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 “Duval School Board officially opposes Schools of Hope charter expansion”
Duval School Board members watch to see if a motion to add Schools of Hope to the board's 2026 legislative platform will pass. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
20 hours ago

Duval School Board officially opposes Schools of Hope charter expansion

In a 4-3 vote, board members decided to include an item in their legislative platform that asks for changes to…

Featured image for “Former Duval teachers union president pays back $1.3M”
Teresa Brady is a former president of Duval Teachers United, the district's teachers union.
December 31, 2025

Former Duval teachers union president pays back $1.3M

Teresa Brady, former president of Duval Teachers United, transferred $1.3 million to a government account in December.…

Featured image for “Only Merrill Road Elementary, Fort Caroline Middle eyed as Schools of Hope ”
Merrill Road Elementary is one of two schools that remain on Mater Academy's list for Schools of Hope. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 23, 2025

Only Merrill Road Elementary, Fort Caroline Middle eyed as Schools of Hope 

Mater Academy has narrowed its list of 25 buildings to two intended for Schools of Hope in Duval.…

Featured image for “New 3D printing lab lets students explore engineering”
A student from Fort Caroline Elementary sits in the district's new 3D printing lab on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
December 18, 2025

New 3D printing lab lets students explore engineering

Duval Schools students test-drive technology like 3D printing and learn real-world skills at the district’s STEM center.…

Featured image for “City Council members ask for voice on school closures”
A Duval Schools sign hangs on a fence at Long Branch Elementary, one of the district's planned school closures. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 17, 2025

City Council members ask for voice on school closures

Council members Ju’Coby Pittman and Jimmy Peluso say school closures have implications beyond the school district.…

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | School buses: Transporting Duval students”
How many school buses are on time? | Data: Duval Schools; Chart: Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
December 12, 2025

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | School buses: Transporting Duval students

In Duval County, most school buses — about two-thirds — arrive at school by the time they’re scheduled to arrive.…

Featured image for “The $100M question: Was Duval Schools actually in ‘debt’?”
Duval Schools CFO Ron Fagan, left, gives a presentation to school board members about the district's finances on Dec. 8, 2025. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
December 10, 2025

The $100M question: Was Duval Schools actually in ‘debt’?

Duval Schools’ financial position is “strong,” according to its CFO, and what Superintendent Christopher Bernier characterized as “$100 million debt”…

Featured image for “Duval Schools sued over teachers’ right to free speech”
Haley Bartlett, John Phillips, and Hope McMath at a news conference in Phillips' office Monday. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
December 8, 2025

Duval Schools sued over teachers’ right to free speech

The teachers’ complaints allege their right to free speech was violated.…

Featured image for “A change to who reviews challenged books for Duval Schools”
Protestors demonstrate against removing challenged books from school libraries on Dec. 1, 2025. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 2, 2025

A change to who reviews challenged books for Duval Schools

School board members will now each appoint a parent to the committee that reviews challenged books.…

Featured image for “2 more Duval elementary schools will close ”
Long Branch Elementary has served students on Jacksonville's Eastside for 108 years. The Duval County School Board voted to close the school and merge it with R.L. Brown Gifted and Talented Academy. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 2, 2025

2 more Duval elementary schools will close 

Over community objections, the Duval County School Board voted unanimously Monday to close two more elementary schools — but later…

Featured image for “‘$100M debt’? Duval superintendent paints rosier financial picture amid school closures”
Duval Schools Superintendent Christopher Bernier has changed the way he talks about the district's finances amid the latest round of proposed school closures. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
November 30, 2025

‘$100M debt’? Duval superintendent paints rosier financial picture amid school closures

The way Bernier talks about the urgency of school closures has done something of a 180 — from needing to…

Featured image for “Duval Schools asks Jax Library to cut student access to book apps”
Library shelves at Long Branch Elementary | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 25, 2025

Duval Schools asks Jax Library to cut student access to book apps

The library access issue comes as the School Board will vote Monday on changes to its policy for reviewing challenged…

Featured image for “3 charter school operators target Duval for Schools of Hope”
Duval Schools headquarters | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
November 18, 2025

3 charter school operators target Duval for Schools of Hope

Three charter companies outlined plans to open “Schools of Hope” within dozens of Duval school buildings.…

Featured image for “How to enroll in Duval County Public Schools for 2026 | JAX TODAY GUIDE ”
Duval Schools headquarters | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
November 14, 2025

How to enroll in Duval County Public Schools for 2026 | JAX TODAY GUIDE 

If you’re looking to enroll a first-time student in Duval Schools or switch schools for this coming fall, here’s what…

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | House fires in Jacksonville”
November 14, 2025

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | House fires in Jacksonville

So far in 2025, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department has responded to 421 house fires.…

Featured image for “Check out Duval Schools’ School Enrollment Expo before lottery begins Dec. 1 ”
Hendricks Avenue Elementary is among the district's more than 140 schools and programs that will be represented at the School Enrollment Expo. | Jacksonville Today
November 13, 2025

Check out Duval Schools’ School Enrollment Expo before lottery begins Dec. 1 

Now’s the time to start thinking about where to send your kids in the fall of 2026, Duval Schools says.…

Featured image for “Duval Schools HQ to move to Baymeadows after School Board reverses course”
The Duval School Board voted to purchase this office building, currently occupied by Southeastern Grocers, for the district's headquarters. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
November 5, 2025

Duval Schools HQ to move to Baymeadows after School Board reverses course

Duval Schools HQ on the Southbank will be sold in the move to a building on the Southside, following a…

Featured image for “Duval Schools lobbying Tallahassee for Schools of Hope changes ”
Superintendent Chris Bernier talks at a town hall at Riverside High School on Nov. 3, 2025. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
November 4, 2025

Duval Schools lobbying Tallahassee for Schools of Hope changes 

State lawmakers allowed Schools of Hope charters to colocate in district schools, which a Duval School Board member says is…

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Home prices tick up”
See the interactive map below for current median home prices across Florida. | Chart by Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
October 31, 2025

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | Home prices tick up

Good news if you’re looking to put your house on the market (or spooky news if you’re looking to buy):…

Featured image for “Duval Schools spotlights 67 career and technical programs”
CTE students at Darnell-Cookman School of Medical Art | Provided by Duval Schools
October 30, 2025

Duval Schools spotlights 67 career and technical programs

Explore the district’s career and technical education programs during a showcase Saturday at UNF.…

Featured image for “Charter school company hopes to operate within 25 Duval public schools”
Annie R. Morgan Elementary had served students on Jacksonville’s Westside since 1916 before it closed. Mater Academy plans to move into its vacant building. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 23, 2025

Charter school company hopes to operate within 25 Duval public schools

New rules from the state mean districts have to let some charter schools use their buildings for free.…

Featured image for “Free speech fight simmers at Duval School Board”
Protesters gather before the Oct. 7 board meeting to show support for a teacher removed over a social media post | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
October 13, 2025

Free speech fight simmers at Duval School Board

Board members are criticized over speech as they vote to settle with a teacher over his alleged free speech violation,…

Featured image for “Former Duval teachers union president pleads guilty”
The U.S. Courthouse in Jacksonville
October 9, 2025

Former Duval teachers union president pleads guilty

Teresa Brady admitted she and another union official conspired to cash in fraudulent leave time.…

Featured image for “Duval School Board votes down HQ move”
Duval Schools will continued to be headquartered on the Southbank following the School Board's rejection of a sale and purchase of a Southside location. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 7, 2025

Duval School Board votes down HQ move

In dual 0-7 votes, the board passed on the sale of the Prudential Drive property and opted to not purchase…