Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | What it costs to run a school”
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 Schools asked to consider equity, community impact of school closures”
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 “6 Jacksonville elementaries could close at the end of this school year”
Susie E. Tolbert Elementary is one of six schools to potentially close | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
September 19, 2024

6 Jacksonville elementaries could close at the end of this school year

6 Jacksonville elementary schools could close at the end of this school year.…

Featured image for “5 Duval students arrested for threatening schools, the youngest 11 years old”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters (left) joined Duval County School Supt. Christopher Bernier and School Board Police Chief Jackson Short at Wednesday's news conference. | News4Jax
September 11, 2024

5 Duval students arrested for threatening schools, the youngest 11 years old

The sheriff and school superintendent jointly announced the arrests of five young students on charges of making threats against their…

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 “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 “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 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 “Duval school district braces for 50% uptick in private school vouchers this year”
The Duval Schools administration building. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
August 6, 2023

Duval school district braces for 50% uptick in private school vouchers this year

Duval Schools loses state money for every student who drops out of district-run schools, putting a greater financial strain on…

Featured image for “Duval considers cutting magnet school bus routes, other cost-saving options”
Some of the district’s school transportation contracts are up for negotiation this year, pushing the district to look at ways to cut costs.
July 5, 2023

Duval considers cutting magnet school bus routes, other cost-saving options

To cut costs, Duval is combining a two magnet school bus routes and might end routes with low ridership. Bigger…

Featured image for “OPINION | Better late than never for Duval Schools + City budget bewilderment ”
Duval Schools HQ
July 5, 2023

OPINION | Better late than never for Duval Schools + City budget bewilderment 

Mike Clark reacts to progress in school administration and also what doesn’t make sense to him about this time of…

Featured image for “Duval Schools doesn’t know what to do with unapproved books”
Media specialists pulled dozens of boxes of old, outdated or objectionable library materials from Duval County school libraries this year.
June 4, 2023

Duval Schools doesn’t know what to do with unapproved books

Duval County Public Schools sent almost twice as many library books to its recycling plant this school year than it…

Featured image for “Superintendent Diana Greene ends trailblazing Duval career under scrutiny”
Duval County Superintendent Diana Greene reviews her notes during a May 2, 2023 emergency school board meeting where she announced her resignation. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 23, 2023

Superintendent Diana Greene ends trailblazing Duval career under scrutiny

The Duval superintendent’s tenure ends amid criticism from both the political left and right, but she also won bipartisan support…

Featured image for “Records detail years of misconduct by Douglas Anderson teacher”
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
April 20, 2023

Records detail years of misconduct by Douglas Anderson teacher

The School Board Chair is convening a special meeting after records show other substantiated complaints against teacher Jeffrey Clayton.…

Featured image for “Duval Schools reverses trans restroom policy, no longer discourages ‘outing’ students in new LGBTQ+ support guide ”
The former guide (left) was replaced with new guidance on the district's website.
April 18, 2023

Duval Schools reverses trans restroom policy, no longer discourages ‘outing’ students in new LGBTQ+ support guide 

Students in Duval County Public Schools now must use restrooms and lockers in line with their sex assigned at birth…

Featured image for “Facing 2 lawsuit threats, Duval Schools to hire outside attorney in Douglas Anderson scandal”
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
April 12, 2023

Facing 2 lawsuit threats, Duval Schools to hire outside attorney in Douglas Anderson scandal

Duval has received notice from two law firms about potential lawsuits over misconduct allegations at Douglas Anderson School of the…

Featured image for “Duval Schools face 20% vacancy in media specialists, the only staff who can approve books ”
Mandarin Middle School is one of 67 schools without a certified media specialist.
April 5, 2023

Duval Schools face 20% vacancy in media specialists, the only staff who can approve books 

School librarians are a rarity in Duval, and 1-in-5 of the few remaining positions are vacant as the district faces…

Featured image for “Duval Schools book-review supervisor, who called gay characters ‘contrary to the design of humanity,’ is resigning”
Parents rallied ahead of a December school board meeting over the district's months long review of books from the Essential Voices classroom library collection.
March 8, 2023

Duval Schools book-review supervisor, who called gay characters ‘contrary to the design of humanity,’ is resigning

The supervisor’s departure comes as Duval Schools has received national scrutiny for its book review process.…

Featured image for “Most Florida school districts aren’t requiring teachers to hide classroom libraries. Duval is.”
The Duval County Public Schools administration building, with a bronze statue of children reading in front of it. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
February 7, 2023

Most Florida school districts aren’t requiring teachers to hide classroom libraries. Duval is.

Duval Schools says media specialists have reviewed about 2,000 of the 1.6 million titles in the district.…

Featured image for “OPINION | The lie of invisibility”
Ami Polonsky, author of "Gracefully Grayson," spoke during a rally ahead of the Dec. 6th Duval School Board meeting. The district ordered her book for fifth grade classrooms in 2021 but decided to send it back after a review process.
January 4, 2023

OPINION | The lie of invisibility

Banning books eliminates an opportunity for students to expand beyond their own surroundings and worldview.…

Featured image for “Duval Schools to keep 73 ‘diverse, inclusive’ books out of classrooms”
Ami Polonsky, author of "Gracefully Grayson," speaks during a rally ahead of the Dec. 6 Duval School Board meeting. The district ordered her book for fifth grade classrooms in 2021 but decided to send it back after a review process. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
December 22, 2022

Duval Schools to keep 73 ‘diverse, inclusive’ books out of classrooms

Dozens of books the Duval County school district ordered in the summer of 2021 will never hit classroom shelves. That’s…

Featured image for “OPINION | The education of Diana Greene”
Duval Schools Superintendent Diana Greene presents proposed changes during an October 18th, 2022, School Board workshop. | Jax Today
December 4, 2022

OPINION | The education of Diana Greene

Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Diana Greene is nearing half a decade in her position, a remarkable feat. Greene, who…

Featured image for “Condom demo policy approved; more sex ed changes coming in Duval”
Duval Schools Superintendent Diana Greene presents proposed changes during an October 18th, 2022, School Board workshop. | Jax Today
November 1, 2022

Condom demo policy approved; more sex ed changes coming in Duval

The Duval County school district has published new, proposed sex education materials ahead of a public vote next month. The…