JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County School Board voted 4-3 to add Schools of Hope to their legislative agenda during a meeting on Tuesday night.
Schools of Hope is a controversial law that allows charter schools to share space with underutilized public schools.
The discussion among board members lasted about 30 minutes. Board Chair Charlotte Joyce and Vice Chair April Carney opposed adding Schools of Hope to the agenda, while Board members Cindy Pearson and Darryl Willie supported it.
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Parents and community members have expressed concerns about Schools of Hope for several months, urging the board to take a public stance against the legislation.
During the meeting, about a dozen people spoke in favor of amending the legislative agenda to include Schools of Hope.
Gloria Einstein, an advocate against Schools of Hope, said, “We need to do anything we can to fight against the Schools of Hope.”
“I hope you will approve the amendment. I hope you will seriously advocate with the legislative delegation. I hope you will protect the schools that we have all paid for from being taken over by squatters,” she said.
Kelly Sharkey, a DCPS parent, said, “I would really implore you guys to add to your agenda as a priority, add to your platform as a priority to shut down Schools of Hope before we have another operator come in while we still have time. 2027 is just next year.”
The Schools of Hope legislative agenda addition includes several key points: ensuring co-location requirements do not jeopardize safety or create unfunded burdens for districts; refining eligibility criteria to better identify underperforming schools; updating facility utilization metrics; preserving local school board authority over district property; and clarifying statutory definitions for consistent guidance to districts and charter operators.
Board Chair Charlotte Joyce explained her opposition, saying, “The reason why I’m going to vote no on this tonight is because I think this is premature. We make a list of our priorities, our legislative priorities, in recognition for the simple fact that our lobbying opportunities are limited. Schools of Hope remains a work in progress.”
Board member Cindy Pearson countered, “Advocacy is fluid, right? I have found that the best time to address an issue is when the ingredients are going into the bowl for the cake to be baked to adjust those ingredients. Rather than waiting until it’s already baked and trying to pull those ingredients out.”
Board Chair Joyce, Vice Chair Carney, and Board Member Tony Ricardo voted against adding Schools of Hope to the agenda.
The legislative session is set to begin next week.