JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There is a proposal on the table to close nearly 30 Duval County Public Schools, part of a wide-ranging effort to save money amid falling enrollment and rising costs.
The school board is considering a plan that calls for school consolidation in an effort to keep classrooms full and minimize costly building upgrades.
That means rezoning could be on the horizon for thousands of Duval County students.
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A shortfall of $1.4 billion for building and maintenance projects funded by the half-cent sales tax has school leaders back at the drawing board when it comes to the district’s long-term plans.
For one Duval County resident, who didn’t want us to use her last name because her husband is a teacher, it doesn’t seem like a good idea.
“Anytime change comes about, there’s an adjustment process. Some kids can adjust and some kids may not.” Elaine said.
One of the schools proposed for closure is Westside High, where nearly 1,600 students are enrolled.
Under that plan, most students currently zoned for Westside would go to Ed White High, which is about three and a half miles north of Westside.
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The district had originally planned to replace the dated building for an estimated $65 million, but the projected cost more than doubled with inflation.
According to the district’s analysis, shuttering Westside High rather than rebuilding it would save about $154 million, money from the half-cent sales tax that could then be invested to update other schools, like Ed White High.
“The school board is in a hard place. However, it is their responsibility to ensure that our kids get the best education they can in the best schools that they can give them,” Elaine said.
These school closures are just proposed at this point.
A spokesperson for DCPS said it will soon launch a districtwide engagement process where you can make your voice heard on this matter, but a specific timeline was not provided.