William Weller

William Weller

Education

Bachelor's

University of Delaware

Other

Villanova University

Personal

Profession

Paralegal

William W. Weller was a candidate for at-large representative on the Appoquinimink School District school board in Delaware. He lost his bid for the one open seat up for election on May 12, 2015.

In an interview with the Middletown Transcript, Weller emphasized the U.S. Route 301 construction project, class sizes, teacher salaries and administrative costs as his main concerns for the district, stating that on these issues "the board’s decisions have been contrary to the well-being of the district." He stated further:

“	Although being aware of U.S. Route 301 project impacts, the board has not held one public meeting to advise the community of the project’s impacts upon the students and personnel. Appoquinimink is the best school district in the state, but it pays the teachers the lowest salary in the county, and fourth lowest in the state. Although the 2012 referendum was offered to prevent class size increases, ironically, the class-size waivers percentage has increased each year since 2012. Even with these concerns, the board still believed it was necessary to approve the superintendent’s contract at the June 2014 board meeting with no notice to the public, which included a 50-70 percent increase.	”
—William Weller (2015)

A first time candidate for the board, Weller faced the most competitive election in the past 16 years for the district. It was also the most competitive election among Delaware's largest school districts in 2015.

Biography

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Weller earned a B.A. in criminal justice from the University of Delaware in 1994 and completed Villanova University's A.B.A. Approved Paralegal Education course in 2002. He has worked as a paralegal since completing the program in 2002. He is also the president of the Airmont Civic Association.

Elections

2015

See also: Appoquinimink School District elections (2015)

Opposition

One of the five seats on the Appoquinimink Board of Education was up for election on May 12, 2015. At-large incumbent Julie Johnson's seat was up for election. Newcomer candidate Michelle Myers Wall won the election.

While Johnson did not file to run for re-election, the following eight candidates filed to seek the open seat: Joanne Christian, Tara Greathouse, Michelle Myers Wall, Debbie Harrington, Dainelle Hampton-Morton, Mark Heck, Ryan Scott and William Weller. However, Hampton-Morton and Heck withdrew from the race in time to have their names excluded from the ballot.

Results

Appoquinimink School District, At-Large General Election, 5-year term, 2015
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Nonpartisan	Michelle Myers Wall	55.9%	609
	Nonpartisan	Debbie Harrington	19.8%	216
	Nonpartisan	Joanne Christian	10.7%	117
	Nonpartisan	Tara Greathouse	8.9%	97
	Nonpartisan	William Weller	2.4%	26
	Nonpartisan	Ryan Scott	2.2%	24
Total Votes				1,089
Source: Department of Elections for New Castle County, "Appoquinimink School District: May 12, 2015 School Board Election," accessed May 28, 2015

Funding

Weller reported no contributions or expenditures to the Delaware Commissioner of Elections as of May 7, 2015.

Endorsements

Weller received no official endorsements as of April 1, 2015.

Campaign themes

2015

Weller participated in a candidate question-and-answer with the Middletown Transcript. The questions and his responses are below:

“	Q Why are you running for the school board seat? A I am running to be a member of the Appoquinimink School Board because I believe that I have the necessary attributes, determination and background to ensure that the board’s policy and related decisions will adequately represent the community’s views and concerns, protect the district’s students and staff, and establish the appropriate fiscal policy. I believe in many ways, the board’s decisions have been contrary to the well-being of the district. Although being aware of U.S. Route 301 project impacts, the board has not held one public meeting to advise the community of the project’s impacts upon the students and personnel. Appoquinimink is the best school district in the state, but it pays the teachers the lowest salary in the county, and fourth lowest in the state. Although the 2012 referendum was offered to prevent class size increases, ironically, the class-size waivers percentage has increased each year since 2012. Even with these concerns, the board still believed it was necessary to approve the superintendent’s contract at the June 2014 board meeting with no notice to the public, which included a 50-70 percent increase. I believe the rationale, if any, is lacking in the board’s decisions. If elected, I will adequately represent the community’s interests. Q What are the three most important issues that you think are affecting the district? A Health related impacts from the U.S. Route 301 project upon students and staff of the district is the most pressing issue. Simply, if your child attends and/or you work at Bunker Hill Elementary, Appoquinimink High School, Cedar Lane ECC, or Cedar Lane Elementary, you will have health impacts from this project. As many may know, I presented these concerns to the Appoquinimink School Board in January, March, and April 2014, and provided testimony to the Legislature’s Bond Committee in March 2014. Critically, Bunker Hill was never studied in DelDOT’s studies, even though it will by far be the closest school impacted by 301 project, and PM2.5 (a roadway toxic) is “…one of the worst air pollutants endangering public health.” (Dr. Craft). Next issue is class sizes and teachers’ salaries. The 2012 referendum passed, but the class-size waiver percentage has increased each year. Also in 2012, the Appoquinimink’s average teacher’s salary was the lowest in the county, and fourth lowest in the state. Unfortunately, that holds true today as well. In 2012, the district had the highest percentage for administrative expenses, and is the same today. At the November 2014 board meeting, I expressed concern to the board regarding approval of the 50-70 percent increase in superintendent’s contract. Q What would you do as a school board member to address those issues? A For U.S. Route 301 issues, I would request that DelDOT immediately present their studies and findings to the board and, more importantly, the community at a board meeting. The AG’s Office issued an opinion in October 2014 that the board violated FOIA with respect to 301 project, but the board never advised the community. The board represents the interests of the community, and as such, they should ensure that the students and staff are adequately informed and protected from the impacts. I would make it a priority that that the district stays within the class-size limits, and also ensure that our teachers are not the lowest paid. Although the board doesn’t believe so, the superintendent’s contract is the public’s business. I would ensure that the board explains the reasons for or against any increase in the contract, and any other matters. Unfortunately this board has indicated to the Attorney General that it is not the public’s business, and that the board is not obligated to provide the community with accurate statements as to the contract’s terms. This is a disturbing position by the board, and if elected, I will ensure that the community is adequately and accurately informed of the board’s matters.	”
—William Weller (2015)

Recent news

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William Weller News Feed

See also

• Appoquinimink School District, Delaware
• Appoquinimink School District elections (2015)
• Analysis of incumbency advantage in the 2014 school board elections

External links

Suggest a link

• Appoquinimink School District