Why Should Delaware Care?
The Christina School District has been embattled by ongoing lawsuits, disputes, and new legislation over the last year. The departure after just months in office marks another chapter in the district’s ongoing controversies.
On Thursday, Shannon Troncoso announced her resignation from the embattled Christina Board of Education after serving for just five months.
In a press release sent to Spotlight Delaware, Troncoso cited transparency concerns and discriminatory conduct, among other areas, as reasons for her resignation. The release also highlighted a “broader governance culture.”
“The chaos and contention surrounding Christina’s board are not new — they are historical,” Troncoso wrote in the statement. “The environment itself makes it incredibly difficult for any board member, past or present, to create meaningful change. Without transparency and shared accountability, the work becomes performative rather than productive.”
Her resignation comes less than two months after the board voted to declare then-board member Naveed Baqir’s seat vacant on the claim that he has not lived in his district – or Delaware – for over a year.
When Baqir’s seat was declared vacant in October, Board President Monica Moriak told Spotlight Delaware that Christina Superintendent Deirdra Joyner’s office would notify the Delaware Department of Elections of a vacancy in the elected seat. After the vacancy is officially announced, the board could accept applications from anyone interested in filling in until the next election.
On Dec. 8, the board will be holding a “candidate forum” to interview its applicants. The board will ultimately appoint a new member.
Board President Monica Moriak told Spotlight Delaware the process to fill Troncoso’s vacancy will mirror that of Baqir’s. Once the district posts the application request, it’ll be open through the holidays until the beginning of January, she said.
Christina board members respond
Moriak also said she wished Troncoso the best, noting, “I believe that people should make sure that themselves and their families are taken care of.”
In a statement to Spotlight Delaware, board member Donald Patton said he has not spoken to Troncoso, but has read her resignation letter and supports the decision.
“In my opinion, Shannon did what was necessary for her mental and physical health,” Patton said. “I fully support her decision and am sorry to see her leave.”
Both Patton and Troncoso voted against declaring Baqir’s seat vacant in the October board meeting.
Board member Doug Manley, who has sparred with Troncoso in recent months, said in a statement to Spotlight Delaware that he believes her resignation “continues our board’s trend toward strong governance.”
Troncoso was elected in May to replace Alethea Smith-Tucker, who opted not to run for reelection.
Despite her departure from the board, Troncoso noted in the press release that she is not stepping away from advocating for the district’s families.
“I am proud of the transparency conversations I initiated and the accountability efforts I attempted to move forward,” she said. “My decision to resign is not about stepping away from advocacy — it’s about stepping into a space where I can be more effective on behalf of students and families.”