Delaware ASPIRA CEO Steps Down Immediately

Leadership Transition at ASPIRA Delaware

On March 23, the ASPIRA school community received a brief notice that its chief executive officer, Margie López Waite, would be leaving the organization effective immediately. This announcement came as a surprise to many, given the significant role López Waite played in shaping the charter school’s trajectory.

López Waite, an influential education leader, was instrumental in establishing Delaware’s first dual-language charter school, Las Américas ASPIRA Academy, in 2011. The one-page letter sent to staff did not provide a specific reason for her departure. However, the school leadership later issued a statement to Delaware Online/The News Journal on March 24, explaining that López Waite had chosen to retire and pass the leadership to the next generation.

“ASPIRA Delaware’s Chief Executive Officer, Margie Lopez Waite, has chosen to retire and pass the leadership to the next generation that will guide us into the future,” said Board President Guillermina Gonzalez. “Yesterday’s letter was intended to be an internal communication to begin that transition and not to be our external statement as the public announcement of her retirement.”

The board confirmed that a national search will commence for the next CEO, while school operations will continue as normal under existing leadership. An upcoming board meeting scheduled for March 25 also includes a report from K-8 Head of School José Avilés Rivera.

Growth and Impact of ASPIRA Schools

López Waite’s tenure saw the expansion of ASPIRA schools from around 300 K-5 students to over 1,400 across both the academy and ASPIRA High School. As recognized in Philadelphia’s “Titan 100” list of CEOs in 2025, she played a pivotal role in growing the organization. ASPIRA of Delaware, following more than 50 years of vision from its national affiliate, aimed to support Latino youth in the area through educational opportunities.

López Waite began her career as a teacher in the public school system, later serving as the first principal and eventually as the chief executive. The board expressed gratitude for her contributions, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring continuity and stability for students, teachers, and families.

“We are grateful to Margie for her contributions to ASPIRA and her commitment to our students, staff and community during her tenure,” the board stated. “Our priority at this time is to ensure continuity, stability and ongoing support for our students, teachers and families.”

López Waite did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication, nor was she quoted in the board’s letter.

Community Reactions and Ongoing Challenges

When contacted for comment on March 24, a spokesperson from the Delaware Department of Education mentioned they had not been briefed. Kendall Masset, executive director of the Delaware Charter Schools Network, indicated that the school’s statement should speak for itself. The board acknowledged that some members of the community may have more questions but emphasized their confidence in the leadership team and commitment to providing a high-quality education.

ASPIRA Delaware has faced its share of challenges. Last spring, eight school buses of students from ASPIRA High were transported to Ogletown Baptist Church after a staff member accidentally fired their gun at the school. While no harm came to the students, a bus driver and member of school staff unintentionally shot himself in the leg.

Additionally, near the start of the previous school year, López Waite and her leadership team faced multiple teacher resignations. Four teachers resigned around the same time, which the then-CEO described as “very shocking” in a small school community. At the time, she attributed the resignations to dissatisfaction with the selection process for the high school’s next head of school.

Future Prospects and Legacy

Despite these challenges, López Waite oversaw significant growth within the ASPIRA community. She witnessed the graduation of the first high school class in May 2024, marking a milestone for the school. The institution expanded from a partial warehouse to two schools with a cafeteria and gym. A new Las Americas ASPIRA Academy dual-language school is still envisioned in Georgetown, though it will likely open in 2027, a year later than planned.

” We wish her well in her future endeavors, though we know she will always be an Aspirante!” said President Gonzalez.