Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Kim Daniels wants answers about why the Duval County School Board is exploring closing more schools.
In a letter to Board Chair Charlotte Joyce, Daniels questions proposed closures of Long Branch Elementary School and Anchor Academy in Mayport.
The closures are not imminent, with Long Branch Elementary set to consolidate into R.L. Brown Academy in 2027–28 and Anchor Elementary to consolidate into Mayport Elementary in 2028–29 Board members are using that time to seek “additional community input,” which Daniels provides.
“Under the district’s consolidation plan, students from Long Branch would be assigned to R.L. Brown Elementary School, a route that requires crossing a major roadway. This presents significant concerns regarding student safety and transportation access, particularly for younger children,” the legislator wrote.
“Families deserve to know how this plan was evaluated and whether the district fully considered the safety implications of requiring children to travel across such a roadway to attend school.
Daniels also objects to the Long Branch closure, saying “a school serving military connected families warrants a clear and thorough explanation given the broader impact such a decision would have on those who serve our country.”
She also questions the District’s reserves and spending in light of claims of a $140 million deficit, saying they are “materially higher than what would typically indicate a budget crisis,” and took issue with $13 million in raises for teachers and administrators.
“These actions have left many families questioning the district’s true financial condition and the justification for decisions that directly impact their communities,” Daniels wrote.
“How could the district approve more than $13 million in salary increases during the same months it claimed that school closures were financially necessary due to budget strain?”
Daniels is seeking summaries for Fiscal Years 2024-25 and 2025-26, studies supporting school consolidation, details on the $140 million shortfall the district trumpeted, and “additional consolidations, closures, or property disposition plans that have been discussed, evaluated, or projected by the district beyond those currently identified.”
