JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville City Council members spoke with Duval County Public School district leaders Wednesday about their proposal to close a number of schools.
Public outcry over the proposal has led to protests and more than 80 people speaking at a school board meeting Tuesday night.
District leaders said they’re losing students to charter and private schools and therefore losing money, contributing to a more than $1 billion budget gap that led to the proposal by outside consultants to close at least 10 elementary schools.
“I’m very concerned about all this," said City Councilmember Jimmy Peluso, District 7. "I very much am. I have two A schools in my district that are supposedly on the chopping black, two B schools as well.”
Many of the questions city council members asked were about charter and private schools.
“It seems like charter schools are dictating the work that public schools are doing,” said City Councilmember Ju'Coby Pittman, District 10.
"I’d like to encourage my colleagues on the school board and city council not to villainize charter schools,” said City Councilmember Nick Howland, at-large group 3.
School district spokesperson Tracy Pierce said the district has lost more than 20,000 students over the last 15 years as charter schools have grown. He says the private school voucher program that new legislation expanded to be open to all students has also contributed to the budget deficit.
“We do need to move forward,” Pierce said. “The district is facing some very, very difficult financial issues and current situation really isn't sustainable.”
Pierce said there's been confusion in the community, but DCPS does not have the authority to close a charter school. School board members stressed the proposal is only the beginning of tackling the issue.
"Again, it is just a proposal," said Duval County School Board Vice Chair Charlotte Joyce. "It’s the very, very first part of a lot of conversations.”
There will be seven community meetings for public input. The first meeting is May 21 at Fletcher High School.
First Coast News reached out to the governor’s office and Florida Department of Education regarding the expanded private school voucher program. The DOE press secretary responded saying the governor has increased funding for education and they pointed out charter schools are public schools.
Several people came to the meeting to show support for their school. Elizabeth Sizler said she feels optimistic.
Here is the schedule for other public meetings:
May 21 - District 2 Community Meeting at Fletcher High School.
June 10 - District 3 Community Meeting at Main Administrative Building.
June 11 - District 4 Community Meeting at Stanton College Preparatory.
June 13 - District 6 Community Meeting at Ed White High School.
June 17 - District 7 Community Meeting at Atlantic Coast High School.
June 18 - District 5 Community Meeting at Paxon School of Advanced Studies.
June 20 - District 1 Community Meeting at Terry Parker High School.