Wilmington City Schools 2025 Strategic Plan & Transportation Update

Superintendent Tim Dettwiller

At the June 25, 2025, Wilmington City School (WCS) Board Meeting, Superintendent Tim Dettwiller, and Director of Business Operations Curt Bone, shared updates about the 2025 Strategic Plan and Transportation Task Force.

According to Dettwiller, the group had 10 meetings with Education Specialist, Dan Roberts, and have now proposed a vision statement that reads, "Empowering students to learn, lead, and serve with purpose." The group also created a mission statement, "Every student to be future ready by providing a safe, diverse, and challenging environment."

In addition, they set four main goals, regarding behavior responses, community support, enhanced learning opportunities, and ensured financial stability. According to Dettwiller, the goals have several action steps below each in order to achieve them. Dettwiller stated, "Each of those action steps... there's a lot of communication, collaboration, engagement all the way through." The formal strategic plan and action steps will be provided at the next board meeting on August 25, 2025.

During the board meeting, Bone shared updates regarding the Transportation Task Force, which was created to solve bussing issues. According to Bone, they have had five meetings since April. To solve the transportation issues, they plan to increase "group stops" in some subdivisions and other areas where it is "feasible." Bone also discussed "rolling blackouts," where they would plan to cut specific bus routes on a given day if needed. The blackouts would rotate and parents would have advanced notice. According to Bone, the blackouts would only be implemented as a safety net . He stated, "If staffing levels increase, this will never even be implemented at all." WCS is also looking at a new routing software that would review the bus routes for the 26–27 school year. This year, WCS will also upgrade their bus camera system to ensure a total of six working cameras per bus. Drivers will also be able to put their own behavioral referrals into the system directly, improving communication and dialogue with principals.

To learn more about WCS, visit wilmingtoncityschools.com.