Duval County Public Schools said that it’s created a dedicated HVAC service desk and increased its maintenance budget to address district-wide air-conditioning issues amid the current heat wave.
Crown Point Elementary was safely evacuated after a small electrical fire Thursday morning, according to Duval County Public Schools and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
Students at First Coast High tell News4JAX they’ve felt heat in classrooms and the cafeteria. DCPS says repairs are underway and a new chiller has been approved.
The Duval County school district is responding to concerns about air conditioning problems in schools — urging patience and saying it takes the issues seriously.
With school starting in less than a week, Jacksonville-area roads and sidewalks are about to get busier as parents, teachers and students head back to the classroom. With more people driving, walking and biking near schools, safety is top of mind, especially for pedestrians. A 2026 national ranking by KURU Footwear placed Jacksonville 34th out of 35 major U.S. cities in pedestrian safety, using pedestrian fatality rates and walkability data. The report lists Jacksonville’s pedestrian fatality rate at 3.05 deaths per 100,000 people and a Walk Score of 26. In Duval County Public Schools, leaders say they’re trying to reach kids early — before they’re navigating traffic around campuses on their own.
As students across Duval County head back to school, one Jacksonville company is making sure a need for technology doesn’t stand in the way of learning.
The News4JAX I-TEAM took data about high numbers of fights reported at three local middle schools to Duval County Public Schools to get answers about how the district is handling the issue of fighting in its schools.
One of the two vendors that run school bus routes for Duval County Public Schools could be short hundreds of drivers when school begins on Monday if the vendor and the drivers can’t come to a contract agreement.
Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier is pushing back on criticism over administrator salaries and addressing findings from a recent Office of Inspector General report as the district prepares to welcome students back to school on Monday.
Three of the seven seats on the Duval County School Board are up for election this year. These are nonpartisan races that will appear on the August primary ballot. In District 2, incumbent April Carney is not seeking re-election. Three candidates - Donovan Bradley, Terence Lavele Myers, and Donna Mae Westrich - are running in this race, which will appear on the ballot for all voters in this district, regardless of party affiliation.
With students returning to classrooms Aug. 10, Duval County Public Schools leaders say they’re entering the new school year focused on maintaining academic momentum, improving school safety and strengthening transportation while working to attract more families back to the district.
Jacksonville’s Office of Inspector General has uncovered what it calls a potentially systemic bypass of state building code requirements in Duval County Public Schools cafeteria kitchens, raising concerns about life-safety risks for students and staff.
A paraprofessional at Alden Road Exceptional Student Center has been arrested on felony child abuse charges following an alleged incident involving a student on campus.
Duval County Public Schools ended its partnership with Hazel Health on June 30 after several years of school-based telehealth support for students across the district.
Duval County Schools wants to close Ortega Elementary and move its students to a rebuilt Venetia Elementary by 2028 — two years earlier than planned. Parents say the district skipped its own process, and neighbors warn the school's tripled enrollment will make traffic on Timuquana Road unlivable.
The principal of Baldwin Middle-Senior High School was arrested on Monday on a charge of failing to report child abuse, according to Duval County Public Schools.
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.
Now that Senate Bill 538 has been signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a new set of questions begins. What happens next?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Just a week shy of a bus crash that injured four kindergarten students along Zoo Parkway, Duval County Public Schools said another school bus that was leaving the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens on Wednesday was involved in a “minor” crash.
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.
News4JAX is getting answers to questions about the new cameras that are mounted on nearly 900 Duval County public school buses to catch drivers who do not stop when they are supposed to when buses drop off and pick up students.
A family whose child was aboard a school bus struck from behind by a semi-truck on Thursday is pursuing legal action, the family’s attorney said.
Jason Goodrich started an online petition calling for expanded trade programs in Duval County schools. District leaders have since invited News4JAX to tour their career and technology campuses for a firsthand look at what is already available to students.
According to video and photos shared with News4JAX, a school bus was rear-ended by a semi on Thursday morning while crossing train tracks on Zoo Parkway, not far from Imeson Park Boulevard.
According to video and photos shared with News4JAX, a school bus was rear-ended by a semi on Thursday morning while crossing train tracks on Zoo Parkway, not far from Imeson Park Boulevard.
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.
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.
Jason Goodrich, 25, who attended Duval County schools, is pressing for more trade pathways for students who do not plan or do not have the opportunity to attend college.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There was a heavy law enforcement presence in the Grand Park area on Thursday morning.
Duval County Public Schools is in the process of installing metal detectors at Springfield, Mandarin, Oceanway and Ribault middle schools this week.
A Mandarin High School student was arrested after making a threat to shoot up the school, Duval County Public Schools said.
The Florida Department of Education sent out a memo Tuesday to statewide school districts, warning staff members against encouraging student protests.
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.
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 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.
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.
A major intersection in Mandarin closed early Thursday after a car crash caused traffic signals and wires to fall onto the road.
Duval County Public Schools will host a District Interview Day for prospective employees districtwide on Tuesday.
During a joint meeting on Thursday between the Jacksonville City Council and the Duval County School Board, leaders discussed both the district’s academic turnaround and a troubling increase in accidents involving students walking to and from school.
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.
Turning Point USA is expanding its presence with new chapters, including one starting soon at Fletcher High School in Duval County. However, a message showing someone holding a sign that reads “9 millimeters beats 911 every time” has raised concerns among students who see it as promoting gun violence in a school setting.
Miami-based charter school operator Mater Academy, which is targeting school districts across the state under the expanded “Schools of Hope” program, has major plans for Duval County, according to a report from our news partner, Jacksonville Today.
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 Jacksonville City Council voted against a resolution that would have allowed the Duval County School Board to change the city charter and hire its own attorney.
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 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.
Duval County school board members are facing backlash from parents over pink shirts they wore at a recent meeting. The shirts, worn by four board members, including Chair Charlotte Joyce, featured the phrase “This Is The Turning Point” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, some parents believe the message is linked to the conservative group Turning Point, founded by Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last month.
News4JAX wants to know, if the Duval County School Board takes up the issue of selling the Southbank property again, what do YOU want to see replace the headquarters along the Southbank?
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.”
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.
The attorney representing a prominent Jacksonville activist and adjunct Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teacher, who’s under fire for controversial remarks on social media, called for her return to the classroom.
Duval County School Board members are holding a workshop on Wednesday to learn more about a possible move for the district’s headquarters.
A bus driver with Duval County schools was arrested and accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Duval County Schools is exploring whether to consolidate Mayport Elementary and Anchor Academy, prompting parents, alumni, and district officials to meet to discuss what such a change could mean for students.
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.
On Tuesday night, the school board voted 6-1 to allow Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier to continue contract negotiations to purchase a new building in Baymeadows for $14 million. The current headquarters sits on the Southbank along the St. Johns River — a piece of real estate many consider prime for redevelopment.
The Duval County School Board is poised to make a big move Tuesday night in the process of potentially relocating the district’s headquarters.
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.
A national Bible study program is working to launch in Duval County Public Schools, but the proposal is drawing concern from some parents who worry that it will take kids out of class during school hours.
The uniform policy is expected to be a main topic of conversation at the meeting, which is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Media Center at Westside High. It’s sponsored by the School Advisory Council, which helps create the school’s uniform policy, according to the district’s guidelines.
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.
As the first week of classes wraps up in Duval County, the debate over school uniforms continues after one Jacksonville mother says her daughter, a freshman at Ed White, missed the entire first week of school because she couldn’t afford the required uniform package.
As the new school year begins, some Duval County families say they’re struggling to afford school uniforms, and local advocates warn that the need is keeping students out of class.
A Jacksonville mom is calling for change in a Northside neighborhood near where a young teenager was hit while trying to cross an intersection.
Duval County Public Schools said any questions about school uniforms should be directed to school administrators, as frustration mounts for Westside High parents.
READ USA is actively recruiting students aged 16-21 to become Literacy Tutors at 14 Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) elementary schools for the Fall semester. Tutors have the opportunity to earn $15/hour, build valuable workforce skills, and – through the training, coaching, and curriculum provided by READ USA – help students who are struggling to read become proficient, fluent readers.
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.
