JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A state representative raised concerns about school consolidations in Duval County, questioning the district’s financial justification for closing schools.
Kimberly Daniels, who represents District 14, sent a three-page letter to Duval County School Board Chair Charlotte Joyce on Dec. 6, expressing doubts about the district’s reported budget deficit and how it relates to the ongoing school consolidations.
Duval County Schools have cited the need to balance their budget as the reason for school consolidations for several years. At one point, the district reported facing a $1.4 billion deficit, which was later revised to a budget shortfall of more than $100 million. Daniels said she has reviewed the numbers and believes something does not add up.
RELATED: DCPS leaders make decisions on consolidations for several schools across the county
This request from Daniels came not long after the school board approved two new sets of consolidations.
The first is for Mayport Elementary and Anchor Academy, set for the 2028-29 school year. The board is working to secure a federal grant for that consolidation since Anchor Academy connects to Naval Station Mayport.
The second is Long Branch Elementary consolidating into R.L. Brown, which would be the second consolidation for R.L. Brown. That is set for the 2027-28 school year.
News4Jax recently spoke with Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier about where the consolidations stand.
“In the meantime, they’ve given me some instruction about continuing to work in the case of Anchor Academy. We’re gonna work with the federal grant and see whether we can get that money,” Bernier said. “In the case of the other, board member Willie has asked me to start engaging with him and the community to see what else we might be able to do between now and that closure day.”
In her letter, Daniels pointed out that the district’s financial documents show reserve levels and fund balances that do not match the picture of a crisis requiring drastic cuts. She requested a clear explanation of how the deficit was projected and communicated to the public.
In a phone interview, Daniels said the impact of the consolidations on the community is difficult to describe.
“It’s hard to describe how it affects our community. The people have been crying out for a while, and I just believe that the school board, they’re looking like they want to respond, and we’re waiting on them,” Daniels said. “At that time, I can say more. Right now I’m lost for words. I just hope maybe I’m wrong, but it doesn’t look that way.”
An analysis of enrollment projections for schools involved in consolidations shows the following:
- R.L. Brown and R.V. Daniels
- R.L. Brown: 215 students (2024-25), 265 students (2025-26)
- R.V. Daniels: 117 students (2024-25)
- Biltmore and Annie R. Morgan
- Biltmore: 253 students (2024-25), 343 students (2025-26)
- Annie R. Morgan: 172 students (2024-25)
- Beauclerc and Kings Trail
- Beauclerc: 712 students (2024-25), 903 students (2025-26)
- Kings Trail: 341 students (2024-25)
- Don Brewer and Merrill Road (merger delayed until 2026)
- Don Brewer: 300 students (2024-25), 254 students (2025-26)
- Merrill Road: 378 students (2024-25), 356 students (2025-26)
- Susie Tolbert and S.P. Livingston
- Susie Tolbert: 254 students (2024-25)
- S.P. Livingston: 425 students (2024-25), 644 students (2025-26)
- George Washington Carver and Rufus E. Payne (merger delayed until 2026)
- George Washington Carver: 330 students (2024-25), 317 students (2025-26)
- Rufus E. Payne: 234 students (2024-25), 242 students (2025-26)
- Hidden Oaks and Cedar Hills (merger delayed until 2026)
- Hidden Oaks: 193 students (2024-25), 188 students (2025-26)
- Cedar Hills: 418 students (2024-25), 358 students (2025-26)
The district provided data showing that 89% of all elementary students returned to a district school the following year after consolidation. In the case of R.V. Daniels and R.L. Brown, 53% of students went to the consolidated school, but overall, 92% of students remained in Duval County Public Schools.
Daniels remains hopeful despite the challenges.
“We have to find out what happened, how this happened, and make sure that it never happens again,” she said. “I pray that even the attention that’s being brought to it will be enough to have people have a sigh of relief because sometimes people feel like their voice is not heard. I just want them to know that their voice is heard and we’re working on it and demanding some answers.”
News4JAX reached out to Duval County Schools for an interview on the topic. The district said it is following up directly with Daniels about her concerns. While no spokesperson was made available to discuss school consolidation concerns, the district noted it launched an Enrollment Team last school year dedicated to boosting enrollment and promoting schools.