Kim Daniels bills would mandate K-8 crossing guards, annual student evals in Duval

Rep. Kim Daniels is the new chair of the Duval County legislative delegation.

Rep. Kim Daniels, a Jacksonville Democrat, filed a pair of bills Monday that could bring changes for Duval County students.

One mandates more crossing guards. The other orders evaluations for students pre-graduation.

HB 1453 would require that Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office post crossing guards at all schools in Duval that serve students from grades K through 8, superseding previous legislation.

The Jacksonville City Council expressed support for the measure in 2017.

Councilman Reggie Brown, who carried the resolution of support in committee discussion, noted that because of changes in school structures, 7th and 8th graders are deprived of crossing guards.

The state mandates K-6, Brown said, and expanding this program would mean more safety and more jobs, Brown said.

“The time to me is right now,” Brown said, noting that the city is well-positioned financially this year compared to the past.

The city will take a financial hit if this bill passes.

The annual cost, per the Council Auditor: $300,000 for 27 public middle schools. Private and charter schools would add to that sum.

HB 1455, also filed Monday, requires annual “individual student evaluations” for students in grades 9-11.

“An Education Forecast of the student’s graduation needs will be examined and an official plan agreed upon. Students will not be promoted to the next grade level without an Individual Student Evaluation approved by a parent or guardian and a guidance counselor,” the bill asserts.

The bill’s fiscal impact is unknown as of this writing.