Q: Can you give an update on the search for a new superintendent for Duval County Public Schools?
A: On June 13, Andrea Messina, CEO of the Florida School Boards Association, led the school board in a workshop detailing, start to finish, the superintendent search process. For Board Member Jones and myself, this will be our fourth superintendent search, but the first for all the other board members (except for appointing Dr. Kriznar as interim superintendent). This will likely be a national search. The whole process should take around six months and we expect to have someone in place in early 2024.
Q: What’s the latest on the relocation of the school district offices away from the St. Johns River?
A: On June 20, the school board held a workshop where we finally began this discussion for relocation that I originally introduced to the board in December 2020. We learned of the recommendation of relocation of the board offices to the Florida Blue building located on Riverside Avenue and then the sale of our current building to JTA for their use. Leasing space rather than building something makes the most financial sense for us at this time, based upon the recommendations the board received. At the July 10 school board meeting, the board will vote on this recommendation. If anyone has any questions about this, please feel free to reach out to me.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 7?
A: At the City Council meeting on June 13, the council voted to rename a portion of RG Skinner Parkway, the street in front of Atlantic Coast High School, to Stingray Parkway. The school is the only entity that will be impacted by this change, which was made possible in conjunction with and the approval and support of the Skinner family. The effort was led by Atlantic Coast High School SAC member Ramon Day. Atlantic Coast students as well as Dr. Michael George, school principal, spoke at the council meeting in support. I’d like to thank Council Member Danny Becton for introducing the bill and Council Member Michael Boylan for being a co-sponsor. This was an effort that started in fall 2022 and it’s exciting to see the culmination of all the hard work.
Additionally, a historical marker will be placed on school property recognizing the historical significance of the Skinner family in the area. The goal is to have this marker in place by the beginning of the 2023 – 24 school year.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at HersheyL@duvalschools.org or call me at (904) 390-2375.
