Krista Griffith, and Melissa Minor-Brown and Sen. Paradee will allow casual seasonal state employees to participate in the State’s 457(b) retirement savings plan. Currently, casual/seasonal employees, who are not eligible for benefits, are excluded from the plan. As a result, many casual seasonals are missing out on saving for retirement.

“Casual seasonal employees make up a critical part of the state government workforce, and they play a significant role in keeping our state running and delivering services to the people of Delaware.” said Treasurer Davis. “Among those in casual seasonal roles are nurses, park rangers, prosecutors, accountants, security officers, and social workers. The State should be taking care of these hard-working individuals by allowing them to participate in the State’s retirement savings plan so that they can save, invest, and build wealth for a more secure and comfortable retirement.”

“Our hardworking state employees dedicate their lives to serving our communities. It’s only fair that we give these civil servants the tools and resources they need to enter their retirement years with dignity and security. With these bills, we’re taking meaningful steps to fulfill that promise and secure the financial future of our state’s workforce,” said House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst. “I commend State Treasurer Colleen Davis for her commitment to ensuring that all state workers have the opportunity to plan for their retirement with confidence and I look forward to passing these bills in the General Assembly.”

Gov. John Carney and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin joined WWII Veterans Ernie Marvel and Herb Faulls, U.S. Army Commander Maj. Gen. Robert Edmonson II, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens, Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation Members and other state and local officials cutting the ribbon for public access to the rehabilitated World War II-era Tower 3 at Delaware Seashore State Park. Left to right in photo: Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation President Chairman Larry Brown, Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer, Delaware House of Representatives Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, Maj. Gen. Edmonson, State Senator Russell Huxtable, World War II Veteran Ernest Marvel, State Sen. Gerald Hocker, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, WWII Veteran Herbert Faulls, Gov. Carney, Sussex County Council President Michael Vincent, DNREC Secretary Garvin, State Rep. Ronald Gray, Dover Air Force Base Col. Jason Holcomb, and DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens. /DNREC photo

New Access to Top of Rehabilitated Coast Defense Tower Offers Panoramic Views of Atlantic Ocean, Inland Bays

Gov. John Carney joined Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin Wednesday to cut the ribbon on the newly-rehabilitated World War II Fire Control Tower 3 in Delaware Seashore State Park (DSSP). Visitors to Towers Beach along Route 1 in the park can now walk up the nearly 100 spiral steps to the top of Tower 3, which was built to help protect the Delaware coastline during the Second World War.

Tower 3 is one of 15 fire control towers built as part of Fort Miles, now part of Cape Henlopen State Park, during World War II. Eleven towers were constructed in Delaware while another four were across the Delaware Bay in New Jersey. While Fort Miles never had to engage enemy warships during World War II, the soldiers stationed at this tower practiced regularly to be thoroughly prepared.

“These World War II era towers are iconic landmarks of Delaware’s coastline,” said Gov. John Carney. “I’m glad that Tower 3 has been preserved so future generations can learn about Delaware’s history while enjoying our beautiful state parks. I want to thank DNREC, the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation, Delmarva Veterans Builders, and members of the General Assembly for making this landmark accessible to the public.”

The project highlights the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation’s strong partnerships with volunteer groups like the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation (DSPF) and the Fort Miles Historical Association, local legislators and various area stakeholders, all of whom came together to bring this project to fruition.

The endeavor to open the tower to the public began more than 15 years ago when the DSPF the non-profit organization that supports Delaware Seashore State Park, launched its “Save the Tower” fundraising efforts. Donations started to take off just before being delayed by The Great Recession, and the project was delayed. The DSPF continued to raise funds to bring Tower 3 back to life and by 2019, enough money had been raised to commence construction.

“Many people have been waiting for the day they can walk to the top of Tower 3. We are honored and proud to preserve this piece of Delaware’s World War II history and excited for visitors to learn about and enjoy it,” said. DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “A trip to the tower makes a great excuse to get outside on Earth Day and enjoy views of the ocean, beach, dunes and inland bays. The wetlands visible to the south are some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, right here in Delaware.”

The rehabilitation project cost approximately $1.7 million, of which $500,000 was raised by the DSPF from multiple sources, and with $300,000 contributed via Community Transportation Funds from all Sussex County Legislators who served during the 151st Delaware General Assembly.

Construction was led by Delmarva Veterans Builders and included installation of modern features along with restoration of the tower’s ships ladders; installation of an entry ramp and sidewalk; a metal spiral staircase to the top; lighting; a fire alarm system; replacement of windows on the bottom level; a handrail and netting system at the top of the tower for safety; and interpretive elements that will enable the public to understand the important role fire control towers played in World War II. A separate project to pave the Towers Beach parking lot and replace its bathhouse ramp was also recently completed.

Following today’s ribbon cutting, guests enjoyed an ice cream social as they waited their turn to go to the top of Tower 3. Honored guests included WWII Veterans and Delawareans Ernie Marvel and Herb Faulls; the family of the late Dr. Gary Wray, Fort Miles Historical Association co-founder; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert L. Edmonson II, and William C. Grayson, author of the book “Delaware’s Ghost Towers: The Coast Artillery’s Forgotten Last Stand During the Darkest Days of World War II.”

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation manages more historic structures than any other entity in the state. The rehabilitation of Tower 3, a long time in the making, was a unique project to tackle, and will serve as a tourist destination for years to come. Tower 3 also is the second fire control tower the division has opened to the public in Delaware State Parks, following Tower 7, known as The Observatory, and located within Cape Henlopen State Park near Fort Miles.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov.

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DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy Director Dayna Cobb, right, and DNREC Energy Efficiency Planner Keri Knorr, left, present the overall winner’s trophy for the 2023 Junior Solar Sprint competition to Veraj Mehta and Chetan Kasukurthi from the Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington. The Junior Solar Sprint competition was live for the first time since 2019 and held for the first time at Delaware State University. /DNREC photo

Middle School Students Design, Build and Race Solar Vehicles
During DNREC-Sponsored Event at Delaware State University

A team from Cab Calloway School of the Arts was crowned overall champion of the 2023 Junior Solar Sprint competition held on the campus of Delaware State University today.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control teams up with the Delaware Technology Student Association for the event each year. Students in grades 5 through 8 work with classmates and teacher advisors over the course of several months to build model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells, better known as solar panels.

“While the virtual events of the past couple years showcased each team’s abilities to adapt to changing circumstances – much like we are learning to adapt to a changing climate – nothing compares to the excitement of the head-to-head racing competition,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “These students, like many others across the First State, are laying the groundwork to ensure a clean, healthy Delaware for future generations.”

Today’s competition marked the first time since 2019 that the event was held live. The Junior Solar Sprint was canceled due to the COVID pandemic in 2020, and was held virtually the past two years. This is also the first time the event was held on the DSU campus.

Dayna Cobb, Director of DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy, said the competition showcases the talents of all the students participating. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders,” she said. “The teamwork, problem-solving and creative scientific thinking they employ for this competition demonstrates their commitment to taking on the environmental challenges we face today, and will continue to face in the future.”

Students received points for project portfolios, overall design and fastest speed in a timed competition. The team accumulating the most points wins – today that honor went to Team 2 made up of Veraj Mehta and Chetan Kasukurthi from Cab Calloway School of the Arts. Technology Student Association-affiliated teams also can earn the opportunity to represent Delaware against other students from around the country in the national TSA conference, which is to be held in Louisville, Ky. in June.

Schools participating in this year’s event included Las Americas ASPIRA Academy, Cab Calloway Middle School, Las Americas ASPIRA Academy, Newark; Gauger-Cobbs Middle School, Newark; Holy Cross School, Dover; and May B. Leasure Elementary School, Newark.

Competition results from the Delaware State campus today were:

The all-around winners for combined speed, design and portfolio presentations

• 1^st place: Team #2 – Veraj Mehta and Chetan Kasukurthi from Cab Calloway School of the Arts
• 2^nd place: Team #5 – Jha’san Clark and Daniel Coleman from Gauger-Cobbs Middle School
• 3^rd place: Team #6 – Veronica Morales-Garcia and Len Ojeda from Las Americas ASPIRA Academy

Top results from the double-elimination races

• 1^st place: Team #2 – Veraj Mehta and Chetan Kasukurthi from Cab Calloway School of the Arts
• 2^nd place: Team #9 – Vishal Karthikeyan and Vedic Mukherjee from Cab Calloway School of the Arts:
• 3^rd place: Team #7 – Andrew Russom, Favor Chucks, Lillian Poliquin, and Seyram Tackey from Holy Cross School

Top results from the design competition

• 1^st place: Team #5 – Jha’san Clark and Daniel Coleman from Gauger-Cobbs Middle School
• 2^nd place: Team #2 – Veraj Mehta and Chetan Kasukurthi from Cab Calloway School of the Arts
• 3^rd place: Team #6 – Veronica Morales-Garcia and Len Ojeda from Las Americas ASPIRA Academy

Top results from the portfolio competition were

• 1^st place: Team #5 – Jha’san Clark and Daniel Coleman from Gauger-Cobbs Middle School
• 2^nd place: Team #2 – Veraj Mehta and Chetan Kasukurthi from Cab Calloway School of the Arts
• 3^rd. place: Team #4 – Johnathan Cruz and Sean Andrews from Las Americas ASPIRA Academy

DNREC would also like to thank the 2023 Junior Solar Sprint sponsors: Chesapeake Utilities, Energize Delaware, the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, KW Solar Solutions, Clean Energy USA and CMI Solar and Electric.

For more information, visit de.gov/solarsprint.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov.

Washington, DC and Chicago, IL — After two years of virtual competitions, the Poetry Out Loud® National Finals are returning to Washington, DC, this Spring, May 9–10, 2023, and will be streamed live at Arts.gov/Poetry-Out-Loud. This annual event brings together high school students from across the country who memorize and recite classic and contemporary poems, competing for the title of national champion and the $20,000 prize. Visit PoetryOutLoud.org for the list of the 2023 Poetry Out Loud state and jurisdictional champions who will take part in the competition.

A program of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation along with state and jurisdictional arts agencies, Poetry Out Loud has reached more than 4.3 million students since it began in 2005. This year’s state and jurisdictional champions advanced from more than 158,000 students nationwide. 

“We are excited to welcome these students to Washington, DC, and look forward to witnessing their command of poetic expression as they share their recitations with us,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “Poetry Out Loud gives them the unique opportunity to reflect on their connection to the poems they select to memorize while also bolstering their confidence and public communication skills.”

“Witnessing young people recite poems with their own spirit and meaning through Poetry Out Loud is so inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity,” said Michelle T. Boone, president of the Poetry Foundation. “Congratulations to all of the participants; I know they have been putting in months of preparation to compete. Thank you to all these talented young people for recognizing the role that poetry and artistic expression can play in our lives and for sharing their gifts with us.”

“I hope that the audience takes away a shared sense of feeling and connection from my performance,” says Maiss Hussein – Delaware’s 2023 state finalist. “The poems I chose have a slight emotional aspect to them that can be relatable by me and many others. If you’re able to express a poem, you’re able to express an emotion & possible connection with one hearing it.” Hussein is a junior at Hodgson Vo-Tech, where she is a part of the dental assistant program. Maiss plans to major in and pursue a career in dental hygiene. She is passionate about her field of study and has competed in the Health Occupations Students of America competition. She is active in her school community and is a leader and board member of multiple diversity & equity groups. 

A total of $50,000 in awards and school or organizational stipends will be awarded at the National Finals, including $20,000 for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion, and $10,000 and $5,000 for the second- and third-place finalists. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded for Poetry Out Loud. The Poetry Out Loud National Finals are administered by Mid Atlantic Arts.

National Semifinals—Tuesday, May 9, 2023

On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, the state and jurisdictional champions will compete in one of three National Semifinals between 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET at Lisner Auditorium, The George Washington University, 730 21st Street NW, Washington, DC.  All three Semifinals are free and open to the public—no ticket required.

Each poem recitation will be judged on criteria including physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, evidence of understanding, overall performance, and accuracy. The top three students from each semifinal, nine in total, will move on to the National Finals on May 10. 

• 9:00 a.m. ET—Champions from Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
• 1:00 p.m. ET—Champions from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
• 5:00 p.m. ET—Champions from Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

National Finals—Wednesday, May 10, 2023

On Wednesday, May 10, 2023, the National Finals will take place at 7:00 p.m. ET, also at Lisner Auditorium, and will culminate with the live announcement of the 2023 Poetry Out Loud National Champion. The National Finals are free and open to the public—no ticket required.

Judges include Crisosto Apache, H-Dirksen L. Bauman, J. Nicole Brooks, Guadalupe García McCall, Diana Khoi Nguyen, and Brian Teare. The evening will also include a performance by bilingual singer-songwriter Alisa Amador, winner of the 2022 NPR Tiny Desk Contest.

In addition to the live competition at Lisner Auditorium, both the Semifinals and National Finals can be viewed via a one-time-only live webcast at Arts.gov/Poetry-Out-Loud.

Closed captioning in English and Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided for both the Poetry Out Loud National Semifinals and Finals.

Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using #POL23 and #IAmPoetryOutLoud and follow the National Endowment for the Arts and Poetry Foundation at @PoetryOutLoud, @NEAArts, and @PoetryFound.

The Poetry Out Loud state champions also have the opportunity to compete in the Poetry Ourselves competition by submitting an original work of poetry in one of two categories: either a written poem or a video of a spoken poem. The winner and runner-up in each category will be selected by poet Mahogany L. Browne and announced at the May 10 National Finals competition.

About Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud starts at the classroom/school or at the local level with an area organization. Students memorize and recite poems they select from an anthology of more than 1,200 classic and contemporary poems. Winners then may advance to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.3 million students and 76,000 teachers from 19,000 schools and organizations across the nation have participated in Poetry Out Loud. For more information about Poetry Out Loud and how to participate in the 2023–2024 program, visit poetryoutloud.org.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

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National Contact: Liz Auclair (NEA), auclaire@arts.gov, 202-682-5744

Delaware Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications 302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov

Applications for rising 11th or 12th grade student seat are due April 26, 2023

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Wednesday the application period for the student seat on the State Board of Education is open through April 26, 2023. The application can be found on the State Board of Education website.

Governor Carney appointed the first-ever student representative to the state board in 2019.

“When we make big decisions that impact schools in our state, it’s important Delaware students have a seat at the table,” said Governor Carney. “I have been pleased to hear positive experiences from the Board and the young members year after year. I encourage rising juniors and seniors to consider applying for this opportunity.”

One qualified student applicant will be appointed to the Board to serve as a non-voting member. The student must be a Delaware resident and be enrolled in eleventh or twelfth grade at a Delaware public school during the 2023-2024 academic year. Applicants who demonstrate a commitment to ensuring quality education for Delaware students will be given priority consideration.

“Providing an informed youth voice is important to the Board’s work in representing the citizens voice in Delaware,” said Shawn Brittingham, President of the State Board of Education. “We have learned much from our previous four student Board Members and value the insight that a student brings to conversations regarding policies and programs impacting all students across our state.”

The non-voting student seat was approved by the General Assembly in 2018 with the passage of House Bill 455 – legislation sponsored by Representative Stephanie T. Bolden and Senator Jack Walsh. The Governor annually appoints to the Board an eleventh or twelfth grade student, and a former State Teacher of the Year who also is a current educator.

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