JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It was a jammed-pack house at Tuesday’s Duval County School Board meeting. It was the first meeting since the school district announced it would cut 700 positions due to dwindling enrollment and the end of COVID-19 funding.
The issues were presented to address a $1.4 billion budget gap that the district faces.
Nearly 80 people came to the podium during public comment to share their concerns about the looming teacher cuts and possible school closures.
“I am deeply troubled to find out that 700 positions are going to be cut. Especially since we seem to be in a perpetual teacher shortage. We all know that fewer teachers and bigger class sizes do not work for students or teachers,” Brian Jefferson, a local educator commented.
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Many people advocated for schools like Atlantic Beach Elementary, Stockton Elementary School, Fishweir Elementary, and Holiday Hill Elementary.
Emily McCarthy is an Atlantic Beach resident who said Atlantic Beach Elementary has a nonprofit to support the school.
“ABE was the first to create a nonprofit to support school. Friends of Atlantic Beach Elementary, also known as FABE is a 501c3 that supports every student in our school. FABE’s annual goal is to donate $60,000 to ABE. We exceed that target every year. Atlantic Beach Elementary should be duplicated not demolished,” McCarthy said.
At the beginning of the meeting, Board Chair Darryl Willie noted that potential school closures and consolidations are still in the early stages.