Nadine Ebri answers questions during a District 1 School Board forum on July 25, 2024. | Jacksonville Public Education Fund/screenshot
Published on July 25, 2024 at 9:51 pm
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For the second time this week, one Duval County School Board candidate sat alone at a table set for two.
On Thursday evening, the Jacksonville Public Education Fund held its second of four public forums intended to help voters compare the candidates running to fill four school board seats.
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Both District 1 candidates — Nadine Ebri and Tony Ricardo — had agreed to attend, but event organizers announced at the start of the forum that Ricardo had canceled a few hours prior because he isn’t feeling well. Ricardo told Jacksonville Today by text that he has a fever and cough and doesn’t want to risk spreading whatever he has.
Much like Tuesday’s forum with District 3 incumbent Cindy Pearson, when opponent Becky Nathanson was a no-show, organizers kept to the planned format and gave Ebri two minutes to answer questions. Ebri, whose classroom teaching experience includes the pandemic years, was one of five Teacher of the Year finalists in Duval County in 2020-21.
In her answers during the forum, Ebri leaned into her experience as a teacher and touted the importance of using technology effectively and creating an atmosphere at school that makes students excited to attend. She also advocated for making education a community affair.
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“When we listen to everybody, a lot of people are saying the same things. They want kids to be in an environment where they feel like they belong, where they feel loved, for their learning,” Ebri said. “We’re looking at what brings us together — bringing all community in as we rebuild our schools to ensure that kids are getting equitable access to a great education, so that no one feels like they have to leave their neighborhood school to find a ‘better option.’”
Ricardo, who taught at Andrew Jackson High School in the 1980s and early 90s,is endorsed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Republican Party of Duval County and the Duval chapter of Moms for Liberty.
Ebri’s endorsements include current Duval School Board Chair Darryl Willie, the Duval Teachers United union and former Duval Superintendent Diana Greene.
Ebri and Ricardo are running to replace Kelly Coker, who opted not to run again.
Both Ebri and Ricardo have appeared on First Coast Connect: Ebri on July 16 and Ricardo on July 24. And, return to Jacksonville Today for a candidate comparison tool, coming in early August.
JPEF’s third forum — with District 5 candidates Reggie Blount, Nahshon Nicks and Hank Rogers — is set for Tuesday, July 30, at Edward Waters University’s Milne Auditorium, 1658 Kings Road, at 6 p.m.
The final forum — with District 7 candidates Melody Ann Bolduc and Sarah Ann Mannion — is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Hopewell Church, 3990 Loretto Road, at 6 p.m.
