JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The rapidly evolving scandal at Jacksonville’s elite performing arts school was the subject of a special meeting of the Duval County School Board on Wednesday.
Board members discussed hiring outside lawyers to help with an internal review of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where four male teachers have now been removed from classrooms under investigation, including one arrested for lewd conduct with a student.
A second meeting is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. to discuss Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene's future with the district.
Pressure has been building on Greene in recent days, as state education officials have weighed in, accusing her of failing to report cases of teacher misconduct was required. Department of Education Commissioner Manny Diaz sent Greene a scathing letter Tuesday calling the district’s failure “unacceptable” and hinting that he might punish her financially.
Greene expressed similar displeasure in a statement, saying, “I agree completely with the commissioner that delays in reporting cannot be tolerated,” and promising to investigate.
But Greene’s job could be in jeopardy. Her contract was extended by an additional three years last summer, but the board's political makeup has changed since then with the addition of two Moms for Liberty-endorsed candidates April Carney and Charlotte Joyce.
A conservative shift in school boards across the state has made it a perilous time for many superintendents. Since the November election, in which Gov. DeSantis and Moms for Liberty endorsed or financially backed dozens of candidates, nine superintendents statewide have been ousted. Most recently, a newly conservative school board Flagler County declined to renew Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt's contract.
First Coast News is at the meeting and will provide updates to this developing story.
