Q: Can you give an update on the Saturday School Showcase?
A: The date of this year’s school choice expo, called “Saturday School Showcase” will be Jan. 7, 2023. As a refresher, this year parents and students have an opportunity to visit their school(s) of choice in person, meet the principal, and tour the school instead of the virtual events held the past few years. Every school will be open on Jan. 7, 2023 and I encourage parents to keep their neighborhood schools in mind when considering school choice.
Q: Do you have any community meetings planned?
A: Yes. We will have a community meeting on Jan. 17 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Loretto Elementary School specifically to discuss an upcoming safety topic. With the apparent desire of the Florida Commissioner of Education to expand the Guardian Program to include the ability for teachers and coaches to carry a gun in schools, I’d like to get the community’s input. Presently, Duval County Public Schools is operating under a resolution we passed about five years ago that limits gun carry to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and our security guards. This possible expansion is something I’d like the community to learn about and give their input. I hope to learn what District 7 thinks of this proposal at this meeting.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 7?
A: Just an update: in December 2020 I brought forward a resolution to consider moving the Duval County Public School’s offices off the St. Johns River and it was passed unanimously by the board. The process is moving along according to the timeline that was set. The school board is eager to get the recommendation from our internal committee that is reviewing the proposals.
Finally, I’d like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at HersheyL@duvalschools.org or call me at (904) 390-2375.
