JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – At a jammed-pack Duval County School Board meeting Tuesday night, many community members voiced their concerns about the district’s announcement that it will have to cut 700 positions due to dwindling enrollment and the end of COVID-19 funding.
But interim Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Dana Kriznar said there was a spot of good news about the cuts.
As the board worked through the budget over the past few days, they realized the funding is there to put middle schools back on their previous seven-period schedules.
“We were able to add back about 70 positions to middle schools,” Kriznar said. "Our first priority is always teachers and classrooms, and I needed to present a balanced budget.”
The board is trying to make up for a $1.4 billion budget gap and is also considering a master facility plan that could close nearly 30 schools an would impact nearly every DCPS student.
Nearly 80 people came to the podium during public comment Tuesday night to share their concerns about the looming teacher cuts and possible school closures.
At the beginning of the meeting, Board Chair Darryl Willie noted that potential school closures and consolidations are still in the early stages.
MORE: School Board announces two finalists for Duval County superintendent
The Board also announced the dates for seven community meetings where the public will be able to voice concerns about the master facility plan.
Also on Tuesday, the Board selected two finalists for the superintendent position.