Christina

School District Statement Regarding the Statewide Autism Program:

February 12, 2019

On January 11, 2019, the Christina School District removed a posting for the position of Director
of the Statewide Autism Program, a position that has been posted nationally 10 times by the
district since October 2016, and most recently was posted by the district from August 22 to
September 20, 2018, October 5 to October 22, 2018, and October 23 to November 26, 2018.
There has been no successful candidate from any of these postings.

On January 25, 2019, district officials received an email from the Delaware Secretary of
Education stating, “the personnel associated with the state’s autism program are now part of
the DOE team.” In that email she referenced a memo dated October 9, 2018, from the
Delaware Office of Management and Budget Director and the Delaware Controller General,
stating, “the Department of Education must now act in the program administration role.”
District officials were informed that “the DOE’s Director of Human Resources will then proceed
with the advertising, interviewing and hiring process.” Upon this notification, the
Superintendent reached out to the Secretary of Education to ask for clarification and,
subsequently, the district’s HR Department was directed to remove the posting for Director of
the Statewide Autism Program.

Please note that this discussion with the Delaware Department of Education relates only to the
statewide programs under the auspices of the Director of the Statewide Autism Program. The
Statewide Director’s Office is not the Delaware Autism Program (DAP) run by the district. The
DAP program is an educationally based program for students with autism, serving students
placed in the program by districts in New Castle County. The Statewide Director’s Office
provides support to districts throughout the state, providing guidance to adults who have
oversight responsibilities of students with autism. The Statewide Director’s Office also provides
oversight for the statewide respite program and group homes. There is no impact on the
Delaware Autism Program (DAP) at Brennen School or satellite programs in Christina School
District schools. To ensure continuity during the recruitment period, the Christina School
District and the Delaware Department of Education have agreed to employ the outgoing
Statewide Director, Dr. Winterling, as a consultant. That contract is currently in effect.

District officials are continuing discussions with the Delaware Department of Education
regarding the administration of the Statewide Autism Program.

The Christina School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed,
religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship or ancestry, age,
disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity, against victims of domestic
violence, sexual offenses, or stalking, or upon any other categories protected by federal, state, or local law. Inquiries regarding
compliance with the above may be directed to the Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator, Christina School District, 600 North
Lombard Street, Wilmington, DE 19801; Telephone: (302) 552-2600.