JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Parents in Duval County are raising concerns about the direction of the school board’s policies, particularly regarding diversity, equity and inclusion.
Multiple organizations, including Public School Defenders, plan to rally Tuesday outside Duval County Schools. The groups are calling on the district to prioritize student success and equity in education.
“Our community is concerned with the direction some of the school board members are taking right now,” said Katie Hathaway, a Duval County parent and member of Public School Defenders.
Hathaway expressed frustration over recent changes to the district’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies.
RELATED: Parents concerned over proposed changes to DCPS’ DEI policy
“To see our equity policy completely redlined is not okay, and the real majority of people in this community are not okay with banning books in the year 2025,” she said. “We’re coming together to remind this board that they were elected to represent every child and every family in this district.”
When asked about the rally, Duval County Public Schools spokesperson Laureen Ricks shared:
“We support the constitutional right to peaceful demonstrations. This group shared their plans with the district earlier this month, and we will coordinate with them to ensure a peaceful gathering.”
Laureen Ricks, DCPS spokesperson
Hathaway hopes the rally will amplify parents’ voices.
“If we’re not intentional and have equity policies on the books, we risk widening the gaps that we should be working to close for students,” she said. “So we have to be intentional with our practices. Like I said, it’s very concerning to see our equity policy completely wiped off the books. As a parent, that’s not okay.”
The rally is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday outside the school district headquarters.
