Long Range Facilities Planning

Dilinda Bonville Deshields was born and raised in Rehoboth Beach and is a proud 1999 graduate of Cape Henlopen High School. She works as a paraeducator at Love Creek Elementary School and serves as Program Director for the West Rehoboth Children and Youth Program, which supports children and families throughout the Cape Henlopen community

Ms. Bonville Deshields is the mother of three children, including two Cape graduates and a current Cape student. Her professional service, volunteer work, and deep family roots have allowed her to build strong relationships throughout the district. Her experience working directly with students and families provides the committee with an important community perspective and an understanding of how school facilities and district planning decisions affect the people who use those facilities each day.

Dr. Elizabeth Cherico serves as the inaugural principal of Little Vikings and has extensive experience in early childhood education, special education, instructional leadership, and inclusive programming. She began her career with the Cape Henlopen School District as a paraprofessional and later served as a special education teacher, case manager, special education coordinator, and assistant principal.

As principal of Little Vikings, Dr. Cherico has helped strengthen the program through instructional leadership, staff development, family partnerships, and the development of systems that support high quality and inclusive early childhood education. Her experience provides the committee with an understanding of the specialized facilities and programming needed to serve young children and students with disabilities. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that every child deserves a sense of belonging and access to a high quality educational experience.

Dr. Clara Conn serves as Principal of Milton Elementary School in the Cape Henlopen School District and has dedicated 24 years to public education. Throughout her career, she has served as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. These roles have provided her with extensive experience in curriculum, instructional leadership, school improvement, educational planning, and the development of engaging, inclusive, and rigorous learning environments that support the success of every student.

Dr. Conn has strong personal and professional ties to the Cape Henlopen community. She lives in Milton with her family, her husband is also an educator in the district, and their two children attend Cape schools. Her experience in educational leadership, strategic planning, collaboration, and public service has allowed her to work closely with students, families, staff, and community partners. Dr. Conn brings an elementary school perspective to the committee and is committed to ensuring that Cape’s future facilities support strong educational programs and the evolving needs of students and families.

Dave Frederick serves as Athletics Administrator for the Cape Henlopen School District, where he oversees athletic programming at the high school and middle school levels. He previously served as Principal of Beacon Middle School and was selected to serve as the inaugural Principal of Frederick D. Thomas Middle School. In that role, he helped guide the school through the final stages of construction, opening, and the development of its educational programs and school culture.

Mr. Frederick is a longtime Cape educator and administrator with extensive experience in school leadership, student programming, facility use, and community engagement. He was recognized as the 2023 Delaware Association of School Administrators Principal of the Year. His experience leading both an established middle school and the opening of a new school provides the committee with practical knowledge of how facility design, construction, programming, athletics, and daily operations affect students and staff. He is committed to ensuring that Cape’s schools and athletic facilities provide safe, inclusive, and positive experiences for all students.

Rich Godbout is a mortgage professional and team manager with Synergy One Lending, bringing 24 years of experience serving homebuyers and homeowners nationwide, with a particular focus on the Washington metropolitan area and the Delaware beaches. He has built a reputation as a leading mortgage originator and has received the Scotsman Guide Top Originator Award. He has also been recognized by Washingtonian Magazine through its Best Mortgage Professionals and Elite Producers designations. These honors reflect his professional performance and the trust he has developed with clients and referral partners throughout his career.

Mr. Godbout is actively involved in the Cape Henlopen community. He previously served as Vice President of the Beacon Middle School Parent Teacher Organization and currently serves as Treasurer of the Cape Men’s Soccer Booster Club. He is also a dedicated volunteer with the Dewey Business Partnership and other events that support the local business community. Rich lives at the beach with his wife, Julie, their son, Brody, a member of Cape’s Class of 2030, and their dogs, Rocky and Ozzy. His experience in finance, housing, community involvement, and regional growth provides the committee with a valuable perspective on Cape’s future facility needs.

Joe Graziano is a semi-retired business owner with 40 years of experience in financial services, building and development, commercial real estate, and the security industry. Born and raised in New York City, he holds college degrees in Accounting and Finance and has been a member of the Lewes community since relocating to the area five years ago.

Joe previously served as Chairman of the Public Works Committee for his homeowners association in Pennsylvania. The community included 3,200 custom homes, 70 miles of private roads, 5,000 acres, and an annual public works budget of $1.5 million. He also served for seven years as a certified EMT with a volunteer ambulance corps in New York City, including five years on its Board of Directors as Treasurer.

Dr. Jason S. Hale serves as Director of Operations for the Cape Henlopen School District, where he provides districtwide leadership for facilities, transportation, Child Nutrition Services, technology, and capital planning. He oversees the daily operations of these departments while coordinating facility improvements, infrastructure projects, long range planning, and the operational services that support Cape’s students, staff, and schools. He also works closely with district leadership on budgeting, financial planning, enrollment growth, building capacity, and future capital needs.

Dr. Hale has more than 25 years of experience in public school finance and operations, including previous service as a school district Chief Financial Officer and Director of Business. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in school leadership from the University of Delaware and his doctorate in educational leadership from Wilmington University. He is a licensed Delaware Certified Public Accountant and has taught graduate and doctoral courses at Wilmington University since 2002. Dr. Hale co facilitates Cape’s Long Range Facilities Planning Committee with Dr. LouAnn Hudson.

Dr. Janis Hanwell is a former Cape Henlopen assistant superintendent with 31 years of experience in public education, including service as a special education teacher, principal, and district administrator. She served as project director for the construction of Cape Henlopen High School and has extensive experience in facilities planning and long range district planning. She has also participated in residential construction and renovation projects through her many years of service with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.

Dr. Hanwell is currently serving her third term on the Cape Henlopen Board of Education and serves as Vice President. She represents Delaware in the National School Boards Association’s Delegate Assembly and serves as Vice President of the Delaware School Boards Association Board of Directors and as a member of its Legislative Priorities Committee. She holds advanced degrees in fine arts, special education, and educational leadership and is committed to providing safe, sustainable school facilities that support high quality learning for all students.

Dr. LouAnn Hudson serves as Assistant Superintendent of the Cape Henlopen School District where she provides districtwide leadership in support of teaching, learning, student achievement, and the implementation of Cape’s strategic plan. She works closely with district and school administrators to strengthen curriculum, instruction, professional development, student services, and continuous improvement efforts. Her responsibilities also include helping align district resources, programs, and facilities with the educational needs of Cape’s students and staff.

Dr. Hudson brings more than 30 years of experience in public education, including service as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, curriculum administrator, and Cape’s Director of Teaching and Learning. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from West Virginia University, her master’s degree from Wilmington University, and her doctorate in school leadership from the University of Delaware. Dr. Hudson has received several statewide honors for her leadership in curriculum and music education. She co-facilitates Cape’s Long Range Facilities Planning Committee with Dr. Jason Hale.

Calvin Jackson serves as President of the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation, where he supports programs and opportunities that benefit students throughout the Cape Henlopen School District. He is also actively involved with Cape students through his service as a mentor to two students in the district. These roles provide him with a direct understanding of the importance of community partnerships and the effect that district decisions have on students and families.

Mr. Jackson retired from the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, in 2016. During his federal career, he served as Deputy Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison. His experience in organizational leadership, public communication, and community engagement provides the committee with a valuable perspective as it considers long range facility priorities and how those priorities should be communicated to the Cape community.