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WEATHER ALERT

DUVAL COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

Florida school districts can impose student mask mandates; tragedy in Afghanistan

A Leon County judge has ruled that Florida school districts can require students to wear masks, and on this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” we hear from Duval County School Board Chair Elizabeth Andersen and local attorney and parent Chris Hand. We also have state Rep. Cord Byrd, who supports parental choice. And the rush to evacuate Afghanistan has turned violent. With American and Afghan casualties, it has become emotional for veterans. U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, the first Green Beret elected to the U.S. House, gives his view.

As school name change debate continues, group rallies outside DCPS building

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Demonstrators gathered outside the Duval County School Board building Tuesday evening as the debate over whether to rename nine schools continues. The name change meetings are over so these rallies will happen every Tuesday. During a meeting of Jefferson Davis Middle School’s advisory board Tuesday evening, eight members of the board submitted votes. Four were in favor of renaming the school Westside Middle School, the other four were for calling it Charger Academy. LINK: Duval County Public Schools’ ‘school name change tracker’By May 12, DCPS says, ballots will be made available for constituents to vote on a preferred name.

Douglas Anderson email: ‘Cultural meetings’ to be split for ‘students of color’ & ‘white students’

The Duval County School Board canceled the cultural meetings. UPDATE: Segregated meetings at Douglas Anderson canceled after ‘dismay’ from parents, school districtThe email that was sent to DA families with the subject line “Student Cultural Meetings” was addressed from Melanie Hammer, the school’s principal. These meetings are to discuss cultural issues that have arisen at DA and to ensure that DA truly is a place for all. The two meetings are scheduled as follows: 9 am will be for all 11th and 12th-grade students of color, and 10:30 am will be for all 11th and 12th-grade white students. Our consultant will continue to work closely with DA students bringing everyone together for our common goal.

Duval school board leader asks Gov. DeSantis to give teachers vaccine priority

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County School Board Chair Elizabeth Andersen on Friday sent a letter to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis asking him to make teachers a priority during the next phase of coronavirus vaccine distribution. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has said teachers and school staff should not expect to be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine, saying people 65 and older come first. During a press conference in Jacksonville on Monday, DeSantis said he is sticking with the policy for now. But DeSantis did express optimism that if the upcoming vaccine from Johnson & Johnson comes online soon, frontline workers could begin to get vaccinations by early March. Greene said about 200 of the 550 district employees who are either 65 or older or medical personnel were able to get vaccinated Jan. 4 during a special event held for Duval County school workers.

Neptune Beach Elementary teacher’s assistant dies due to COVID-19 complications, board member says

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – A teacher’s assistant at Neptune Beach Elementary has died due to COVID-19 complications, a Duval County School Board member confirmed. Ms. Martin was a beloved Paraprofessional at Neptune Beach Elementary who passed away from COVID, and a student at Twin Lakes has passed away from MIS-C, an illness thought to be COVID related,” Anderson wrote. Duval County teachers union president Terrie Brady confirmed Jeanne Martin died Monday morning. I’m so sad that we put someone’s life in danger,” said Neptune Beach Elementary School parent Manya Prescott. She had a huge heart and poured it into everything she did at Neptune Beach Elementary.

Despite inequities, vast majority of Duval teachers approve new contract, raises

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County teachers voted overwhelmingly to approve a new contract that will provide raises for educators, especially first-year teachers. It set aside $400 million to raise the minimum salary for teachers and $100 million to provide veteran teachers a pay boost. In Duval County, the new starting annual salary would move up more than $6,000 to $45,891. “But I don’t believe this celebrated the success of our veteran teachers, and those that will actually be mentoring teachers,” Brady said. “We’re going to continue to negotiate for our veteran teachers and all teachers, and we hope to go back to the table as early as March.”

Lawsuit alleges student was assaulted on campus of Duval County high school

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board is facing a lawsuit by a parent who says their daughter was sexually assaulted by a fellow student inside a Jacksonville high school. “According to the grand jury report, there are dozens and probably hundreds other cases that were neglected, disregarded and ignored,” Stone said, referring to an initial report released this month by a statewide grand jury studying school safety. That initial report accuses the Duval County School District of underreporting crimes and gang activity happening inside its schools. News4Jax requested comment from the Duval County School Board. Dr. Tracy Pierce, the director of communications, said the board won’t comment on pending litigation or about the grand jury report until it’s complete.

DCPS board reaches tentative deal with teachers union

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County Public Schools board and Duval Teachers United have reached a tentative, three-year agreement, which includes pay raises for thousands of teachers but falls short of being considered by union leadership as a “fair” deal for veteran employees. In Duval County, it’s $45,891. The frustration in many districts, including Duval County’s, is that raising the base salary offers veteran teachers a fraction of the raise that newer, less-experienced teachers are provided. Brady and other union members told News4Jax that they understand that this equity issue was created in Tallahassee -- not the Duval County School Board chamber. “We want to at least maintain for our veteran teachers, it is not equitable, it’s not fair.

Sandalwood High teacher gets 5-day suspension for ‘unprofessional conduct’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A math teacher at Sandalwood High School will be suspended for five days without pay after a unanimous vote by the Duval County School Board on Tuesday night. The five-day suspension for Caggiano’s “unprofessional conduct” did not specify what motivated the consequence. It was unanimously approved in the same vote as several other business items including a 10-day, unpaid suspension of Benjamin Wade, listed as a social studies teacher at Alfred DuPont Middle School. Neither Caggiano nor Wade has any previous professional discipline listed in the Florida Department of Education’s database. News4Jax reporter Corley Peel reached out to Caggiano on Wednesday, and he said: “All I have to say is I did nothing wrong.”

Sandalwood teacher faces suspension over ‘unprofessional conduct’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board is set to vote Tuesday on whether to suspend a Sandalwood High School math teacher for a week without pay. Thomas Caggiano, who previously came under scrutiny last year over public posts he made on Facebook, faces a five-day suspension over unspecified “unprofessional conduct,” according to a copy of the school board’s Dec. 1 agenda. The school district would not specify what that language means. The school district’s Office of Equity and Inclusion/Professional Standards counseled Caggiano on LGBTQ inclusion after the incident with a transgender student, but no further disciplinary action was taken. A school district spokesperson said he was reassigned this summer to the district’s operations center in Northwest Jacksonville, a role away from students.

Duval County school district leaders may soon be looking for a new home

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The main office of Duval County Public Schools is in a convenient, central location of Jacksonville. But during a workshop last week, Duval County School Board member Lori Hershey said it’s time to consider making a move. “I totally agree with Ms. Hershey that now is a good time to explore that,” said School Board member Warren Jones. School Board Vice Chairman Darryl Willie said: “Through the chair, I could definitely get behind this resolution. A proposal is expected to be brought up at the next School Board meeting in December.

Duval school board swears in new members, elects officers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board swore in two new members and elected a new chair and vice-chair on Tuesday. Board member Elizabeth Andersen was elected as the new chairwoman and Board member Darryl Willie was elected vice-chair. Former chair Warren A. Jones (District 5) along with Lori Hershey (District 7) were also sworn in after winning reelection. “I am grateful to former Board Chair Warren Jones and the many leaders that have come before me for laying a foundation for success,” said Andersen. “I am honored to serve the community as chair of the Duval County School Board.”Charlotte Joyce (District 6), who was elected in 2018, is the seventh board member.

Duval County voters approve half-cent sales tax for schools

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Voters in Duval County said yes to a half-cent sales tax increase to raise nearly $2 billion to fund improving the city’s schools over the next 15 years. The half-cent ballot item is expected to generate that total for Duval County Public Schools, a significant portion of that going toward safety and security, building upgrades and renovations at facilities across the city. Some of the lowest-income areas of Duval County will need the highest number of that tax money. — Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) November 4, 2020Curry also thanked Duval County voters for supporting the tax, saying it’s an investment in the county’s children and their futures. Look at how that half-cent sales tax will benefit area schools.

With week to election, Duval School Board makes push for half-cent tax

JACKSONVILLE, FLa. – On Monday evening, members of the Duval County School Board made another pitch for a half-cent sales tax referendum, which appears on the election ballot for Duval County voters. The half-cent sales tax money would also go toward safety and security, building upgrades and renovations at schools across the city. RELATED: How Duval County’s half-cent sales tax would benefit schools in your neighborhood“Just like work spaces, research shows a good learning environment improves achievement. And all students in (Duval) County deserve a building and resources to succeed," said board member Darryl Willie. Duval County School Board members encourage everyone to stay informed and follow the district on Facebook and on its referendum website.

City leaders push for sales tax to benefit crumbling Duval schools

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Now that schools in Duval County have reopened for in-person learning, some city leaders say it’s time to shift the focus back to improving public schools in Jacksonville. Former Mayor John Delaney, former Jacksonville Sheriff Nat Glover and former Duval County School Board Chair Martha Barrett came together for a discussion Thursday about the proposed half-cent sales tax that would benefit crumbling schools. Photos were shared during a virtual forum of leaking roofs, torn-up floors and ceiling tiles inside schools that are nearly 100 years old. Duval County schools are the oldest in the state, with millions of dollars in backlog maintenance. According to the district, the tax will cost most families about $6 a month -- that’s $72 per year for a better learning environment for Duval County children.

WATCH LIVE: Jill Biden hosts virtual roundtable on school reopenings in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Jill Biden virtually hosts a roundtable conversation on school reopenings in Jacksonville as part of her national Back-to-School tour. The roundtable will be moderated by Duval County School Board member Darryl Willie and feature Duval County parents and teachers. Participants will discuss the challenges of distance learning and the recent return to in-person learning. Watch the event by clicking the video play button below:

Board member says a Duval schools COVID-19 dashboard is coming soon

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. After days of uncertainty, it appears that the public will soon have access to COVID-19 data related to schools in Duval County. This comes after the Florida Department of Health asked the district to stop reporting staff and students testing positive in schools last week. The Volusia County school district is the latest to post its dashboard after being told by local health officials the information was confidential. In explaining why it published the data, the school district said the Florida Department of Education requested COVID-19 reporting at the district level.News4Jax reached out to the Florida Department of Education about the guidance. And for parents, deciding to bring their children back to the school setting wouldnt have that information without this dashboard.

3 more Duval County school names under review

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board voted to add three more schools to the list of those being considered for a name change. Board member Ashley Smith-Juarez introduced a bill that would add Andrew Jackson High School, Jean Ribault High School and Jean Ribault Middle School to the list, bringing the total to nine. The Duval County School Board previously voted unanimously to begin the renaming process for six public schools whose names honor Confederate leaders: Joseph Finegan Elementary, Stonewall Jackson Elementary, Jefferson Davis Middle, Kirby-Smith Middle, J.E.B. According to the Duval County School Board, The Jacksonville Public Education Fund created the fund to allow community members to support public school renamings through tax-deductible donations. The fund would help offset the costs of renaming the six schools if the Duval County School Board approves new names.

DCPS launches school reopening resource website

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Just hours after the Duval County School Board voted 5-2 in favor of Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene’s reopening plan, DCPS launched a new branch of its website focus on disseminating the information parents need to prepare for the school year. The website, called “Back to School 2020,” allows users to navigate through pages dedicated to pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle, high and exceptional student education schools. The website also includes a comprehensive breakdown of the district’s COVID-19 prevention protocols including the process for entering the school, transferring between classes, classroom prevention measures and meal service. The page “Reducing the Spread: Precautions for Health” includes the thresholds and procedures for COVID-19 related closures at a classroom, school or district-wide level. (Information from the DCPS website) (Copyright 2020 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.)

Duval County School Board, District 5

Four of seven seats on the Duval County School Board are up for election this year. Incumbent Warren Jones is being challenged by Brenda Ann Jordan in District 5, which covers Northwest Jacksonville and most of the Westside. I would like the people to remember Brenda A. Jordan (Candidate) the New Vision of DCPS School Board District 5. Moreover, race relation should be part of a diverse sound curriculum in which teachers, students, parents are appropriately trained on how to learn to respect and embrace one another differences. Campaign website: .brendaajordan.comCampaign’s social media pages: Facebook | TwitterThe Jacksonville Public Education Fund hosted virtual candidate forums for each of the School Board races.

Duval County School Board, District 7

Four of seven seats on the Duval County School Board are up for election this year. During my first term on the School Board, I served as Vice-Chair during the superintendent search which resulted in the hiring of Dr. Greene. I am on the Board of Directors for the Florida School Board Association and The Council of Great City Schools. I was an honest and hardworking school board member who actually improved the quality of education while reducing property taxes. Campaign website: turnerforschoolboard.comCampaign’s social media pages: turnerforschoolboard@comcast.netThe Jacksonville Public Education Fund hosted virtual candidate forums for each of the School Board races.

Duval County School Board, District 3

Four of seven seats on the Duval County School Board are up for election this year. The safety, health, and well-being of our students, teachers, school personnel and all who come in contact with them must take precedence. -I would like to see all families have pathways of good public school options within their neighborhoods from elementary to middle to high school. The current School Board will set the policy to get students and teachers back to school. Campaign website: votecindypearson.comCampaign’s social media pages: FacebookThe Jacksonville Public Education Fund hosted virtual candidate forums for each of the School Board races.

5 things Duval County Schools says parents need to do before school year

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A day after the Duval County School Board approved a proposed reopening plan, the School District has released a list of five things parents and guardians should do before school begins on the planned date of Aug. 20. Register for online option (Skip if going back to classroom)Students doing at-home learning through Duval HomeRoom can register until July 31. (Go to 3 to learn more about Focus)Students can also register for Duval Virtual Instruction Academy, a fully-online school. 3) Make sure you have a parent Focus accountFocus is the online portal for parents of Duval County students. Using the portal, parents should create a student I.D., register a parent/guardian account and link their students account.

New district plan shows Duval County Schools will postpone start of school 10 days

Its official-- Duval County school leaders confirm the first day of the new school year is August 20th. Thats 10 days after the original start day for the new school year. READ: Full plan from Duval County School BoardThe school board is expected to vote on this plan tomorrow. As of now, this plan calls for elementary school students to start back in the classroom 5 days a week. While elementary school students will be at their assigned brick and mortar school every day, Middle school students would go 3 to 4 days a week and high school students would attend 2 days a week.

Duval County School Board moving forward with plans to rename local schools

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The Duval County School Board will meet today to establish a procedure to move forward with the renaming of local schools. The board is already in the process of renaming 6 local schools named after Confederate generals. A crowd-funding campaign is expected to offset the costs of the name changes. The board said funds from the campaign would go to purchasing new signs, paint, team uniforms, and more. RELATED: $1M needed to rename Confederate-named schools in JacksonvilleThe school board will hold a workshop, committee meeting, and policy handbook review during todays meeting.

Duval School Board to vote on suspending safety drills during COVID-19

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The Duval County School Board will consider a resolution Thursday that would ask the Florida Department of Education to waive the requirement that districts perform emergency drills for fires, natural disasters, active shooters, hostage situations and bomb threats. The COVID-19 pandemic is a monumental and unprecedented challenge, emerging quickly and demanding an immediate overhaul of instructional plans and school operations across the country, the resolution said. The stated purpose of the resolution is to prioritize the practice of social distancing. Florida Statutes require the district conduct emergency drills for fires, natural disasters, active shooter and hostage situations, and bomb threats, for all K-12 students and faculty at all public schools at least as often and other emergency drills, the resolution said. The special meeting is set to be held in the Cline Auditorium at the DCPS Administration Building.

Duval County schools back-to-school plan a fluid situation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Superintendent Diana Greene told the Duval County School Board while releasing her back-to-school plan amid the COVID-19 pandemic that its about choice and flexibility. These choices include in-school options, distance learning through Duval HomeRoom and fully virtual learning through the Duval Virtual Instruction Academy.Greene called the COVID-19 era a fluid because conditions change rapidly. We have better capabilities to maintain social distance and isolate classrooms of students in elementary schools and elementary school students cannot stay home alone if parents need to go to work, Greene wrote. In-school option for middle and high: Hybrid on Aug. 10 with a full week in school after Labor Day. MORE ONLINE: dcps.duvalschools.org/backtoschoolRELATED STORIES: Superintendent previews back-to-school plan | Students must wear masks on busNews4Jax is listening in on a school board workshop Tuesday morning as this plan is reviewed.

New plan in the works as concerns grow for parents of Duval County students

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. On Wednesday morning, the Duval County School Board resumed a six-hour marathon board meeting where hundreds of frustrated parents and students shared concerns over the reopening of schools. The emergency order from Floridas education commissioner has scrapped several districts reopening plans, including Duval County Public Schools. Another aspect of the schools plans, Hershey says, that will need to tweak under the mandate for all schools to re-open. Duval County parent Virginia Lesperance, said shes relieved but cautious about sending her student back into the classroom. Meanwhile, in Miami-Dade, the superintendent said its schools will not be able to open all schools while the county is still in Phase 1.

DCPS crowdfunding $1M needed to rename Confederate-named schools in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A special fund has been created to help raise the money needed to rename six Duval County schools that are currently named after prominent Confederate leaders. According to the Duval County School Board, The Jacksonville Public Education Fund created the fund to allow community members to support public school renamings through tax-deductible donations. The alumni are pushing to keep the school’s name, saying the Lee High has too much history to change its name. It’s about Southern pride,” said Lee High School alumnus Joey Steves. Lee High alumnus Todd Thompson said: “I think Robert E. Lee is a great name for a high school.

Duval schools left scrambling to adjust after state mandate

The Duval County School Board is meeting Tuesday night to try to figure out the next steps. The Duval County plan, however, did not include every school re-opening its doors five days a week. Duval County was planning to release its final plans Tuesday, but the mandate is forcing them to adjust. Never before have we had to open schools during a pandemic, said Duval County School Board Chairman Warren Jones. I dont know any other way to put it, said Patrick Canan, St. Johns County School Board Member.

Duval school board chairman wants parents involved in reopening process

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Duval County School Board Chairman Warren Jones said Wednesday the school district wants to hear from the public as it figures out the best way to resume learning this fall. On Tuesday, the school board voted to approve a multi-million dollar plan to buy plexiglass partitions for classroom desks. That process to approve and change calendar dates is one made by a number of groups; parents, teachers, students who are involved, the administration that is involved in setting that calendar. The results were eye-opening for Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene who spoke about the survey during a school board workshop. That could mean more than 1,500 Duval County teachers might not come back, if the USA Today survey results come to fruition.