JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- More than 400 people from teachers to community leaders packed the Jacksonville Public Library in downtown to talk about one thing...education.
It's a conversation parent and president of the Duval County Council of PTAs, Gretchen Lynch, agrees we need more of.
"It's wonderful to live in a city that values education," said Lynch.
The city-wide effort to improve education in Jacksonville focused on parent involvement today.
Duval County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Nikolai Vitti, spoke at a workshop where he shared ideas with teachers on his push for a "parent academy".
"I think right now they're hoping that leaders like us get it right so that they can continue to do what they do," said Dr. Vitti.
The academy, which is still in the development stage, is aimed at providing parents with the tools they need through a series of classes.
Mayor Alvin Brown and Dr. Vitti will chair the task force for the initiative.
"I think the business community is key to this academy being successful we want to make sure that the faith based community is involved," said Mayor Brown.
After the summit they will work to secure the budget for the academy. According Brown, they hope to raise at least $2 million.
