Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 3, 2017

In a letter sent Thursday to the Duval County School Board, Rep. Jason Fischer expresses “deep concern” about the School Board not taking “formal action” to schedule an audit to account for $21 million of what Fischer deems to be overspending in the current budget year. [Letter] Board Chair Paula Wright, writes Fischer, asserted that there was a […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

On Monday, State Rep. Jason Fischer proposed a state financial audit of the Duval County School Board on which he served until last year. Fischer’s take: the district is more concerned about potentially suing over the controversial “Schools of Hope” bill he advocated than it is with getting its “financial house in order,” after recent revelations of […]

Guest AuthorMay 17, 2017

Over the past few days, many district superintendents and other defenders of the struggling status quo have attacked HB 7069, a bill focused on reforming and improving K-12 education. As a former Duval County School Board member, I am proud to have voted for this bill and urge Gov. Rick Scott to sign it into […]

Guest AuthorMay 4, 2017

Today, there are approximately 200 teacher openings in Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) for the 2016—2017 school year, which ends next month. That means students in 200 classrooms are being managed by a substitute. The teacher shortage is not surprising, but the Duval County School Board’s consideration to cut Teach for America (TFA) is. If […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 21, 2017

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The Duval County School Board moved Friday toward transition from the superintendency of Nikolai Vitti, who is moving on to Detroit. In a special board meeting Friday morning in a mostly empty chambers, the board discussed next steps … even as reliable sources say that Gov. Rick Scott would like to see Clay County Superintendent Addison Davis (Vitti’s […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2017

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Before Wednesday’s meeting of the Duval County School Board, Chair Paula Wright cautioned that “no news” would come out of the conclave. However, with the real possibility that Superintendent Nikolai Vitti may leave Jacksonville for Detroit, a city “in his DNA,” the board needed to have a sunshine discussion to discuss next steps. Notable: Vitti was absent, […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 31, 2017

There are three local bills that the Duval County Legislative Delegation have to carry this session. Two of them involve relaxed restrictions for drinking. Rep. Tracie Davis will sponsor those. And one involves governance of the Duval County School Board, a subject that inspires drinking. Rep. Jason Fischer, an alumnus of the school board, will sponsor […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 3, 2017

Tuesday morning saw the Jacksonville City Council Neighborhoods, Community Investments, and Services committee greenlight a bill that frustrated it in December. The bill would increase city-imposed ticket surcharges for the Veterans Memorial Arena, the Baseball Grounds of Jax, and the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts, while adding surcharges for events at the under construction amphitheater and […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 29, 2016

The Duval County School Board, when fully staffed, is a seven-person body. However, just one resignation or absence can turn the DCSB into a six-person panel. And, in the event of a controversial or closely contested issue, a 3-3 tie is quite likely. The board wasn’t at full strength earlier this year, after Rep. Jason Fischer […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 23, 2016

For the Duval County School Board, the slogan might be “wake me when September ends.” Earlier in the month, the board evaluated Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, deeming him “effective,” even though below the surface questions loomed about widening achievement gaps inside demographic categories of the student population. From there, board chair Ashley Smith-Juarez, according to Vitti, scheduled a meeting […]

Tag: Duval County School board
Orlando Pride

Jason Fischer has ‘deep concern’ over lack of Duval Schools audit

Duval School Board member welcomes state financial audit

Jason Fischer: Our kids deserve hope

Dave Chauncey: Teach for America Jacksonville, not billboards, is better way to recruit teachers

Duval School Board mulls post-Nikolai Vitti era

Duval County School Board mulls post-Nikolai Vitti era

Duval Delegation talks local bills, hears from Melissa Nelson

Ticket surcharge hike, school board governance bills clear Jacksonville council panel

Bill would divest tiebreaking power from Duval School Board chair

‘Broken’ Duval County School Board castigates media, each other in contentious conclave