JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County School Board members debated Wednesday about the possibility of taking legal action against the Florida Legislature over a new state law that many districts say unfairly favors charter schools, but no decision was made.
The goal seemed to be an open conversation, but at times that conversation became heated Wednesday as members disagreed on how best to serve the district's children.
“We need to send a message to our children that we will fight for them. We must fight for them. That's why we are here. We can't continue to wait,” School Board Chair Paula Wright said. “Please think about if this happens how it impacts children and not relationships, not legislators, not representatives, but the children in our schools.”
House Bill 7069, also known as the Schools of Hope bill, targets chronically failing schools.
Under the bill, two Jacksonville-area middle schools -- Northwest and Matthew Gilbert -- are at high risk of closing and being replaced by charter schools.
Ribault Middle School has to get a C grade next year to be considered safe.
Wright said in all, six Duval County schools are in danger because of the bill.
Jacksonville’s traditional public schools also stand to lose nearly $17 million for capital projects over the next five years because the district has to share that funding with charters.
“I have no qualms, and I will vote right now to initiate litigation on behalf of children in Duval County Public Schools,” Wright said.
Board member Lori Hershey agreed.
“I believe that it is time for school boards across the state to take a bold, strong stand and not be afraid to stand up to Tallahassee,” Hershey said.
Other members, like Scott Shine, were hesitant about the financial hardship filing suit might bring.
“If we participate in a lawsuit, I will guarantee you that will be back to more repercussions and the Legislature in Tallahassee taking action against the district schools and putting more money into charters, so that's going to fuel the fire and create more of a fight and an adversarial relationship,” Shine said.
Broward County was the first school district to file suit over the new law. St. Lucie County has joined and other districts across Florida are considering it. Many are meeting this week.
Duval County's board is seeking advice from general counsel to see what the next steps might be.
WJCT reporter Lindsey Kilbride contributed to this report.