INSIDER
Newly sworn-in DCPS superintendent says safety is ‘paramount’ as school board approves $1.4M misconduct settlement
Read full article: Newly sworn-in DCPS superintendent says safety is ‘paramount’ as school board approves $1.4M misconduct settlementDr. Christopher Bernier was sworn in as the new Duval County Public Schools superintendent.
Some wonder if their voices are being heard amid plan that could close nearly 30 schools. DCPS says it is listening
Read full article: Some wonder if their voices are being heard amid plan that could close nearly 30 schools. DCPS says it is listeningDuval County Public Schools will host its last community meeting Thursday evening to discuss the proposed Master Facility Plan that would potentially close nearly 30 schools across the district.
Incoming Duval County superintendent listens to school closure concerns, takes notes at Master Facility Plan meeting
Read full article: Incoming Duval County superintendent listens to school closure concerns, takes notes at Master Facility Plan meetingIncoming Duval Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier made his second appearance at a community meeting to hear from the parents about the proposed Master Facility Plan.
‘Best and final offer’: Incoming superintendent, DCPS agree to $320,000 salary proposal following weekend negotiations
Read full article: ‘Best and final offer’: Incoming superintendent, DCPS agree to $320,000 salary proposal following weekend negotiationsFollowing negotiations over the weekend, the district is now offering Dr. Chris Bernier a base salary of $320,000, but without many of the perks the incoming superintendent originally asked for.
DCPS chair says school board reviewed ‘comparable’ salary rates across Florida before making counteroffer
Read full article: DCPS chair says school board reviewed ‘comparable’ salary rates across Florida before making counterofferAfter the Duval County school board presented the counteroffer for incoming Superintendent Dr. Chris Bernier’s $350,000 salary proposal, the DCPS chair said it’s normal to have back and forth during contract negotiations.
Panelists discuss the future of public education as DCPS faces looming issues
Read full article: Panelists discuss the future of public education as DCPS faces looming issuesAs the future of public education in Jacksonville will likely look different over the next couple of years, the Jacksonville Public Education Fund gave people an opportunity to hear from panelists.
School Board chair, parents take part in panel discussion on school closures proposal, other issues for Duval County
Read full article: School Board chair, parents take part in panel discussion on school closures proposal, other issues for Duval CountyDuval County School Board Chairman Darryl Willie will join parents and other stakeholders Tuesday night for a panel discussion about issues the district is facing.
Duval County School Board to form focus groups on potential school consolidation
Read full article: Duval County School Board to form focus groups on potential school consolidationWednesday, DCPS staff presented a proposed framework for making sure stakeholders' voices are heard in a process that could see schools consolidated in Duval County.
The search for the next Duval superintendent is in its final stretch, but you can still make your voice heard
Read full article: The search for the next Duval superintendent is in its final stretch, but you can still make your voice heardAn extensive search process for the next superintendent of Duval County Public Schools could soon come to an end after finalists wrapped up on-site interviews on Tuesday.
Duval school board discusses declining enrollment, ongoing investigation, superintendent search with city council
Read full article: Duval school board discusses declining enrollment, ongoing investigation, superintendent search with city councilThe Jacksonville City Council joined with the Duval County School Board on Wednesday morning to hear about some of the school district’s key issues.
DCPS says changing middle school schedules saved 70 positions of 700 district will have to cut
Read full article: DCPS says changing middle school schedules saved 70 positions of 700 district will have to cutIt 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.
School Board announces dates for community meetings to discuss school closures, consolidation
Read full article: School Board announces dates for community meetings to discuss school closures, consolidationIt 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.
Jacksonville NAACP hopes community town hall on DCPS school closures plan can ‘clear up misinformation’
Read full article: Jacksonville NAACP hopes community town hall on DCPS school closures plan can ‘clear up misinformation’The Jacksonville NAACP will host a town hall meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Beaver Enterprise Center for community members to voice their concerns about the imminent school closures.
Duval County School Board set to approve first 5 years of controversial consolidation plan later this year
Read full article: Duval County School Board set to approve first 5 years of controversial consolidation plan later this yearThe workshop gave the first look at a potential timeline for public school consolidation in Duval County.
Chair says Duval County School Board will seek community input before deciding to close any schools
Read full article: Chair says Duval County School Board will seek community input before deciding to close any schoolsThe Duval County public school landscape could look very different - in the next few years. Two dozen schools are on the chopping block or could be consolidated.
School board opts to move consolidation of 2 Duval County elementary schools to 2025
Read full article: School board opts to move consolidation of 2 Duval County elementary schools to 2025The Duval County School Board decided to push back the consolidation of R.L. Brown Elementary School and R.V. Daniels Elementary School by one year to give parents the same amount of time to adjust to the changes as other parents received for previous school consolidations.
Student says there’s an ‘epidemic of sexual harassment’ in Duval schools, urges district to expand Title IX awareness
Read full article: Student says there’s an ‘epidemic of sexual harassment’ in Duval schools, urges district to expand Title IX awarenessStudents in Duval County are helping create change in the district after coming forward during this week’s school board meeting.
Taxpayer-funded plan to overhaul Duval County schools expected to cost billions more than first projected
Read full article: Taxpayer-funded plan to overhaul Duval County schools expected to cost billions more than first projectedA major plan to revamp and replace dated Duval County Public School buildings is now projected to cost billions more than originally anticipated.
City attorneys respond to request for special election for Duval County School Board District 4 & 6 in 2024
Read full article: City attorneys respond to request for special election for Duval County School Board District 4 & 6 in 2024The Jacksonville Branch of the NAACP and the other civil rights groups involved in the city of Jacksonville redistricting lawsuit have filed a motion asking a federal judge to order special elections for Duval County School Board Districts 4 and 6, in 2024.
‘Slavery did not benefit Black people’: Duval County School Board member speaks out about new teaching standards
Read full article: ‘Slavery did not benefit Black people’: Duval County School Board member speaks out about new teaching standardsA Duval County School Board member is speaking out to the News4JAX this evening about Florida’s NEW controversial educational standards for African American Studies and how the new curriculum could be rolled out into local schools.
NAACP, civil rights groups file motion to hold special election for 2 Duval County school board seats in 2024
Read full article: NAACP, civil rights groups file motion to hold special election for 2 Duval County school board seats in 2024The Jacksonville Branch of the NAACP and the other civil rights groups involved in the city of Jacksonville redistricting lawsuit have filed a motion asking a federal judge to order special elections for Duval County School Board Districts 4 and 6, in 2024.
Deputy named interim superintendent of Duval County Public Schools
Read full article: Deputy named interim superintendent of Duval County Public SchoolsThe Duval County School Board has named an interim superintendent after voting 5-2 to promote Deputy Superintendent Dr. Dana Kriznar to acting superintendent of Duval County Public Schools.
Duval school board acknowledges major issues in grand jury report, says changes have been made
Read full article: Duval school board acknowledges major issues in grand jury report, says changes have been madeThe Duval County School Board met Thursday morning to discuss the findings of a bombshell grand jury report that found the school’s police force underreported crimes to the state.
Duval County voters approve property tax increase to help teachers & schools
Read full article: Duval County voters approve property tax increase to help teachers & schoolsDuval County voters on Tuesday night voted in favor of a property tax hike designed in part to help teachers and school staff of public schools in Jacksonville.
EXPLAINER: Where will my extra tax money go if Duval approves referendum for teachers?
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Where will my extra tax money go if Duval approves referendum for teachers?With the upcoming primary election just around the bend, one of the questions Duval County voters are being asked is whether they’re willing to pay higher property taxes so that Jacksonville teachers can earn a better salary.
Marathon Duval School Board meeting prompts discussion of district’s public comment policy
Read full article: Marathon Duval School Board meeting prompts discussion of district’s public comment policyNearly 300 people filled out a blue notecard in the Duval County Public Schools administrative building Tuesday, adding their names to the list of speakers that would address the school board directly at the meeting that night.
DCPS committee advances ‘Parents Bill of Rights’ measure
Read full article: DCPS committee advances ‘Parents Bill of Rights’ measureFollowing the passage of the statewide law nicknamed the “Parents Bill of Rights,” Duval County Public Schools’ Policy Handbook Review Committee discussed its version of the measure.
Darryl Willie sworn-in at next chairman of Duval County School Board
Read full article: Darryl Willie sworn-in at next chairman of Duval County School BoardDuring its scheduled Tuesday evening meeting, the Duval County School Board unanimously approved Darryl Willie to become its next board chairman.
Parents voice concerns about masks in schools before Duval County School Board makes decision
Read full article: Parents voice concerns about masks in schools before Duval County School Board makes decisionHours of fiery debate involving doctors, parents and local leaders dominated a special Duval County School Board meeting Monday before the board approved a 90-day student mask mandate with a medical opt-out.
Duval County schools board member requests emergency meeting to remove opt-out for mask wearing
Read full article: Duval County schools board member requests emergency meeting to remove opt-out for mask wearingDuval County Schools board member Darryl Willie has asked for an emergency board meeting on Friday, with the objective being to discuss no longer letting students opt out of a face-mask mandate.
Duval County school district leaders may soon be looking for a new home
Read full article: Duval County school district leaders may soon be looking for a new homeJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The main office of Duval County Public Schools is in a convenient, central location of Jacksonville. But during a workshop last week, Duval County School Board member Lori Hershey said it’s time to consider making a move. “I totally agree with Ms. Hershey that now is a good time to explore that,” said School Board member Warren Jones. School Board Vice Chairman Darryl Willie said: “Through the chair, I could definitely get behind this resolution. A proposal is expected to be brought up at the next School Board meeting in December.
With week to election, Duval School Board makes push for half-cent tax
Read full article: With week to election, Duval School Board makes push for half-cent taxJACKSONVILLE, FLa. – On Monday evening, members of the Duval County School Board made another pitch for a half-cent sales tax referendum, which appears on the election ballot for Duval County voters. The half-cent sales tax money would also go toward safety and security, building upgrades and renovations at schools across the city. RELATED: How Duval County’s half-cent sales tax would benefit schools in your neighborhood“Just like work spaces, research shows a good learning environment improves achievement. And all students in (Duval) County deserve a building and resources to succeed," said board member Darryl Willie. Duval County School Board members encourage everyone to stay informed and follow the district on Facebook and on its referendum website.
WATCH LIVE: Jill Biden hosts virtual roundtable on school reopenings in Jacksonville
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Jill Biden hosts virtual roundtable on school reopenings in JacksonvilleJACKSONVILLE, Fla. Jill Biden virtually hosts a roundtable conversation on school reopenings in Jacksonville as part of her national Back-to-School tour. The roundtable will be moderated by Duval County School Board member Darryl Willie and feature Duval County parents and teachers. Participants will discuss the challenges of distance learning and the recent return to in-person learning. Watch the event by clicking the video play button below:
School Board to vote tonight on proposed elementary school consolidations
Read full article: School Board to vote tonight on proposed elementary school consolidationsDUVAL COUNTY, Fla. The Duval County School Board is expected to vote tonight on recommendations to consolidate several elementary schools in the citys North and Northwest neighborhoods. The schools impacted include, but are not limited to Brentwood Elementary School, John Love Elementary School, and Carter G. Woodson Elementary School. The third has to do with Carter G. Woodson Elementary School. Willie said the original plan was to merge Woodson and St. Clair Evans Academy into a brand new school, named Northwestern Elementary School. The new elementary school would be in the original Northwestern Middle School building, which closed at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Families can weigh in on proposed elementary school consolidations
Read full article: Families can weigh in on proposed elementary school consolidationsThe schools impacted include, but are not limited to Brentwood Elementary School, John Love Elementary School, and Carter G. Woodson Elementary School. For John Love Elementary, the district's recommendation is to combine it into Long Branch Elementary School. The third has to do with Carter G. Woodson Elementary School. Willie tells News4jax the original plan was to merge Woodson and St. Clair Evans Academy into a brand new school, named Northwestern Elementary School. The new elementary school would be in the original Northwestern Middle School building, which closed at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.