I learned recently that Mr. Joseph Schell had stepped down from a board member position at Sussex Academy, a charter school in Georgetown. Joe Schell should be lauded for his humanitarian work and dedication to the community. While his “projects” have been legion, I specifically want to express my gratitude and praise for his work at Sussex Academy. Assuredly, the original founders — with Bill Pfaff as board president and Nancy Feichtl and Allen Stafford as its school leaders — crafted a marvelous middle school in the year 2000. Later, Joe became involved when a group sought to expand Sussex Academy to include a high school. From that time on, Joe’s energy, leadership and passion about quality education and its impact upon our communities ensured that Sussex Academy students would continue to enjoy excellent facilities and expansion of its athletic program opportunities. Joe engineered the successful “swap” between Delmarva Christian School and Sussex Academy, so the academy was able to enact a new charter and expand to become a school for grades six through 12. Joe was a “quick study” about what made a quality educational program, while he guided the school in how to develop its financial capacity through gifts and donations, as well as ensured that the physical plant was built out. Joe’s business acumen was indispensable to Sussex Academy’s expansion of its physical facility, playing fields and visible presence in the community. I’m sure his influence was felt when Sussex Academy added its elementary program at The Jefferson School site in 2020.
I did not want to let this moment pass without ensuring that the public knows about the extraordinary impact Joe Schell had on Sussex Academy. Without question, he has been the “guide on the side,” who made it possible for the facility to expand from its initial middle school into a K-12 charter school, which provides a highly competitive academic and athletic program in Sussex County. Thank you to Joe Schell — a true gentleman and benefactor to education and the community.
Patricia S. Oliphant
Georgetown
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