Jacksonville City Council member Raul Arias says he is ready to move forward on a measure that would send Duval County Public Schools’ 1-mill property tax renewal to November’s ballot — and a standing-room-only community meeting Friday helped push him there.
The Duval County School Board approved a $2 million contract with Communication Technologies Inc. this week to begin installing weapons detection systems in elementary schools starting in the 2026-27 school year.
Jacksonville law enforcement, fire rescue personnel and Duval County school district officials came together at Stanton High School for a large-scale active shooter training exercise, practicing tactical response, first aid and student reunification procedures.
The Duval County School Board approved a $2 million contract with Communication Technologies Inc. this week to begin installing weapons detection systems in elementary schools starting in the 2026-27 school year.
A school security guard at Twin Lakes Academy Middle School was arrested Friday and accused of having inappropriate conduct with a student.
Students and parents at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School raised concerns that alleged inappropriate behavior by a longtime teacher may have gone unchecked before his arrest Friday on charges involving a student.
A teacher at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School was arrested Friday on multiple charges, including an offense against a student by an authority figure, according to a message sent to parents from the school’s principal.
Duval County Schools has more than doubled the number of books removed from shelves through an internal review process, raising transparency concerns from PEN America. The free expression group criticizes the lack of public oversight, noting the removals disproportionately impact students with limited access to books outside school. The district states the removals follow a state-mandated review by certified media specialists, separate from formal book challenges. Supporters of book challenges argue alternative access exists, but critics question whether a small group should decide what the entire community can access.
Sales tax dollars approved by Duval County voters are helping shape the future of local education. Crews broke ground this month on a new Pickett Elementary School on Jacksonville’s Northside, launching a nearly $34.9 million construction project off Old Kings Road near Pritchard Road.
Jacksonville City Councilwoman Tyrona Clark-Murray refused to answer questions from News4JAX Tuesday night, after Duval County Schools reassigned her to a non-student role amid an ongoing HR investigation.
Duval County Schools has temporarily disabled Canvas after the learning management platform was hit by what is being called the largest educational data breach on record — affecting 275 million people nationwide.
The Jacksonville city councilwoman for District 9 was removed from her classroom duties and temporarily reassigned to a non-student-related role amid an ongoing human resources investigation, Duval County Public Schools confirmed to News4JAX on Thursday.
Officer Anthony “Junior” Lucano, a dedicated member of the force, has died. The department remembered him as someone who dedicated his life to service, leaving a lasting impact on those he worked alongside and the community he served.
Drivers caught illegally passing stopped Duval County school buses will now face a $225 fine as the district’s stop-arm camera program moves out of its warning period.
Duval County Public Schools is equipping roughly 900 school buses with stop-arm cameras designed to catch drivers who fail to stop when buses are loading and unloading students. The program spent April in a warning period — and starting May 1, those warnings become $225 fines.
Construction began in March on a new Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary that Duval County Public Schools says will open as a pre-K-5 campus in August 2027.
A nonprofit developer plans to build 120 affordable apartments on Jacksonville’s Northside at the site of the former Lake Forest Elementary School, which closed in 2019.
Following recent incidents involving Duval County Public Schools buses, Duval County Public School’s Police Chief Jackson Short answered some questions about driver safety, road rules, and what drivers should expect near railroad crossings.
Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier urged drivers to be more attentive and said the district is launching public safety campaigns after two school buses were struck while stopped at railroad crossings within a week.
A tow truck struck a school bus carrying first and second graders near a Jacksonville railroad crossing Wednesday, just days after a separate crash in the same area sent four kindergartners to the hospital.
A Jacksonville group has challenged three books—two by Jodi Picoult and one by Stephen King—in Duval County Schools, citing state law violations. Group member Blake Harper emphasized the procedural focus of the challenge, denying interest in publicity. Opponents, including Bryan Amerling, argued that banning books is a First Amendment issue and restricts knowledge. The school district is investigating the challenges and determining the books' availability.
The cameras are supposed to capture footage of motorists who drive past stationary school buses with their “stop arm” extended, a violation of state law in most instances.
Duval County Public Schools is rolling out new technology to crack down on drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses — and the fines start at $225.
The arrest warrant for a former Duval County School Police officer accused of engaging in a romantic relationship with a student is shedding more light on his alleged communications with students that investigators say led to his arrest.
A former Duval County school police officer was arrested Thursday evening following a joint investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Duval County School Police, the district said.
A former Duval County school police officer was arrested Thursday evening following a joint investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Duval County School Police, the district said.
Duval County Public Schools said it is investigating allegations involving an ROTC instructor’s actions at Sandalwood High School.
Duval County Public Schools is alerting families about an unofficial “Senior Skip Day” circulating on social media and is urging students to stay in class.
The Duval County School Board voted to sell the closed Kings Trail Elementary School to Dream Finders Homes for about $3.7 million, a move that has drawn concern from nearby residents and neighborhood leaders.
Duval County Public Schools said there was no weapon found on a school bus that went to James Weldon Johnson Middle School on Friday morning.
The driver of a Student Transportation of America school bus has been removed from service after a recent “deeply troubling incident,” the bus company confirmed Wednesday to News4JAX.
Duval County Public School has put its Southbank headquarters back on the market after a deal with Chase Properties fell through in February.
The Duval County School Board is set to vote Tuesday night on whether to ask voters to renew a 1-mill property tax that the district says helps fund teacher salary supplements and other school programs, including arts, athletics and safety-related needs.
One day after the stabbing of a middle school student, who was taken to the hospital as a result, the 14-year-old suspect was accused of attempted second-degree murder, according to arrest reports.
The chief of police for Duval County Public Schools addressed parents’ concerns Friday morning following the stabbing of a middle school student on a school bus in the Grand Park area.
Violence on a school bus caused a major scene in the Grand Park area on Thursday morning.
Duval County Public Schools said on Thursday it is adjusting its administrative headquarters relocation plans after it received notification from Chase Properties of its intent to terminate the agreement to purchase the district’s Southbank headquarters.
A Mandarin High School student was arrested after making a threat to shoot up the school, Duval County Public Schools said.
The "Schools of Hope" law permits charter schools to “co-locate” within public school buildings, but parents and public school advocates are voicing strong opposition to recent proposed rule changes by the state Department of Education.
Post your questions now in the comment section for Jim Culbert, chief officer of Operations and Technology for DCPS. He will be joining News4JAX to explain what is being done to improve transportation for students.
Duval County Schools is considering boundary changes as part of future school consolidations. A working group recently discussed several options for four of the 12 schools under consideration for boundary changes.
A substitute teacher was arrested last Thursday after she was found possessing fentanyl while in an employee bathroom at Oceanway Middle School, according to arrest reports.
Duval County residents have a chance to weigh in on Thursday on proposed elementary school boundary changes, as officials hold a public meeting to gather feedback before any decisions are made.
The Duval County School Board is expected to discuss the “Schools of Hope” law during their Tuesday morning meeting.
A Duval County mom said repeated missed school bus pickups are putting both her sons’ education and her nursing job at risk. Now, the district and its bus contractor said they’re working on a solution.
The Class of 2025 set a district record as Duval County Public Schools reported a historically high graduation rate Tuesday, with gains across every student subgroup and at nearly every high school.
The Duval County School Board has rejected requests from Miami-based Mater Academy to open charters in two Jacksonville schools under the “Schools of Hope” law.
Duval County School Board voted 4-3 to add Schools of Hope to their legislative agenda during a meeting on Tuesday night. Schools of Hope is a controversial law that allows charter schools to share space with underutilized public schools.
Before Duval County Public Schools students return to class on Wednesday, DCPS and Farah & Farah will launch a new public education initiative on Tuesday, urging drivers to stop for school buses and slow down in school zones.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary students were “safely transported” to Ed White High School after a power outage disrupted school activities on Friday afternoon, according to Duval County Public Schools.
A man was arrested Wednesday in Texas after he was accused of making online threats that prompted lockouts at four Duval County Public Schools, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
A former substitute teacher assigned to Lake Shore Middle School is accused of encouraging two students to fight while on school grounds, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Four Duval County schools remained on a precautionary lockout Tuesday as law enforcement continued to investigate reported threats made by a non-custodial parent, according to Duval County Public Schools.
Four Duval County schools were placed on lockout Monday afternoon due to “police activity in the area,” according to Duval County Public Schools.
Two Jacksonville councilmembers will meet Monday morning to discuss Duval County Public Schools’ plan to consolidate schools.
Duval County parents expressed continued concern after the school board did not move forward with a resolution for the expansion of Florida’s Schools of Hope program.
State Representative Kimberly Daniels is raising concerns to Duval County Schools justification for school consolidations. She says looking into the numbers, something is not adding up. News4JAX also took a look at school consolidations and enrollment patterns at consolidated schools.
Duval County Public Schools will host a District Interview Day for prospective employees districtwide on Tuesday.
The Duval County School Board will vote Monday evening on whether to change high school boundaries and consolidate several schools across Jacksonville.
Duval County school leaders met Tuesday morning to discuss the possible consolidation of two schools, Anchor Academy and Mayport Elementary, and later in the day to discuss two more: R.L Brown Gifted and Talented Academy and Long Branch Elementary
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.
The Duval County School Board on Tuesday approved not only a $17.2 million sale of its riverfront headquarters but also the purchase of a new HQ location: the Dream Finders building on Prominence Parkway off Baymeadows Road.
A long-awaited vision for Jacksonville’s riverfront is finally taking shape, as Chase Properties prepares to turn the Duval County School Board’s former headquarters into a luxury, mixed-use destination.
The Duval County School Board passed a new $17.2 million offer for its riverfront headquarters, following last month’s failed negotiations with Fleet Landing.
Duval County Schools is once again considering a move away from its headquarters on the St. Johns River after a potential buyer withdrew from the deal as the school district now has a new front-runner interested in purchasing the Southbank property.
During School Bus Safety Week, a Duval County driver opens up about the real-life challenges behind the wheel — from keeping students safe to dealing with distracted drivers. Plus, how new technology is helping track students and bring peace of mind to parents.
The Duval County School Board’s decision to turn down a $20 million bid for its riverfront headquarters has ignited a deeper look at what other offers were in the running — and what they promised to bring.
More than a dozen students accused of attacking another student in a Jacksonville school have been issued juvenile civil citations and face possible charges, according to Duval County Public Schools (DCPS).
The Jacksonville City Council is expected to vote on a resolution on Tuesday that could change how the Duval County School Board gets legal advice by allowing the board to hire its own attorney.
The grandmother of a Duval County Public Schools student says her family is now speaking with an attorney after her 11-year-old grandson was attacked by more than 10 teammates inside a Landmark Middle School locker room.
Since Duval County School Board members opted out of a proposal that would have sold the district’s riverfront headquarters, questions loom about the site’s future.
In a unanimous 0–7 vote, board members rejected a proposal that would have sold the district’s riverfront headquarters to Fleet Landing, a nonprofit planning to redevelop the site into a retirement community.
Duval County Schools is preparing to vote on a significant proposal that could move its district headquarters away from the Southbank riverfront location it has occupied for decades. However, District 3 Board Member Cindy Pearson expressed concerns about the deal on Facebook hours before the vote takes place on Tuesday afternoon, calling it “bad deals for DCPS and taxpayers.”
Duval County Schools is preparing to vote on a significant proposal that could move its district headquarters away from the Southbank riverfront location it has occupied for decades. However, District 3 Board Member Cindy Pearson expressed concerns about the deal on Facebook hours before the vote takes place on Tuesday afternoon, calling it “bad deals for DCPS and taxpayers.”
Duval County teachers are being given the chance to participate in learning programs that will further advance civics and U.S. History education.
As the Duval County School Board prepares for a pivotal vote on the future of its Southbank headquarters, some Jacksonville residents are raising concerns about what could take its place.
Duval County schools are introducing a new concept called “traffic gardens” to teach students about road safety, and Twin Lakes Academy Elementary is among the schools implementing the program.
Duval County schools are taking action to improve pedestrian safety for students after a troubling start to the school year that has seen six students hit by cars, with one incident ending in a fatality.
A Duval County Public Schools staff member received counseling on proper document disposal protocols after confidential student records were found scattered across a Northwest Jacksonville intersection in July.
The Duval County School Board is poised to make a big move Tuesday night in the process of potentially relocating the district’s headquarters.
After losing two students to traffic crashes near campus, Ed White High School is taking innovative steps to protect its students with reflective-striped jackets as part of their uniform options.
The mother of a Westside High School student, who was body slammed by a teacher while playing musical chairs, said she hopes taking legal action against the school employee will lead to his removal from the Duval County Public Schools system.
The Duval County Public Schools’ headquarters building could be sold sooner rather than later, and officials with the purchasing group said they plan to build a retirement community after tearing down the Southbank building.
The Duval County Public Schools Board is expected to vote in September on selling its administrative headquarters and buying a new home in Baymeadows.
Duval County Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier shared a safety reminder after a middle school student died and another student was injured in crashes during the first week of school.
A Jacksonville mom is calling for change in a Northside neighborhood near where a young teenager was hit while trying to cross an intersection.
Two Duval County public schools that got an overhaul opened to students for the first time on Monday.
More than 130,000 students are returning to class in Duval County Public Schools, starting Monday. DCPS, which is the 18th largest school district in the U.S., includes 197 schools served by 11,560 staff members. And for the first time, they will be attending school in an “A” district.
A local church on Phoenix Avenue hosted a Back-to-School Jump-Off event Sunday morning, providing school supplies to children in need as summer break wraps up.
Currently, all city agencies, including the school board, must rely on the OGC for legal representation. Supporters of the change believe it could attract better candidates and potentially save the district money. However, some board members and community members worry the move is politically motivated.
With school starting in less than a week, Southside Estates Elementary School opened its doors on Thursday, unveiling the 101,000-square-foot campus.
The Duval County School Board has approved a measure to change school boundaries for the 2026-2027 academic year, with the goal of better balancing student populations across the district.
Duval County Public Schools has implemented significant policy changes over the past year to enhance student safety and prevent employee misconduct. We look at what those policy changes are and what caused the need for the changes.
R.V. Daniels consolidated into R.L. Brown at the end of last school year. The principal shares how they're preparing for the new school year, and a community member shares the emotional impact of losing a neighborhood school.
