Megan Mallicoat Reporter email
Megan Mallicoat is a Jacksonville Today reporter focusing on education. Her professional experience includes teaching at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, as well as editing, communications management, web design, and graphic design. She has a doctorate in mass communication with an emphasis in social psychology from UF. In her "free time," you'll most likely find her on the sidelines of some kind of kids’ sports practice, holding a book.
Featured image for “State flags license of accused Douglas Anderson teacher”
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
15 hours ago

State flags license of accused Douglas Anderson teacher

The Florida Department of Education took action against Corey Thayer, a former teacher accused of sexual acts against a student.…

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2 days ago

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Downtown progress

A look at employment and office vacancy in Downtown Jacksonville.…

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Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
December 17, 2024

State asked to reopen investigation into accused Duval teacher

Duval Schools sent information from a recent investigation to the state DOE.…

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Jacksonville's animal shelter has been consistently over capacity
December 13, 2024

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Jacksonville’s overcrowded animal shelter

A LOT of animals are sitting in the city of Jacksonville’s animal shelter right now — capacity is 362, but…

Featured image for “State closed probe of Jax teacher before accuser was given chance to testify, lawyer says”
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
December 11, 2024

State closed probe of Jax teacher before accuser was given chance to testify, lawyer says

The Florida Department of Ed says the accuser refused to be interviewed — a claim contradicted by emails reviewed by…

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December 6, 2024

Number of the Week | Let’s all go to the movies

Our Number of the Week is the number of First Coast residents per movie theater in our region.…

Featured image for “Removed Douglas Anderson teacher was accused of sex with 14-year-old”
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
December 5, 2024

Removed Douglas Anderson teacher was accused of sex with 14-year-old

Previously unreported records explain the circumstances surrounding Corey Thayer’s removal.…

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A sign announces improvements at Hendricks Avenue Elementary in 2023. | Jacksonville Today
December 1, 2024

Duval Schools recognized as ‘System of Distinction’ for academic progress

Duval Schools received the award during the district’s recent reaccreditation review.…

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Florida Sen. Gayle Harrell displays designs for a specialty license plate to honor iconic Florida singer Jimmy Buffet on Jan. 10, 2024. The plate is available for preorder. | AP Photo/Brendan Farrington
November 21, 2024

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Florida license plates

Which specialty license plates are the most popular in Duval County, and which are some of the rarest on the…

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A crowd of supporters watch three new school board members get sworn in on Nov. 19, 2024. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
November 19, 2024

Duval School Board’s rightward turn on display in sex ed, book discussions

Duval’s School Board now has a conservative majority, aligning with state and incoming federal officials, who prize “parental rights” and…

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November 15, 2024

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | St. Johns County’s housing boom

After the St. Johns County elections, the County Commission has a majority of commissioners who campaigned on a platform of…

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Superintendent Christopher Bernier on June 12, 2024 | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
November 13, 2024

Duval Schools chief cleared on racial claim; commits to improve employee treatment

An investigation found the superintendent did not racially discriminate against an employee in Lee County.…

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A sign on the Jacksonville Jaguars' field on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, encourages Duval County residents to vote. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 8, 2024

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Duval’s presidential preferences

Republicans, who make up about 36% of Duval’s registered voters, overperformed, with 41% of the ballots in Tuesday’s election.…

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Duval Schools' headquarters on Nov. 4, 2024 | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
November 6, 2024

Duval Schools needs to find $97M. But where?

School closures don’t begin to fill the gap in Duval Schools’ budget.…

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Reggie Blount won a position on the Duval County School Board on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. He defeated Hank Rogers for a seat as the District 5 representative. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 5, 2024

Blount’s victory seals Duval School Board’s conservative majority

Reginald Blount focused his campaign on conservative talking points that emphasize cultural issues.…

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School Board Chair Darryl Willie and member Charlotte Joyce listen as a community member advocates to keep her neighborhood school open. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
November 5, 2024

3 Duval elementary schools will close soon; 3 more after a year

6 Jacksonville elementary schools will close — but only half at the end of the current school year as originally proposed. …

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The Duval Schools administration building. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
November 1, 2024

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | What it costs to run a school

The schools that are slated to close aren’t necessarily the most expensive to operate.…

Featured image for “Duval School Board election is Tuesday in district bearing brunt of school closures”
The Duval County School Board will vote on a proposal to close Hidden Oaks Elementary School and consolidate it with Cedar Hills Elementary School, along with six other school closures/consolidations, on Nov. 4. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 1, 2024

Duval School Board election is Tuesday in district bearing brunt of school closures

Jacksonville Today asked the two School Board candidates their thoughts on school closures in the district they want to represent.…

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Eugene Butler football team members line up before the School Board meeting in support of keeping open the Young Men's Leadership Academy program at their school. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
October 29, 2024

School Board skeptical on school closures, but supe warns against kicking can down road

A vote is coming Monday on whether to close six elementary schools and discontinue the Young Men’s and Women’s Leadership…

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Cedar Hills Elementary Principal Marva McKinney looks out toward a gathering in the school's cafetorium on Oct. 17. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 27, 2024

Duval Schools asked to consider equity, community impact of school closures

Some parents, community members and activists are watching school closures warily and demanding the district consider equity — and not…

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Early voter turnout”
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections office provides signs in English and Spanish outside the Duval County Public Library Mandarin Branch location to notify voters where they can cast their ballot. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 25, 2024

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Early voter turnout

Early voting is going on now in counties around Florida’s First Coast.…

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October 18, 2024

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Florida voter registration

See how Florida voter party affiliation has changed each election since 2008.…

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Duval School Board member-elect Tony Ricardo appears on "First Coast Connect" in July of 2024. | First Coast Connect
October 14, 2024

Duval School Board member pushes storm-related conspiracy theories

Tony Ricardo is among the elected officials sharing hurricane-related content that’s misleading or incorrect on social media.…

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Milton’s local impacts”
St. Augustine Beach as seen at high tide on Oct. 10, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Milton. | Dave Gales, special to Jacksonville Today
October 11, 2024

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Milton’s local impacts

The St. Johns River reached record high level for mid-October in Downtown Jacksonville because of Hurricane Milton.…