Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives are making a pitch to overhaul how elections are run in the District of Columbia.

Duval County Public Schools calls it a “review” for age appropriateness, but a free speech and human rights group is calling it a “book ban.”

Putnam County voters will be asked to vote yes or no on a plan to acquire up to $300 million in bonds to fund the construction and renovation of schools and safety upgrades. The referendum calls for the debt to be paid off over 30 years using school board property taxes.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County voters are deciding on whether to levy a half-cent sales tax aimed at upgrading the security and infrastructure within the local school district, Duval County Public Schools. The Houston-based accounting firm chosen to audit DCPS, McConnell & Jones, published its initial audit report in August 2019, and one year later, the final report was released. Overall, the review showed the district either fully met or partially met all six of the firm’s criteria. In the August 2020 follow up review, two of the items listed as having “partially met” the criteria were upgraded to “met" while the rest remained unchanged. The district did not fail to meet any of the criteria, according to the report.

Employees dismissed as district tries to make up for enrollment shortfallIf you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – The Nassau County School District is laying off 26 teachers and six paraprofessionals in an effort to soften the massive financial hit expected to accompany a much lower-than-expected fall enrollment. The 32 employees were in their first year of employment with the district, also referred to as “probationary status," Assistant Superintendent Mark Durham said. The employees were notified of the layoffs Sept. 11 and their final date of employment is set for Friday. As of Thursday, Durham told News4Jax the district has about 11,800 across the three learning options; traditional-brick and mortar, school-based distance learning and Nassau Virtual. Since that happened, Phillips said, four positions were made available again indicating a possible net loss of two employees.

District applying for CARES Act reimbursement of applicable expensesIf you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – During a workshop meeting Tuesday, the Duval County School Board continued its discussion on the process of reopening schools following months of COVID-19-related challenges. Part of the district’s plan includes the purchase and installation of protective partitions for desks and tables that cannot be placed at least six feet apart. To maintain social distancing, the district’s plan recommends limiting class sizes according to designated grades. Pre-K through second-grade students will be provided reusable face shields and the rest of students will be provided cloth face coverings. More information on the reopening plan can be found on the district’s website.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An upcoming effort to consolidate several Duval County elementary schools will see one of them approach full capacity. The building, formerly known as Northwestern Middle School until its closure in May, will reopen for the Fall 2020 semester as a new elementary school. This image was included in the Duval County School Board's agenda packet on June 16, 2020. Should it raise its current “F” grade to a “C” or above, Carter G. Woodson Elementary will dissolve and its students will also attend the new elementary school beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. In August, John Love Elementary School’s students will be moved into Long Branch Elementary School.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Amid renewed calls for the renaming of schools dedicated to Confederate civil war figures, the Duval County Public School Board voted Tuesday night to explore changing the names of six schools. The unanimous vote came after a letter from School Board Chairman Warren Jones recommending the board approve the renaming of J.E.B. Stuart Middle School, Stonewall Jackson Elementary School, Joseph Finegan Elementary School, Jefferson Davis Middle School, Edmund Kirby Smith Middle School and Robert E. Lee High School. In 2013, the Duval County school board voted unanimously to change the name of Nathan Bedford Forrest High School, later renaming it Westside High School. Demonstrators stood outside the Duval County School Board building before the meeting, holding signs, urging the district to take action.

This district that represents Jacksonville's urban core, southwest Duval County, all of Baker, Hamilton, Madison and Gadsden counties, northern Columbia, Jefferson and Leon counties. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Glo Smith in November.