JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It was an emotional decision that brought tears of relief to parents of 168 Duval County public students earlier this year, but the school board's vote to keep the Bank of America Learning Center open, could soon be reversed.
The board voted 3-3 in May to keep the public school open, which is only open to children of Bank of America employees. The school was established over a decade ago in an agreement between then Barnett Bank and the county. The board's policy is not to take action in the event of a tie vote, but Board Chairman WC Gentry says he didn't know about a state statute in May, that could now reverse that decision.
The law was established in 2006 and says tie votes in counties with populations between 800 and 900 thousand, are ruled in whatever way the chairman votes. When US Census numbers were released a few months ago, board lawyers realized Duval County's population jumped into that category in 2010, meaning Gentry's vote to close the school would reverse the decision.
After much discussion, the board decided the only fair way to determine the fate of the school is to take another vote, scheduled to take place Tuesday night.
Action News spoke to Jose Hernandez, a father of two Bank of America students in May, and today he called the process an embarrassment.
"We thought the work was behind us and we were just going to focus on keeping this great school moving forward."
Gentry says he wishes that was possible, saying the agreement was a good idea 10 years ago. But after cutting $90 million from the budget this year, and facing another $60 million in cuts next year, he says the savings are not longer there, especially among talks of cutting teachers and closing more schools.
"I don't think we can even talk about that process with those families, and then have them turn to us and say well you're spending all this money per child for Bank of America."
Gentry says Bank of America is helping with the cost of running the school, but also facing tough economic times and not contributing as much as before.
With 21,000 employees statewide, Bank of America tells Action News the Jacksonville market is one of their largest. While they could not confirm how many employees are based out of Jacksonville, nor how staffing numbers have changed since the agreement was established, they did issue a statement in support of the school system.
"Bank of America supports the recommendation of Duval County Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. Bank of America has been pleased to partner with the Duval Public school system for many years, but understands the economic environment and declining budgets that have resulted in this difficult decision. We are pleased that the school will remain open through the 2011-12 school year and will defer to the excellent Duval County public school system."
The school board will vote Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at the Duval County School Board building on the Southbank.
