DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Townsend Building 401 Federal Street Suite 2 Dover, Delaware 19901-3639 DOE WEBSITE: http://www.doe.k12.de.us

Mark T. Murphy
Secretary of Education Voice: (302) 735-4000 FAX: (302) 739-4654

April 17, 2013 Frederick Polaski, President Christina School District Board of Education Freeman Williams, Superintendent Christina School District 600 N. Lombard Street Wilmington, DE 19801 Dear Mr. Polaski and Dr. Williams: Pursuant to the provisions of 20 U.S.C. 1232c., this is notice that effective May 1, 2013 the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) intends to withhold from payment to the Christina School District (CSD) the following funds: the entirety of CSDs Race to the Top (RTTT) funding in Year 4 of the grant, which is $2,396,850. This proposed action is as a result of the CSDs failure to substantially comply with its agreement under its state-approved RTTT plan, to develop incentives for teachers to work in highneed schools. To fulfill this commitment, the districts plan outlined an educator engagement process to be completed by spring 2012 that would establish the methodology for distribution of incentives and develop an application procedure tied to evaluation and performance. CSD also pledged to align resources as well as the plan for implementation with the State sponsored incentive assistance program scheduled for implementation in 2012. To date, CSD has not delivered on its commitments. Since November 2011, DDOE has provided CSD with regular notice that its negligible progress toward the pledged objectives was a source of concern. On several occasions, DDOE has offered to assist CSD in its efforts as part of its RTTT district support program. DDOE has actively sought either CSDs cooperation/participation in a state-sponsored initiative or a district created initiative that met the tenets of Objective 5 under a DDOE-approved amendment to its RTTT plan. As of the date of this letter, these efforts have been unsuccessful. The DDOE letters to CSD, dated February 13, 2013 and March 12, 2013, further detail DDOEs conditions for district compliance, and are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. CSDs RTTT grant period is scheduled to end in 2014. Under 20 U.S.C. 1232c CSD has the opportunity for a hearing on this proposed withholding. If CSD wishes to have such a hearing, a written request for it must be made and received by DDOE no later than 4:30 p.m. on, April 30, 2013. If a request for a hearing is received by that date and time, one will be scheduled and you will be provided with the details. If no request for a hearing is received by that date and time, the proposed decision to withhold the above described funds beginning May 1, 2013 becomes final and will be enforced until the district comes into compliance. Respectfully,

Mark T. Murphy Secretary of Education

THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. IT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, DISABILITY, AGE OR VIETNAM ERA VETERANS STATUS IN EMPLOYMENT, OR ITS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVI TIES.