How a winter ice storm became an opportunity for sustainable forest stewardship.

At our last School Board meeting, we approved a preliminary $246 million budget, reviewed student achievement, discussed declining enrollment, rising substitute teacher costs, and continued looking at our buildings, energy expenses, and our Ingrams Pond property. My approach on the Board remains pretty simple: when we spend money on a program, I want to know whether it is working. And when we identify a problem, I want to know what solution we can find.

A seat on the Indian River School District Board of Education is now open, creating a rare opportunity to help shape decisions affecting our students, schools and taxpayers. Applicants must live in District 1, and the deadline is coming up quickly.

Indian River just released 70 pages of student outcome data. So what does it actually tell us? I took a closer look at how our students are doing in reading, math and the SAT, how we compare with Delaware and national benchmarks, where we're improving—and where we clearly have more work to do. Some of the results may surprise you. Click Read More

Delaware has an opportunity to bring approximately $40 million each year to students—without raising taxes or costing taxpayers an extra penny. Governor Matt Meyer simply needs to opt Delaware into the new Federal Education Tax Credit Program. Read how this innovative program lets taxpayers keep more of their education dollars working right here in Delaware, instead of sending those benefits to other states.

The April 27, 2026 Indian River School District Board meeting tackled two issues likely to matter most to families and taxpayers: a possible January 2027 referendum that could significantly raise school taxes by as much as 27%, and growing questions about student reading proficiency and whether struggling third graders are being held back appropriately. Here is a straightforward breakdown of what happened and what the public should be watching.

This spring, we’re bringing oyster gardening to Oyster Bay Drive in Fenwick Island in partnership with the Inland Bays. It’s a simple, hands-on way to restore water quality and support marine life right from your own dock. At Black Forest Wildlife CoExist Foundation, this is what we do—real projects, real impact, right where we live.

When land is cleared for homes, natural tree lines—and the protection they provide—are often lost. At Black Forest Wildlife Preserve, we’re restoring a native windbreak using naturally occurring loblolly pines. It’s a simple, practical approach that protects trees, supports wildlife, and offers a model any property or neighborhood can replicate. Contact us to request loblolly saplings.

The March 23rd, 2026 Indian River School District (IRSD) School Board meeting was one of the more substantive meetings in recent months, with direct input from teachers, community members, and several discussions that raised important questions about district priorities, planning, and accountability. Here is a clear, straightforward breakdown of what happened and what the public should be paying attention to.

Delaware is already taking AI in schools seriously and held an AI Innovation Summit this past Saturday, January 10, 2026. This conference was well attended from educators across the State, with vendors showcasing a wide range of AI products and services for education. The keynote address was delivered by Governor Matt Meyer and Secretary of Education Cindy Marten. Click Read More to learn more!

The November 24th, 2025 Indian River School District (IRSD) School Board meeting covered a lot of ground, everything from construction budgets to reading scores to vaping. For those who couldn’t attend, here’s a clear, conversational walkthrough of what happened, what questions were raised, and what the public should be watching. For more info click Read More.

The Black Forest Wildlife Preserve in Sussex County is a sanctuary where nature thrives and the community actively protects it. From preserving vital habitats to youth-led initiatives like Sussex Teens Are Responsible Stewards (STARS), Ben Parsons and local volunteers are inspiring conservation, education, and stewardship across Delaware.

The Delmarva fox squirrel, once endangered, is a conservation success story in Delaware. Through habitat restoration, tree planting, and preservation efforts, volunteers and programs like the Black Forest Wildlife Coexist Program are ensuring this species continues to thrive for generations to come.

While helping create trails through preserved lands, I learned about habitat fragmentation — how urban development breaks continuous habitats into smaller patches. From lower biodiversity to higher extinction risks, the impact on wildlife is serious. Here’s why preserving open space matters.

Ben Parsons, the 2025 Governor’s Young Environmentalist Award recipient, is making a lasting impact in Delaware. From preserving 60 acres of wildlife habitat to founding Sussex Teens Are Responsible Stewards (STARS), his work inspires conservation, education, and youth empowerment.

Discover how Shiloh Shepherds differ from German and King Shepherds in genetics, appearance, and temperament—built for family, not the field.

Discover the origins, traits, and temperament of the rare and remarkable Shiloh Shepherd. This overview from Parsons Shiloh Shepherds covers everything from breed history to grooming, health, and whether a Shiloh is right for your family.

Discover why ecological preserves are critical to biodiversity, climate stability, clean air and water, and human well-being. Protecting nature is protecting our future.

Please RSVP if you can attend for s'mores and burger count. Email info@sussexteenagerepublicans.com . STARS will meet Saturday February 18

Join Sussex Teenage Republicans for an interesting discussion on pronouns, furries, politics and religion oh my! Followed by a brief ...