JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County parents expressed continued concern after the school board did not move forward with a resolution for the expansion of Florida’s Schools of Hope program.
The program allows charter schools to co-locate with underutilized traditional public schools.
District 4 Board Member Darryl Willie brought the issue to the forefront during a board workshop. Willie referenced a recent Florida School Boards Association meeting, noting its apparent lean away from traditional schools.
“It wasn’t very pro traditional schools,” Willie said. “I think we now have a moment to really stand in and stand up and say no, we care about our traditional public schools.”
Board Chair Charlotte Joyce responded by suggesting a different approach to advocacy.
“Sometimes it’s better really to have private, personal conversations and talk to the people that are making these decisions on a very personal level,” Joyce said.
This private approach didn’t sit well with some parents. Mandy Rubin, a Duval County parent, called for more transparency from the board.
“All we’ve been hearing is about these private conversations and things that are happening that are fragile, but we’re not being told what,” Rubin said. “If they’re not willing to take up a resolution against the schools of hope co-location law, I need to know why.”
The discussion gained additional momentum when District 3 Board Member Cindy Pearson suggested holding a workshop specifically focused on Schools of Hope and proposed ideas for the board to take a formal position. However, Joyce said she wasn’t ready to take such action.
With the legislative session approaching, parents like Rubin expressed mounting frustration over the board’s hesitation.
“I don’t know what sort of green light they need,” Rubin said. “But to me, if you are a publicly elected official and the majority of your community is saying do something about this, please. To say, no, we’re not sure yet. We don’t know. That’s unacceptable.”
Joyce did not respond to requests for comment about parent concerns regarding the board’s stance on Schools of Hope.
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