Of the four Duval County School Board races that were up for election this year on the August primary ballot, only one will require a runoff in the general election. District 5 school board member Warren Jones can’t seek re-election due to term limits. Reginald Blount and Hank Rogers were the top two finishers in August, earning more votes than the third candidate, Nahshon Nicks. Blount and Rogers will now be on the ballot for all voters in District 5 in November.
News4Jax sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| NON-PARTISAN CANDIDATES |
Reginald Blount
Occupation: Adjunct Professor and Assessment Coordinator for FSCJ
Age: 62
Family: Yes,
Education: MS Public Policy
BS Business Management
AS Commercial Graphics
Grad Cert Naval Post Graduate School
Political experience: Candidate
Precinct CPT
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
I study how other industrialized countries have surpassed the United States in Education. The curriculum for example, in the most recent PISA assessment in 2022, the U.S. ranked 14th in reading, 19th in science, and 38th in math among the participating countries and economies. While American students demonstrated proficiency in certain areas, there is room for improvement, particularly in mathematics. I think overall these findings are unacceptable for a country that spends more per capita on education than all the other large nations.
*Increase Academic Standards *put more funding in the industrial trades sector and the Arts *Initiate a funds campaign to improve or build better education centers (schools) that are earmarked specifically for this agenda.
*Protect children from inappropriate literature that continues to creep into the school system.
*Work with the state to create better incentive programs to recruit and retain good teachers.
*Initiate a state audit at least every four years to ensure we are not overspending in contracts, personnel, and target waste and mismanagement.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
My more than 40 years of service to my country, my community, and my family. I believe my experience in civil governance, education, military service, and budgeting just to name a few, exceeds that of other candidates and even most current school board members. In addition, my experience working with US diplomats, State Department personnel, (Non-profit organizations, NGOs) Various school districts, and building education departments at the college level makes me one of the most well-rounded candidates in the school board races. My experience as a husband and father of six also gives me a good understanding of how to manage the educational needs at all levels of growth in children.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
That I helped re-establish a more academically sound school system, where the overall standards were among the best in the nation.
Enforcing strong discipline and safety across the board.
Campaign website: www.reggieblount2024.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Hank Rogers
Occupation: Chief Operating Officer, I’m A Star Foundation, Inc.
Age: (No response)
Family: (No response)
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of North Florida
Masters in Public Administration from Troy University
Political experience: ‘Legislative Assistant in the Florida House of Representatives
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
I believe that Duval County Public Schools is facing multiple challenges that need to be addressed. One of the key issues affecting our public school system is the decreasing enrollment in many schools, which can be attributed to factors such as school choice and vouchers. This decline is significantly impacting the Master’s Facilities Plan that was approved by voters in 2020. To counter this trend, I suggest launching a comprehensive marketing campaign for each school to highlight their exceptional programs and the positive experiences within their walls. Other educational institutions like charter schools, private schools, and neighboring school districts are excelling in their marketing efforts, so it is essential for us to be equally proactive in promoting our schools to attract students and families back.
Furthermore, I propose organizing several Town Hall meetings with elected officials from Tallahassee to ensure they understand the challenges faced by the residents they represent. Another pressing issue is the deficiencies in the school district’s transportation system. Currently, the district is struggling with a critical shortage of bus drivers, exacerbated by funding uncertainties from the state, especially for transporting students residing within the 2-mile requirement. I recommend that the school district reassess its transportation plan and collaborate closely with the bus contractor to address the budgetary concerns effectively. The last issue the school district must tackle is the teacher shortage. Teachers play a crucial role in shaping our future, and it’s essential to let them know they are valued and show them the appreciation and respect they deserve. The district must also be competitive with paying our teachers more to compete with other entities. These challenges add to the importance of prioritizing student safety and enhancing mental health services.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have been advocating for children for 15 years without pause. My experiences of working in the classroom, serving on school advisory boards, and engaging with hundreds of students at the elementary and secondary levels since 2012 gives me a unique knowledge base that others running for this office cannot claim. I firmly believe that my extensive experience and dedication make me the most qualified candidate to represent the constituents of District 5 with both passion and expertise. My deep involvement in our school system at both the school and district levels sets me apart from others in this race. My primary focus has always been on education and improving student outcomes, helping increase the graduation rate and helping enroll hundreds of students into post-secondary opportunities. I started my professional journey as an assistant in the Florida House of Representatives, dedicating almost a decade to this role andas a result am capable of providing a high level of constituent services. Later, I redirected my focus towards youth development and transitioned to the I’m A Star Foundation, Inc., where I now hold the position of Chief Operating Officer. I have proudly contributed to this organization for the past decade by helping hundreds of children succeed. I have extensive experience in budget setting, creating policy, and working with others on various boards.
With significant state involvement in local school districts, we must fight to preserve local control and the school board’s capacity to make decisions that serve the best interests of their districts. With each legislative session, we witness a growing number of laws that infringe upon the authority of local school boards. Drawing on my extensive background as a legislative aide, I am well-informed in legislative advocacy and policy development. I believe that board members should actively cultivate relationships with our local delegation members and actively contribute to the Legislative platform of the Florida School Board Association. I am prepared to utilize my connections to help lawmakers grasp the unintended consequences of potential bills and their effects on Duval County Public Schools.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as an advocate for children who worked collaboratively to support traditional public schools and reverse the trend of declining enrollment in our school district by introducing innovative programs and promoting our schools. I want to be remembered as a public servant who made it a priority to listen to all stakeholders and make data-driven decisions. Most importantly, I want to be remembered as a School Board member who prioritized valuing our teachers and ensuring that every student received the high-quality education they deserve.
Campaign website: www.votehankrogers.com