Q: What is the update on the search for a new superintendent of Duval County Public Schools?
A: The superintendent search opens March 1 and applications will be accepted through March 30. The goal is to select a superintendent prior to the end of May. The start date for the new superintendent will be July 1, 2024.
Q: Are there new members of the school district’s focus group committee?
A: Wendy Northfleet and Regan Copeland will represent District 7 on the focus group committee. This committee consists of two community representatives from each district. Copeland and Northfleet both have students who attend schools in Mandarin; in fact, both have children who have attended elementary, middle, and high school within Mandarin. They are engaged within our community and our schools. I am thrilled they are able to participate in this process.
Q: What are some of the topics the school board has been working on?
A: The school board has begun conversation around school boundary lines, enrollment trends, and the master facilities plan. The board will participate in an all-day retreat in March to shape and finalize future plans for the district. School boundary lines have not been reviewed in a comprehensive manner in decades and the goal is to build feeder patterns for communities that make sense.
Q: Do you have any kudos to share?
A: Atlantic Coast High School’s girls’ basketball team has made it to the state playoff games [as of interview date of Feb. 15]. There are multiple rounds prior to the state championship game. This is the first time Atlantic Coast has had a girls’ basketball team make it to postseason playoffs. I wish them much success.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 7?
A: The Jacksonville City Council recognized the Mandarin High School football team through a resolution at the joint meeting between the City Council and School Board on Feb. 26. A special thanks to Councilman Michael Boylan for leading on this special recognition to acknowledge the success of their season.
Also, Twin Lakes Academy Middle School has a new partnership with CSX that will provide students with the opportunity to participate in career technical education with drones.
District 7 has seen career technical education expand at the elementary, middle and high school level over the past seven years. Students in District 7 have access to the medical arts, engineering, culinary arts, technology, drones, future teachers, ROTC, video gaming design, coding, and more. Please visit your neighborhood school and learn more about the opportunities for students.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at HersheyL@duvalschools.org or call me at (904) 390-2375.
