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”…

By Megan Mallicoat

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…

By Megan Mallicoat

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…

By Megan Mallicoat

School closures

School closures