JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – 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.
Currently, the city’s Office of General Counsel is responsible for hiring legal representation for the school board. Board Chair Charlotte Joyce said this arrangement is limiting the district’s options.
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“Looking at the quality of applicants and the number of applicants, we just didn’t really have the depth that I felt like was needed for a large urban school district in Florida,” Joyce said.
The push for change comes as the board struggles to replace its previous attorney, Ray Pool, who resigned in May. Joyce explained that Duval is one of the few school districts in Florida where the board does not hire its own counsel, making recruitment difficult.
She also noted that attorneys hired under the current system must leave their state retirement benefits behind—a further obstacle to attracting qualified candidates.
“If we vote on this resolution tonight, it can go to the city council,” Joyce said. “The city council will work through their processes of deliberation and debate.”
Board members Cindy Pearson and Darryl Willie expressed concern about the timing and process. Willie shared that he felt the conversation on the dais proved why they weren’t ready for a vote.
“I know there’s a timeline we’re trying to hit, and this might be the right answer but we got to make sure we get it right,” said Willie, who represents District 4.
Others, like District 5’s Reginald Blount, supported considering the change. “I don’t think the city is going to fall apart because the school board wants to get their own general counsel,” Blount said. “I think it’s something that we should at least look at.”
Public opinion was also divided. Dr. Nancy Scott questioned the need for a separate lawyer, asking about the intended and unintended consequences and the potential budget impact. “Lawyers are not cheap,” she noted.
Some community members, however, supported the move. “This move to obtain your own legal representation is a long time coming, and fair-minded citizens can see that it’s not political. It’s prudent,” said Rebecca Nathanson.
Others remained skeptical. “It doesn’t feel like a coincidence. It feels and looks like politics,” said Yasmina White, who pointed to lingering questions and uncertainty from a previous board meeting.
Despite concerns raised by board member Michael Fackler and others, the resolution passed with a 5-2 vote.
