DCPS reminds fans of rules at high school games as football season kicks off
As the first high school football game of the season kicked off Friday, Duval County Public Schools is reminding fans and spectators of certain rules to ensure everyone’s safety in the wake of last week’s gunfire at First Coast High School.
‘Below our expectations’: State test results show Duval County schools underperforming in English, math
Duval County Public Schools ranked below the state average in English language arts and math for the 2022-2023 school year, according to newly released results from the Florida Department of Education.
Story behind Dr. Greene’s departure: a teacher’s arrest, a state investigation and politics
Duval County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Diana Greene’s departure, which was approved by the school board on Tuesday, comes after more than a month of scrutiny following the arrest of a high school music teacher and the subsequent reassignment of three other teachers during the investigation.
Letter from Douglas Anderson alumni asks that investigation look into possible financial links to teacher misconduct
The Duval County Public School’s special meeting was abruptly canceled Friday, leaving some former Douglas Anderson School of the Arts students disappointed that they didn’t have a chance to discuss their ideas as the investigation into longtime music teacher Jeffrey Clayton, who is now charged with lewd behavior involving a student, continues.
State alleges DCPS failed to report Douglas Anderson sexual harassment incident
In a Wednesday letter to Duval County Public Schools (DCPS), the vice chancellor of the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Safe Schools (OSS) alleged that DCPS failed to report instances of sexual harassment cited in the termination notice for former Douglas Anderson School of the Arts music teacher Jeffrey Clayton.
DCPS: District’s school choice lottery results ‘prematurely’ published
An error within Duval County Public Schools’ Office of School Choice on Tuesday caused the results of the annual lottery process to be published and delivered to families across the district before a final audit of the results was completed.
Door opened for more talks with DCPS, security contractor says, following I-TEAM report
School campus safety is once again in the spotlight following the deadly shooting at a Nashville Christian school, and on Tuesday, the News4JAX I-TEAM reported that a $36,000 contract for active shooter training and campus evaluations in Duval County hasn’t been used 10 months after leaders announced it.
UPDATE: DCPS retracts info on curriculum review committee, citing ‘premature email’
The Duval County Public Schools committee, tasked with reviewing and reconsidering teaching materials, instructional media and library books, is taking shape, according to an email from the district’s Supervisor of Instructional Materials and Media Services, Michelle Dibias.
Sandalwood teens attempt to rob, attack student for $400 fanny pack, report says
Two Sandalwood High School students were arrested Thursday after the school was placed on a code yellow lockdown to investigate an attack on a students, according to a message regarding the incident from Principal Saryn Hatcher to parents and guardians.
Sandalwood High schoolers arrested after student attacked, robbed, principal says
Two Sandalwood High School students were arrested Thursday after the school was placed on a code yellow lockdown to investigate an attack on a students, according to a message regarding the incident from Principal Saryn Hatcher to parents and guardians.
Duval schools youth risk behavior survey terminated by state
The Commissioner of Education sent a letter to the Duval Schools’ Superintendent, Dr. Diana Greene, “strongly urging” that the district needs to end its participation in a CDC youth-risk behavior survey (YRBS) and instead participate in a new one developed by the state.
DCPS students have a say in the district’s direction, thanks to newly resurrected group
Elijah Melendez-Eyster is a senior at Mandarin High School and part of the Jacksonville Association of Governing Students, or “JAGS,” a recently-rebooted initiative by Duval County Public Schools, aimed at providing students with a direct conduit to the highest offices in the district.
DCPS errs ‘on the side of caution’ in clearing schools of content condemned by DeSantis administration
Duval County Public Schools is performing a mass review of all classroom libraries and media centers throughout the district after the Florida Department of Education handed down directives parallel to new state law.
State drops child abuse charge against Ribault High School dean
News4JAX on Tuesday afternoon received a disposition notice from the State Attorney’s Office, indicating that the state will not seek charges against a Ribault High School dean that was arrested in a confrontation with a student in December.
DCPS custodian facing sexual battery charges now accused of impregnating student
A long-time custodian at Duval County Public Schools who is facing multiple charges including sexual battery on a child and kidnapping is now accused of impregnating a student while he was working at a Jacksonville school.
Bond hearing for DCPS custodian charged with sexual battery on child & kidnapping pushed to January
A bond hearing for Wayne Williams — a long-time custodian at Duval County Public Schools who is facing multiple charges including sexual battery on a child and kidnapping — has been pushed back to Jan. 12 at 10:30 a.m. due to the judge’s schedule.
JASMYN CEO addresses controversial Instagram post during Duval County School Board meeting
The CEO of JASMYN, a group that provides resources for the LGBTQ community, addressed the Duval County School Board during Tuesday’s meeting — following DCPS’ decision to end its decades-long services agreement with the organization.
File reveals new information in 3 previous investigations of DCPS custodian now facing sex charges
New records obtained Friday by News4JAX shed new light on why a former custodian for Duval County Public Schools, who was arrested in November on charges of capital sexual battery and kidnapping, was investigated at least three times while working for the district.
DCPS ends over 20-year relationship with LGBTQ advocacy group over ‘inappropriate’ materials
Duval County Public Schools ended its decades-long services agreement with JASMYN, an organization that provides resources for the LGBTQ community, citing the perceived use of materials deemed to be inappropriate for children.
Duval County School Board reviews refurbished sex education curriculum after pulling materials midyear
After abruptly postponing the legally required presentation of the district’s supplemental health curriculum in September, the Duval County School Board reviewed the new proposed plan for how the district will teach students about reproductive health and disease prevention.
No mandatory evacuations for Hurricane Ian, Jacksonville mayor says
After declaring a state of emergency for Duval County ahead of Hurricane Ian, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced Wednesday morning that based on the Category 4 storm’s current trajectory, he would NOT be issuing mandatory evacuation orders for the county.
‘It could possibly be a hybrid of Irma’: Duval County to declare state of emergency, close schools
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry declared a state of emergency for Duval County and the activation of the Emergency Operations Center, effective at noon Wednesday, as Category 3 Hurricane Ian tracks toward Florida.
Family of student injured in deadly Raines football game shooting files federal lawsuit
The family of a student who was left with a “permanent total disability” after a shooting at a Raines High School football game in 2018 is taking its fight against former Duval County Public Schools police chief Micheal Edwards and the Duval County School Board to federal court.