A.G. Gancarski
Students from Jacksonville’s toughest neighborhoods will have to go to the school of hard knocks to learn about life, at least if they were relying on state money for the Elevate Jacksonville initiative to teach them anything.
Gov. Ron DeSantis carved out a modest $250,000 appropriation for the nonprofit initiative serving students at Ribault High, Ribault Middle, and Westside High, throwing the organization’s operations into turmoil just hours before the new fiscal year begins on Tuesday.
Approximately 500 students facing challenges ranging from mental health issues to unemployment benefited from the program at last count, with “daily instruction in life-skills curricula, one-on-one mentorship, and career guidance” as well as “scholarships, internships, and trade opportunities,” according to the Senate appropriations request from Clay Yarborough.
If the money had been granted, $125,000 would have been allocated to salaries, $75,000 to staff training and curriculum development, and $50,000 for contracted services related to youth mentorship and life skills training.
Despite what Rep. Wyman Duggan’s appropriations request said there were “letters of support from principals at Jean Ribault High and Middle Schools and Westside High School, highlighting its positive impact on student achievement, life preparation, and personal growth,” lobbyist Mincy Pollock was unable to secure the funding from the Governor this time around.
8 comments
Frankie M.
June 30, 2025 at 6:33 pm
At least they got that gym for his favorite charter school, amirite? Ronnie is a reverse Robinson Hope.
Frankie M.
June 30, 2025 at 6:34 pm
At least they got that gym for his favorite charter school, amirite? Ronnie is a modern day reverse Robin Hood.
MH/Duuuval
June 30, 2025 at 8:52 pm
I count $4 million in line-items for Rood’s school since Dee came to be the Decider.
MH/Duuuval
July 1, 2025 at 12:31 pm
A recent letter to the editor printed in the Times-Union stated Rood’s pet school has gotten $9 million.
Too bad my Duval high schools can’t get a million-dollar line item — above and beyond what it already gets from the DCSB and the state. One was built in 1926 and the other in 1965.
Earline Pitts
June 30, 2025 at 7:23 pm
My husband Earl thanks Ron for vetoing this bill.
LEAST WE FORGET:
JAX/Duvall County is governed by leftys and they would have mis-directed the 1/4 Mil into woke lefty adgenda and lined their own pockets with the money.
The life-skills training for Jacksonville’s ‘urban youth’ would have gotten just a small pizzs party.
Thanks, Earline Pitts American
MH/Duuuval
June 30, 2025 at 8:50 pm
Tell the Sheriff that — he’s in the center of the photo.
Skip Allcorn
July 1, 2025 at 3:28 pm
As board chair of Elevate Jacksonville, and a major donor, I wanted to respond to this article. It implies that we seem to be reliant on this state grant. Hardly the case. It represents less than 15% of our budget, and we are not tied to any political agenda. We are merely funding 12 teacher/mentors to teach 13 critical character and life skills to over 600 students in the classrooms. Check out our website for these clear and concise traits. We regret that the governor does not see the value in this. But we will continue to grow, as we reach more and more teens, helping them succeed, thrive, and contribute to their communities.
the Truth
July 2, 2025 at 7:51 am
at least we got $400,000 to finish building the new visitor center at the Olustee Battlefield site!!!
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