ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – The Atlantic Beach City Commission ruled unanimously in support of a proposal requesting the Duval County School Board to ensure that Atlantic Beach Elementary School will remain open after the school board said it’s looking to consolidate and close several schools.
The proposed closure is to tackle a $1.4 billion budget gap.
Several people voiced their thoughts about the potential closure in the commission meeting. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and Councilman Rory Diamond also weighed in on the proposal.
“I think they’re really just trying to look for ways to be efficient, and I think it’s our job and your job to make sure they know this is not one of those schools they should be looking to close,” Deegan said.
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“Atlantic Beach has a lot of historical and sentimental value. And Atlantic Beach I ruled as a parent, I ruled as a public educator and I also voted keeping in mind that I’m an elected official for my city and this is our only school within our city limits. So there was no other way to vote,” Jessica Ring said.
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If DCPS decided to close the school, parents would have to drive about two miles away to take their children to school.
Parents like Florinda Mangani are happy to have the city commission’s support.
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“We are going to support Atlantic Beach Elementary. We’re standing by our city officials. And we’re so happy that they unanimously are standing by us,” Mangani said.
The city commission plans to have a dialogue with people in the community next Saturday at Donner Park to discuss any questions about the proposal.
The ‘Save Atlantic Beach Elementary’ group plans also to have a community conversation at the Community Presbyterian Fellowship Hall on 150 Sherry Drive on Wednesday, April 10 at 6 p.m.