JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier on Tuesday laid out priorities for the 2026-27 school year at a Back-to-School media briefing, focusing on teacher investment, academics, safety, enrollment and transportation as the district prepares for classes to resume Aug. 10.
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Bernier credited teachers, school leaders, support staff, the school board and community partners for “historic academic progress” and noted the district has earned an A grade from the state for the second consecutive year. He said the district also recorded a 97.6 percent traditional graduation rate and significant gains in teacher retention and compensation.
“There is no academic success story without great teachers,” Bernier said.
He also said retention improved from 87 percent to 91 percent, vacancies fell from 6.0 percent to 4.4 percent and teachers received an average of $8,600 in additional pay since a 2022 voter-approved property tax support measure.
Teacher funding and millage renewal
Bernier urged voters to participate in November’s elections, including a one-mill renewal the school district will ask the community to consider. He said his role is to explain how the millage supports schools; state law prevents him from urging people how to vote.
The funding, Bernier said, helped stabilize staffing and reduce vacancies by increasing pay and competitiveness in a national shortage of educators.
Academic priorities and literacy push
Academically, Bernier said the district is doubling down on literacy and the science of reading, using curriculum developed through the University of Florida literacy initiative. He announced a long-term “moonshot” goal to raise literacy rates dramatically, acknowledging it will take years of aligned instruction and consistent leadership.
Bernier said district leaders have increased focus on instruction, shifting cabinet meetings to the topic and aligning regional superintendents to deliver a consistent message to principals and classroom teachers. He also warned the state’s accountability targets have grown more stringent and pledged continued work to meet them.
Safety and student protections
Safety, Bernier said, remains the foundation of the district’s work. He described a “layered approach” that includes school police, threat assessment, K-9 units for weapons and narcotics detection, expanded weapons-detection technology at middle and high schools and plans to roll out additional detection systems in elementary schools.
Bernier highlighted the district’s “Be Safe, Be Seen” initiative, which has reduced vehicle-pedestrian incidents, and stressed mandatory reporting policies. He urged anyone with concerns about a child’s safety to contact the Florida Department of Children and Families hotline or to report through district channels.
Transportation improvements
Transportation was another major focus. Bernier said the district has added GPS locators on buses tied to its own system — rather than relying solely on contractors — and launched routing software and a digital tracking system.
A Transportation Parent Service Desk, opened in March, provides a dedicated hotline and staff to reduce wait times and improve communication about routes and delays. Stop cameras on buses will continue to help identify motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.
Parents’ choice, marketing and customer service
Bernier said the district is working to be the “first choice” for families by improving customer service, expanding career and technical education pathways, and helping parents make informed school-choice decisions.
He said schools are developing targeted marketing plans and that the district will encourage families to visit schools, meet principals and review programs before selecting a school.
Board members and cabinet officials joined Bernier at the briefing. He closed by saying the district is proud of recent progress but not satisfied
“An A rating is not a finish line,” he said, adding the district must continue raising expectations and investing in students and teachers.