JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County Schools are once again considering consolidating schools, this time focusing on Mayport Elementary and Anchor Academy as part of an effort to optimize its resources.
Dana Arendt, a parent and substitute teacher at Mayport Elementary, has been involved in the working group discussing the consolidation.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Duval County schools consider consolidating Mayport Elementary, Anchor Academy | DCPS to discuss possible school consolidation at meeting
“I think both schools really truly have a lot to offer, and I think coming together will be even stronger,” Arendt said.
Despite the potential benefits, Arendt acknowledged the emotional difficulty of the process.
“We don’t want Anchor to close, we don’t want Mayport to close because nobody wants their school to close,” she said.
However, she explained that from a financial standpoint, consolidating to reach a student population of about 700 makes sense.
Emily Macis, a military spouse whose children attend Anchor Academy, expressed concern about the possible closure.
“We just love our school, we love our community and we don’t want to see it go,” she said.
When asked if she would consider staying with Mayport if the consolidation happens, Macis replied, “We would probably end up going to a different school that’s built to last.”
Meanwhile, School Board Vice Chair April Carney is exploring a potential federal grant from the Department of Defense that could fund a new school. This initiative aims to create a unique partnership between the Department of Defense and Duval County Public Schools to support military families.
“It has come to my attention from having multiple conversations with Congressman Rutherford that there is a grant that’s available through the Department of Defense that in the past has built schools,” Carney said. “I thought, what a great way to be able to bring these two communities together by having something that’s never happened in Duval County.”
She acknowledged that change is hard but says it’s needed in order for the district to survive financially.
“I look at it as an opportunity to meet new friends, and meet new favorite teachers, and more parents, more PTA, more functions, and most importantly, being able to provide expanded services to all of our students,” said Carney.
At this stage, no final decisions have been made.
The school board will review the consolidation recommendation at a workshop on November 18, followed by a vote at the December 1 school board meeting.