Q: Do you have any community meetings planned?
A: I will host a Chat with the Superintendent, on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Mandarin Oaks Elementary School. This is a good time for the community to ask questions of the superintendent as well as get an update on the state of our schools. This meeting will be held virtually and families will receive a link from the district via email. The link will also be available on the district website and on my district Facebook page.
Q: What is the latest information regarding School Choice?
A: The School Choice Expo was held virtually on Jan. 9 and information is still available on the district website. With Feb. 28 as the application deadline, families still have the opportunity to research prospective schools, attend virtual tours of campuses, and talk with individual school leaders to determine which school programs are a good fit for their student’s interests.
Q: Can you tell us what is happening at this time with the Half Cent Sales Tax?
A: The Citizens Oversight Committee met for the first time on Jan. 19. They will be providing quarterly reports to the school board. At this point we don’t have anything to announce for District 7, but upcoming projects include the removal of portables and an addition at Mandarin High School; renovations at Crown Point Elementary and Greenland Pines Elementary; and renovations and some new construction as well as removal of portables at Loretto Elementary. The historical structure at Loretto will remain.
Also regarding construction, the board has approved a new roof for Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School. This is part of a backlog of maintenance projects we’ve been unable to address, but finally the construction should happen soon.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 7?
A: Graduation dates have been released. Mandarin High School will hold its ceremony on Thursday, June 3 at 6 p.m. and Atlantic Coast High School will hold its ceremony on Tuesday, May 25 at 6 p.m. The ceremonies will be held at each school campus, outside on the football field, due to ongoing pandemic concerns.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at HersheyL@duvalschools.org or call me at (904) 316-3609.
