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 “Florida Voter Registration”
The voter registration deadline is Monday for the Aug. 20 primary election in Florida. l Element5 Digital via Unsplash.
14 hours ago

Florida Voter Registration

Once considered a very purple state, in recent years Florida voters have begun to lean red. Republicans have gained a…

Featured image for “Duval School Board District 1 forum: Ebri alone as Ricardo calls out sick ”
Nadine Ebri answers questions during a District 1 School Board forum on July 25, 2024. | Jacksonville Public Education Fund/screenshot
1 day ago

Duval School Board District 1 forum: Ebri alone as Ricardo calls out sick 

Nadine Ebri was one of five Teacher of the Year finalists in Duval County in 2020-21. Tony Ricardo taught at Andrew…

Featured image for “1,100 fewer Duval students qualify for buses this school year ”
1 day ago

1,100 fewer Duval students qualify for buses this school year 

Previously, the district bused all students who lived outside a mile-and-a-half radius of their assigned school.…

Featured image for “Nathanson a no-show at Duval School Board District 3 candidate forum”
District 3 School Board incumbent Cindy Pearson speaks at the JPEF candidate forum on July 23. Opponent Becky Nathanson did not attend. | JPEF via web stream
July 23, 2024

Nathanson a no-show at Duval School Board District 3 candidate forum

Rebecca “Becky Nathanson” and Cindy Person are running to represent District 3 on the Duval County School Board.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Who’s behind mailers in School Board District 3 race?”
July 17, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | Who’s behind mailers in School Board District 3 race?

Political action committees and parties can spend unlimited money to support candidates — even in school board races, which have…

Featured image for “Duval School Board delays vote on student safety policy ”
Duval Superintendent Chris Bernier talks to reporters after his official swearing-in on July 2, 2024. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
July 2, 2024

Duval School Board delays vote on student safety policy 

A final student safety policy will be ready for review at the September Duval School Board meeting.…

Featured image for “Duval Schools releases new student safety plan”
The Duval Schools administration building. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
June 27, 2024

Duval Schools releases new student safety plan

The safety plan is a response to teacher misconduct at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, but it will apply…

Featured image for “Duval is not alone in closing schools”
Community members raise their hands at a School Board meeting on June 10, 2024, in a show of support for keeping Holiday Hill Elementary open. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
June 19, 2024

Duval is not alone in closing schools

A consultant suggests closing more than 30 Duval schools. Many of Florida’s large, urban districts are looking at the same…

Featured image for “Former Douglas Anderson teacher sentenced to 10 years”
Jeffrey Clayton, a former vocal teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, is handcuffed after a judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison on Friday, June 14, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 14, 2024

Former Douglas Anderson teacher sentenced to 10 years

Jeffery Clayton, a former vocal teacher, was convicted of lewd behavior with a student.…

Featured image for “Bernier hired as Duval superintendent at $320,000 per year”
Christopher Bernier will take over as Duval Schools superintendent on July 1. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
June 12, 2024

Bernier hired as Duval superintendent at $320,000 per year

The School Board voted 6-1 to hire Christopher Bernier as superintendent. Board member Warren Jones voted no because he thought…

Featured image for “Duval School Board chair: ‘We’ve done our due diligence’ on Bernier amid accusations”
Incoming Superintendent Chris Bernier appears at a community meeting at Stanton Prep on June 12. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 12, 2024

Duval School Board chair: ‘We’ve done our due diligence’ on Bernier amid accusations

Bernier is the subject of a whistleblower complaint accusing him of “bullying” of a subordinate — with similar behavior mentioned…

Featured image for “COMPARE | Contract for incoming Duval Superintendent Bernier vs. former Supe Greene”
The Duval Schools administration building on Thursday, May 23, 2024. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
June 6, 2024

COMPARE | Contract for incoming Duval Superintendent Bernier vs. former Supe Greene

Duval’s counter offer to Chris Bernier is similar to former Superintendent Diana Greene’s most recent agreement.…

Featured image for “Before Duval superintendent pick’s sudden resignation, a whistleblower complaint ”
Texts from Bernier on the day his separation agreement was to be approved say he wanted to "protect what's left." | Screenshot of texts from Lee Schools
June 3, 2024

Before Duval superintendent pick’s sudden resignation, a whistleblower complaint 

Before he resigned as Lee superintendent, Chris Bernier was the subject of a whistleblower complaint that alleged “bullying” and “racial…

Featured image for “Duval Schools responds to criticism from state education commissioner”
Interim Superintendent Dana Kriznar talks to reporters before the start of the school year. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
May 23, 2024

Duval Schools responds to criticism from state education commissioner

Interim Superintendent Dana Kriznar said the district has made several changes to keep students safe, and more are on the…

Featured image for “Christopher Bernier chosen as Duval Schools superintendent”
Christopher Bernier, Duval County's new schools superintendent, speaks during a forum May 13, 2024, at EverBank Stadium. The balloons form the school district's logo. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
May 23, 2024

Christopher Bernier chosen as Duval Schools superintendent

The School Board said Bernier was the best choice to navigate Florida’s complex and sometimes politically charged education system.…

Featured image for “Duval superintendent candidate shocked previous district with resignation”
Christopher Bernier (far right) speaks with attendees of a meet-and-greet at EverBank Stadium in mid-May. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
May 21, 2024

Duval superintendent candidate shocked previous district with resignation

Questions remain about Christopher Bernier’s sudden departure from Lee County as he vies to be Duval superintendent.…

Featured image for “Superintendent hopefuls answer questions from School Board, parents ”
May 13, 2024

Superintendent hopefuls answer questions from School Board, parents 

A public meet-and-greet capped off a day when superintendent hopefuls talked with the School Board and community stakeholders.…

Featured image for “Wanted: Bus drivers for Duval Schools”
May 8, 2024

Wanted: Bus drivers for Duval Schools

Duval Schools needs about 50 new bus drivers and some mechanics this fall.…

Featured image for “2 Duval superintendent candidates advance as finalists ”
A crowd gathers before the School Board meeting on Tuesday, many to protest the potential closure of some schools. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
May 7, 2024

2 Duval superintendent candidates advance as finalists 

The Duval County School Board selected two candidates Tuesday as the finalists in its search for a new superintendent.…