JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier is pushing back on criticism over administrator salaries and addressing findings from a recent Office of Inspector General report as the district prepares to welcome students back to school on Monday.
Bernier sat down with The Morning Show and answered our questions about the upcoming school year, including responding to community concerns and outlining what families can expect in the new school year.
Cafeteria safety, OIG findings
The OIG report, which cited electrical and other safety concerns in DCPS food service facilities modified since 2021, drew significant attention from parents and community members.
Bernier said the timing of the issues is critical context.
“A lot of what the OIG was looking into was past practice prior to my arrival,” said Bernier, who took over as superintendent in 2024. “We’ve done the engineering; we’ve done the safety sweeps; we responded to the OIG. We missed a report that came in in the middle of the summer while a number of people were on vacation. No excuses.”
Bernier said the district engaged directly with the OIG and that its responses to the findings were accepted.
“The kitchens that serve our students are safe places for our workers and a safe place for our children,” he said.
Administrator pay vs. teacher pay
Community members and parents have raised concerns that Duval County ranks third in Florida for administrative pay, while teacher salaries remain comparatively lower.
Bernier acknowledged the disparity and pointed to steps already taken to address it.
“Over the last two years we’ve cut 12% each year from the central office,” he said. “Those include administrator positions. I removed in the last two years two cabinet positions which are amongst the highest paid, and we will continue to always look for savings to make sure we transfer that money to our teachers.”
Bernier said teachers are set to receive additional compensation this year, pending ratification of a tentative agreement. He also pointed to an upcoming millage renewal as a key factor in keeping teacher salaries competitive with surrounding districts.
“If the community steps up again this year and renews the millage they already have, our teacher salaries will remain and get as competitive as our surrounding districts,” he said.
Back-to-school preparation, transportation
With 900 buses moving approximately 30,000 students daily, Bernier urged families to prepare for first-day logistics and set realistic expectations.
“Our buses don’t get an easy pass, they don’t go to their own special lane,” he said. “If you’re stuck in traffic, they’re stuck in traffic too.”
The district has added GPS tracking and a parent hotline so families can monitor bus locations in real time.
Bernier said the district’s transportation system is in better shape than last year and encouraged patience during the first week.
Teacher vacancies
DCPS is heading into the new school year with roughly 200 teacher vacancies, a significant improvement from the previous year.
Bernier said an additional 100 hires are still being finalized and that the number could drop further before Monday.
The district has a staffing partnership with ESS, a substitute services provider, to ensure classroom coverage in the event of vacancies or teacher absences.
School safety, weapons detection
DCPS is expanding weapons detection systems into elementary schools this fall.
Bernier said the first nine schools will come online during the fall semester, with additional schools to follow throughout the year.
“It’s not so much that we’re thinking elementary school students are carrying weapons to school,” he said. “It’s about ensuring their safety as an adult comes onto the campus as well.”
Bernier also encouraged parents who legally carry firearms to leave them secured away from campus, noting that weapons detection systems will be in place.
The district also added a fifth K9 through a safe schools grant.
Ortega Elementary closure
The school board is expected to vote Tuesday night on closing Ortega Elementary School.
Bernier said the decision should not come as a surprise to the school’s community, noting that conversations about the school’s future began roughly a year ago when a new principal was placed there.
“This school building will remain open until the fall of 2028,” he said. “I want our parents to know that they’re stable and in a great environment.”
District achievement, parent involvement
Bernier said Duval County earned an A district designation for the second consecutive year and stressed that maintaining that standing requires community participation.
“That A means all, it means our parents, it means our community, our partners, all combining together to support our students toward academic achievement,” he said. “School systems can’t do it by themselves.”
He encouraged families to prioritize attendance, starting with the very first day of school.
“Every day that we’re in session, it’s really important for a student to be there,” Bernier said.