05/20/2026
Our school nurses and counselors show up for students far beyond the classroom, and with their additional education, training, and professional certifications, they deserve to be recognized and supported fairly for the work they do every single day.
Recently, a Delaware school nurse reached out to raise concerns that the national certification process for school nurses is comparable to National Board Certification for teachers, yet the salary supplement was not being treated the same despite the additional education, training, and professional standards required. As conversations continued with the Department of Education, it also became clear that nationally certified school counselors complete similarly rigorous certification processes that equally deserve recognition and support.
This afternoon, Sen. Marie Pinkney and I introduced legislation that would help correct this inequity in our system. HB 425 increases the salary supplement for nationally certified school nurses and school counselors from 6% to 12%, recognizing the expertise, dedication, and care these professionals bring to Delaware students every single day.
Thank you to the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), the Delaware School Boards Association (DSBA), and the Delaware State Education Association for working with us on this measure. I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts as we work to get this bill through the House and Senate.
