DCPS is considering moving its headquarters, which could potentially provide millions for school maintenance and capital funds. Parents are insisting on transparency about the decision.
A major move may be on the horizon for Duval county public schools.
The district is planning to relocate its headquarters from the Southbank area to Baymeadows. This move could potentially generate millions for school upgrades and renovations.
The company interested in purchasing the property has plans to build a senior living community in its place.
Parents have expressed to First Coast News that if the headquarters relocation results in a $6 million profit, they demand complete openness regarding the allocation of these funds.
Many hope schools can benefit from much needed school upgrades and repairs.
“We just want to ensure total transparency with the expenditure of funds. A $6 million profit should be clearly directed toward critical school needs,” stated Dorcee Brown, whose child is a 10th grader at Ed White.
DCPS is looking to sell its longtime headquarters at 1701 Prudential Drive on the Southbank for $20 million.
If the plan goes forward, the district plans to acquire a property at 8928 Prominence Parkway for $14 million, previously occupied by Southeastern grocers.
DCPS has indicated that the $6 million net profit from the sale will be allocated for school maintenance, renovations, and boosting capital reserves to help bridge the district’s $1.4 billion budget deficit.
“The parents want to be able to see it, not just hear it but see it,” said Vanessa Brown, a mother of an Ed White 10th grader.
Many DCPS parents said their children’s schools are in need of upgrades and they want to ensure the money goes to the right places.
“I really think the inner-city schools should use that and more kids would probably be eager to go to school and even the teachers will probably feel better being there,” said Christopher Standish, father of a DCPS 8th grader, “A lot of money doesn’t go to places like that.”
Christopher Standish’s son is an 8th grader and said funding could help fix problems students deal with daily.
“A lot of times instruments break and there’s not a lot of instruments left and with that money they could get a lot more instruments and the room could be bigger because the orchestra room is very small,” said the 8th grader.
On September 2nd, the school board will vote on whether to let the superintendent begin negotiations. A final vote on the sale is scheduled for October 7th.
If the school board does not approve the proposed sale, the district will continue exploring other options for relocation.
First Coast News will be at Tuesday night’s school board meeting and will bring you updates here on First Coast News.
