The Delaware Department of Justice is reviewing allegations that a Christina School Board member no longer lives in the United States, but officials declined to say whether the department will launch an official investigation.
“We have the ability to investigate for alleged fraudulent activity,” Caroline De Jose, spokeswoman for the DOJ, wrote in an emailed statement. “While I can confirm that the referenced complaint has been brought to our attention and will be reviewed appropriately, we cannot comment on, confirm or deny potentially ongoing investigations.”
The DOJ, at the direction of the state legislature, is already monitoring the board for transparency and adherence to public information laws. Any potential probe into residency concerns would be separate from the year-long monitoring, De Jose said.
The question of Naveed Baqir's residency – and thus his eligibility to continue serving on the board – was raised by fellow board member Doug Manley during a contentious, eight-hour meeting on July 9. During that meeting, Baqir joined a 4-3 majority to indefinitely suspend Superintendent Dan Shelton, which Manley opposed.
Manley raised the issue at the beginning of the meeting, claiming that Baqir has spent more than half the year in his native Pakistan, attending board meetings via Zoom.
He cited a provision of Delaware law that states that when a person ceases to be a resident of the school district, he ceases to be a member of the board.
Manley's point of order was dismissed by Board President Donald Patton.
“What I'm not going to do tonight is entertain this nonsense,” Patton said.
Manley continued to raise objections nearly every time Baqir cast a vote. He later sent a letter to Attorney General Kathy Jennings asking the DOJ to investigate the matter. In an interview, he added that he submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, seeking information about when Baqir has entered and exited the country.
State Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton also raised objections about Baqir continuing to serve on the board.
“That must be addressed. Sure, due process can be part of that, but you can't have a board member who doesn't live in the country,” Wilson-Anton said during last week's board meeting.
Baqir declined to speak on the record regarding his residency and instead referred a reporter to the district's lawyer and to Patton to speak on his behalf.
In an emailed statement, Patton confirmed that Baqir regularly travels abroad to take care of elderly relatives but said he remains a resident as defined by Delaware tax code.
“Despite these circumstances, he has remained dedicated to his responsibilities, missing only one meeting in June,” Patton wrote. “He actively participates in board meetings and assignments and has chaired the policy committee every month, sometimes twice a month. Dr. Baqir’s attendance and participation are in accordance with the remote meetings law recently passed by the Delaware General Assembly. His children attend Delaware schools, and his home and permanent residence are within his representative area.”
Patton called Manley's objections “a distraction by those who defend the mediocrity the board is striving to overcome.”
“Dr. Baqir remains dedicated to his role on the board and to the betterment of our school district,” Patton said. “We ask for the community's support and understanding as he balances his personal obligations with his commitment to serving our students and families.”
Baqir, a co-founder of the Tarbiyah School on Old Baltimore Pike and a former leader of the nonprofit Friends of the Christina School District, has served on the board since 2021, when he defeated incumbent Warren Howell. He had sought a school board seat twice previously. His term expires in June 2026.
If it were determined that his seat is vacant, the board would appoint a replacement to serve until the next school board election in May.
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