The Duval County School Board approved a $2 million contract with Communication Technologies Inc. this week to begin installing weapons detection systems in elementary schools starting in the 2026-27 school year.
Now that Senate Bill 538 has been signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a new set of questions begins. What happens next?
Sales tax dollars approved by Duval County voters are helping shape the future of local education. Crews broke ground this month on a new Pickett Elementary School on Jacksonville’s Northside, launching a nearly $34.9 million construction project off Old Kings Road near Pritchard Road.
The Jacksonville city councilwoman for District 9 was removed from her classroom duties and temporarily reassigned to a non-student-related role amid an ongoing human resources investigation, Duval County Public Schools confirmed to News4JAX on Thursday.
Construction began in March on a new Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary that Duval County Public Schools says will open as a pre-K-5 campus in August 2027.
A nonprofit developer plans to build 120 affordable apartments on Jacksonville’s Northside at the site of the former Lake Forest Elementary School, which closed in 2019.
Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier urged drivers to be more attentive and said the district is launching public safety campaigns after two school buses were struck while stopped at railroad crossings within a week.
A tow truck struck a school bus carrying first and second graders near a Jacksonville railroad crossing Wednesday, just days after a separate crash in the same area sent four kindergartners to the hospital.
Just a week shy of a bus crash that injured four kindergarten students along Zoo Parkway, Duval County Public Schools said another school bus that was leaving the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens on Wednesday was involved in a “minor” crash.
A Jacksonville group has challenged three books—two by Jodi Picoult and one by Stephen King—in Duval County Schools, citing state law violations. Group member Blake Harper emphasized the procedural focus of the challenge, denying interest in publicity. Opponents, including Bryan Amerling, argued that banning books is a First Amendment issue and restricts knowledge. The school district is investigating the challenges and determining the books' availability.
News4JAX is getting answers to questions about the new cameras that are mounted on nearly 900 Duval County public school buses to catch drivers who do not stop when they are supposed to when buses drop off and pick up students.
A family whose child was aboard a school bus struck from behind by a semi-truck on Thursday is pursuing legal action, the family’s attorney said.
Jason Goodrich started an online petition calling for expanded trade programs in Duval County schools. District leaders have since invited News4JAX to tour their career and technology campuses for a firsthand look at what is already available to students.
According to video and photos shared with News4JAX, a school bus was rear-ended by a semi on Thursday morning while crossing train tracks on Zoo Parkway, not far from Imeson Park Boulevard.
According to video and photos shared with News4JAX, a school bus was rear-ended by a semi on Thursday morning while crossing train tracks on Zoo Parkway, not far from Imeson Park Boulevard.
Duval County Public Schools is rolling out new technology to crack down on drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses — and the fines start at $225.
Duval County Public Schools is rolling out new technology to crack down on drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses — and the fines start at $225.
The arrest warrant for a former Duval County School Police officer accused of engaging in a romantic relationship with a student is shedding more light on his alleged communications with students that investigators say led to his arrest.
A former Duval County school police officer was arrested Thursday evening following a joint investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Duval County School Police, the district said.
A former Duval County school police officer was arrested Thursday evening following a joint investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Duval County School Police, the district said.
Duval County Public Schools said it is investigating allegations involving an ROTC instructor’s actions at Sandalwood High School.
Duval County Public Schools is alerting families about an unofficial “Senior Skip Day” circulating on social media and is urging students to stay in class.
Jason Goodrich, 25, who attended Duval County schools, is pressing for more trade pathways for students who do not plan or do not have the opportunity to attend college.
Duval County Public Schools said there was no weapon found on a school bus that went to James Weldon Johnson Middle School on Friday morning.
The driver of a Student Transportation of America school bus has been removed from service after a recent “deeply troubling incident,” the bus company confirmed Wednesday to News4JAX.
The Duval County School Board is set to vote Tuesday night on whether to ask voters to renew a 1-mill property tax that the district says helps fund teacher salary supplements and other school programs, including arts, athletics and safety-related needs.
The chief of police for Duval County Public Schools addressed parents’ concerns Friday morning following the stabbing of a middle school student on a school bus in the Grand Park area.
Duval County Public Schools said on Thursday it is adjusting its administrative headquarters relocation plans after it received notification from Chase Properties of its intent to terminate the agreement to purchase the district’s Southbank headquarters.
There was a heavy law enforcement presence in the Grand Park area on Thursday morning.
Duval County Public Schools is in the process of installing metal detectors at Springfield, Mandarin, Oceanway and Ribault middle schools this week.
A Mandarin High School student was arrested after making a threat to shoot up the school, Duval County Public Schools said.
The Florida Department of Education sent out a memo Tuesday to statewide school districts, warning staff members against encouraging student protests.
Post your questions now in the comment section for Jim Culbert, chief officer of Operations and Technology for DCPS. He will be joining News4JAX to explain what is being done to improve transportation for students.
Duval County Schools is considering boundary changes as part of future school consolidations. A working group recently discussed several options for four of the 12 schools under consideration for boundary changes.
Duval County residents have a chance to weigh in on Thursday on proposed elementary school boundary changes, as officials hold a public meeting to gather feedback before any decisions are made.
The Class of 2025 set a district record as Duval County Public Schools reported a historically high graduation rate Tuesday, with gains across every student subgroup and at nearly every high school.
The Duval County School Board has rejected requests from Miami-based Mater Academy to open charters in two Jacksonville schools under the “Schools of Hope” law.
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.
Before Duval County Public Schools students return to class on Wednesday, DCPS and Farah & Farah will launch a new public education initiative on Tuesday, urging drivers to stop for school buses and slow down in school zones.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary students were “safely transported” to Ed White High School after a power outage disrupted school activities on Friday afternoon, according to Duval County Public Schools.
A man was arrested Wednesday in Texas after he was accused of making online threats that prompted lockouts at four Duval County Public Schools, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Four Duval County schools remained on a precautionary lockout Tuesday as law enforcement continued to investigate reported threats made by a non-custodial parent, according to Duval County Public Schools.
Four Duval County schools were placed on lockout Monday afternoon due to “police activity in the area,” according to Duval County Public Schools.
Two Jacksonville councilmembers will meet Monday morning to discuss Duval County Public Schools’ plan to consolidate schools.
A major intersection in Mandarin closed early Thursday after a car crash caused traffic signals and wires to fall onto the road.
Duval County Public Schools will host a District Interview Day for prospective employees districtwide on Tuesday.
During a joint meeting on Thursday between the Jacksonville City Council and the Duval County School Board, leaders discussed both the district’s academic turnaround and a troubling increase in accidents involving students walking to and from school.
The Duval County School Board on Tuesday approved not only a $17.2 million sale of its riverfront headquarters but also the purchase of a new HQ location: the Dream Finders building on Prominence Parkway off Baymeadows Road.
A long-awaited vision for Jacksonville’s riverfront is finally taking shape, as Chase Properties prepares to turn the Duval County School Board’s former headquarters into a luxury, mixed-use destination.
The Duval County School Board passed a new $17.2 million offer for its riverfront headquarters, following last month’s failed negotiations with Fleet Landing.
Turning Point USA is expanding its presence with new chapters, including one starting soon at Fletcher High School in Duval County. However, a message showing someone holding a sign that reads “9 millimeters beats 911 every time” has raised concerns among students who see it as promoting gun violence in a school setting.
Miami-based charter school operator Mater Academy, which is targeting school districts across the state under the expanded “Schools of Hope” program, has major plans for Duval County, according to a report from our news partner, Jacksonville Today.
During School Bus Safety Week, a Duval County driver opens up about the real-life challenges behind the wheel — from keeping students safe to dealing with distracted drivers. Plus, how new technology is helping track students and bring peace of mind to parents.
The Jacksonville City Council voted against a resolution that would have allowed the Duval County School Board to change the city charter and hire its own attorney.
More than a dozen students accused of attacking another student in a Jacksonville school have been issued juvenile civil citations and face possible charges, according to Duval County Public Schools (DCPS).
The grandmother of a Duval County Public Schools student says her family is now speaking with an attorney after her 11-year-old grandson was attacked by more than 10 teammates inside a Landmark Middle School locker room.
Duval County school board members are facing backlash from parents over pink shirts they wore at a recent meeting. The shirts, worn by four board members, including Chair Charlotte Joyce, featured the phrase “This Is The Turning Point” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, some parents believe the message is linked to the conservative group Turning Point, founded by Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last month.
News4JAX wants to know, if the Duval County School Board takes up the issue of selling the Southbank property again, what do YOU want to see replace the headquarters along the Southbank?
In a unanimous 0–7 vote, board members rejected a proposal that would have sold the district’s riverfront headquarters to Fleet Landing, a nonprofit planning to redevelop the site into a retirement community.
Duval County Schools is preparing to vote on a significant proposal that could move its district headquarters away from the Southbank riverfront location it has occupied for decades. However, District 3 Board Member Cindy Pearson expressed concerns about the deal on Facebook hours before the vote takes place on Tuesday afternoon, calling it “bad deals for DCPS and taxpayers.”
As the Duval County School Board prepares for a pivotal vote on the future of its Southbank headquarters, some Jacksonville residents are raising concerns about what could take its place.
The attorney representing a prominent Jacksonville activist and adjunct Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teacher, who’s under fire for controversial remarks on social media, called for her return to the classroom.
Duval County School Board members are holding a workshop on Wednesday to learn more about a possible move for the district’s headquarters.
A bus driver with Duval County schools was arrested and accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Duval County Schools is exploring whether to consolidate Mayport Elementary and Anchor Academy, prompting parents, alumni, and district officials to meet to discuss what such a change could mean for students.
A Duval County Public Schools staff member received counseling on proper document disposal protocols after confidential student records were found scattered across a Northwest Jacksonville intersection in July.
On Tuesday night, the school board voted 6-1 to allow Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier to continue contract negotiations to purchase a new building in Baymeadows for $14 million. The current headquarters sits on the Southbank along the St. Johns River — a piece of real estate many consider prime for redevelopment.
The Duval County School Board is poised to make a big move Tuesday night in the process of potentially relocating the district’s headquarters.
The mother of a Westside High School student, who was body slammed by a teacher while playing musical chairs, said she hopes taking legal action against the school employee will lead to his removal from the Duval County Public Schools system.
A national Bible study program is working to launch in Duval County Public Schools, but the proposal is drawing concern from some parents who worry that it will take kids out of class during school hours.
The uniform policy is expected to be a main topic of conversation at the meeting, which is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Media Center at Westside High. It’s sponsored by the School Advisory Council, which helps create the school’s uniform policy, according to the district’s guidelines.
The Duval County Public Schools’ headquarters building could be sold sooner rather than later, and officials with the purchasing group said they plan to build a retirement community after tearing down the Southbank building.
As the first week of classes wraps up in Duval County, the debate over school uniforms continues after one Jacksonville mother says her daughter, a freshman at Ed White, missed the entire first week of school because she couldn’t afford the required uniform package.
As the new school year begins, some Duval County families say they’re struggling to afford school uniforms, and local advocates warn that the need is keeping students out of class.
A Jacksonville mom is calling for change in a Northside neighborhood near where a young teenager was hit while trying to cross an intersection.
Duval County Public Schools said any questions about school uniforms should be directed to school administrators, as frustration mounts for Westside High parents.
READ USA is actively recruiting students aged 16-21 to become Literacy Tutors at 14 Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) elementary schools for the Fall semester. Tutors have the opportunity to earn $15/hour, build valuable workforce skills, and – through the training, coaching, and curriculum provided by READ USA – help students who are struggling to read become proficient, fluent readers.
More than 130,000 students are returning to class in Duval County Public Schools, starting Monday. DCPS, which is the 18th largest school district in the U.S., includes 197 schools served by 11,560 staff members. And for the first time, they will be attending school in an “A” district.
The first day of school in Duval County is just around the corner, and as students prepare to return to class on Monday, district leaders are reflecting on a year of historic achievement—and looking ahead to new challenges.
Low-income families can still apply for free or reduced-price meals, and students on programs like SNAP will be automatically registered.
The Duval County School Board has voted to ask the city of Jacksonville to amend its charter, paving the way for the board to hire its own legal counsel—independent from the city’s Office of General Counsel. The move passed by a 5-2 vote.
Duval County Public Schools has implemented significant policy changes over the past year to enhance student safety and prevent employee misconduct. We look at what those policy changes are and what caused the need for the changes.
Dozens of folders and documents that appear to include the names of students who attend schools within Duval County’s school district were found littered across a roadway on the city’s Northwest side Wednesday.
Duval County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier has received high praise from the school board after completing his first year at the helm after a recent evaluation, Dr. Bernier’s performance was rated “highly effective,” with an overall score of 3.6 out of a possible 4.0.
The Duval County School Board’s recent achievement of its first-ever “A” grade could be the beginning of potential growth for Jacksonville’s housing market.
After Duval County Public Schools earned an “A” grade for the first time in history, Superintendent Christopher Bernier praised the district’s efforts to achieve that milestone.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference Monday afternoon in Jacksonville.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference Monday afternoon in Jacksonville.
We're learning how local school districts performed on the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, or FAST. A Duval County parent weighs in on the district's performance.
Months after lawmakers proposed slashing bonuses for acceleration programs in half, full funding to pay for advanced placement programs in Florida public schools is expected to stay in place in the final version of the budget.
Beginning next school year, Duval County Public Schools will cut free lunch provided through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Families will need to complete a free or reduced-price meal application or be certified by the state to get assistance.
Beginning next school year, Duval County Public Schools will cut free lunch provided through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Families will need to complete a free or reduced-price meal application or be certified by the state to get assistance.
A devastated Baymeadows community called for city officials to prioritize building a crosswalk for Baymeadows Road after a father and son were fatally hit on Friday night.
We’re shining the spotlight on Kie Young, president of the Japanese Association of Jacksonville. She’s also a member of the Mayor’s Asian American Advisory Board.
A Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) police officer was arrested Sunday and accused of multiple charges, including domestic battery by strangulation.
