Although she already holds a seat on the board, Cynthia McKenzie is running to retain her seat as it was as temporary appointment when Dr. Adam Brownstein stepped down. McKenzie served as principal of Lulu M. Ross Elementary School before retiring.
“I am not a native Delawarean as I grew up in Western Pennsylvania,” McKenzie said. “I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh. My husband, Patrick, and I moved to Delaware 40 years ago when he took the Director of Physical Therapy position at Milford Memorial Hospital.”
McKenzie earned her master’s degree from the University of Delaware and her administration certificate from Wilmington University. McKenzie and her husband have two daughters, Dr. Michele McKenzie Davis and Morgan McKenzie Webb, PMHNP.
“Both our children went through Milford School District where I believe they received an excellent education which enabled them to become successful adults,” McKenzie said. “Michele currently teaches at Lulu Ross and Morgan maintains a private practice in Dover.”
Outside of two years of teaching in Pennsylvania, McKenzie’s 39 years in education was in Milford. She taught at various grade levels, first through sixth, was a remedial reading and gifted teacher as well. She spent her last 14 years as principal at Ross. Her first teaching positions were fifth and sixth grade at the old Milford Middle School and she taught two years at Banneker in the “old building” before transitioning to Ross.
“Over the past 37 years, I have had the opportunity to work with five different superintendents and their administration,” McKenzie said. “In addition, I have experienced numerous changes in the school board members. As a former parent, teacher and administrator in Milford School District, I feel my experiences with the various district roles have provided me with a unique insight into how decisions made by the board might affect the students and staff within the district. This experience has given me perspective on how decisions might create challenges for not only teachers and principals, but for our students and families as well. My hope is to be able to advise those who may not have the same insight so we can continue to make positive changes for all stakeholders.”
As a current member of the board, McKenzie feels that the biggest challenge is maintaining and/or expanding current facilities to meet growing student enrollment. The state has not issued certificates of necessity in order to fund projects for the past several years and some of the buildings are in need of upgrades and general overall improvements.
“One thing I am hoping to advocate for is some type of childcare for MSD staff,” McKenzie said. “Our district has lost several quality staff members because of daycare costs. Some surrounding districts are able to offer onsite daycare and/or reduction in financial responsibility for staff. This was a situation I faced as an administrator. If we want to raise or improve our test results, it is vital that we retain the most qualified staff. Daycare opportunities could attract staff who might otherwise go elsewhere. Having daycare within district could also help with maintaining more consistency for students whose teachers might call out due to daycare issues.”
McKenzie believes that s someone with 37 years’ experience in the district she has the unique advantage of working with many of the current teachers, principals and district administrators.
“Some of them were my teaching co-workers, former students, friends of my children and even my family,” McKenzie said. “I feel the close bonds I developed within the community over the years will be an asset to our board. Milford is a small community; it is important that everyone within our community work together to grow our students; they are our future leaders and caregivers. I have always been a proud supporter of Milford School District, and I hope to continue to serve the district as a member of the school board.”
If elected, McKenzie will continue to serve Area C on the school board. The filing deadline for Milford School Board is Friday, March 7 at 4:30 PM. Currently, three seats are up for re-election in Milford, Area C, Area D and At-Large. McKenzie currently holds the Area C seat and Board-Vice-President Matt Bucher chose not to run for the At-Large Seat at the end of his term. As of February 11, no one has filed to run for the Area D seat currently held by Board President Scott Fitzgerald.
School Board elections are scheduled for May 12, 2026, from 7 AM to 8 PM. Anyone living in Milford School District over the age of 18 may vote. Only those living in Area C or D may vote for those candidates.
