JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On Thursday, Duval County board members voted unanimously to choose the former superintendent of Lee County Dr. Christopher Bernier to be the next superintendent of Duval County Public Schools.
Bernier comes to the district as it faces financial challenges, teacher shortages, safety concerns and multiple misconduct reports.
Recommended Videos
He said he’s humbled and excited about the future and he’s already looking to make connections with local leaders.
“Why wouldn’t you want a job like the one that’s available in Duval. Challenges are part of what superintendents and their team and their school boards tackle together, along with the input and the value of community that is Duval County,” Bernier said.
Bernier served as Lee County’s superintendent from 2022 through this year. He resigned early last month, two days after applying for the superintendent job in Duval County. Lee County has 100,000 students, compared to Duval’s roughly 130,000.
Bernier’s resume says he led the planning for Hurricane Ian (which devastated Lee County), improved student safety by adopting the Florida Guardian program, and boosted employee salary and compensation by 14.5% in two years.
What do you think about the school district’s decision? Let us know below.