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DCPS suggests proposals for aging school improvements, replacement

By Courtney Cole, Action News Jax and Action News Jax
By Courtney Cole, Action News Jax and Action News Jax

The Duval County School District posted these videos of the proposed changes.

Dr. Greene Encourages Involvement in Upcoming Community Presentations About Our Schools

Duval County Public Schools is constructing a Facilities Master Plan to ensure all children experience an outstanding, productive learning environment. Following up from the Facilities Condition Index study presented earlier this year, the consultant group Cooperative Strategies presented potential scenarios for Duval’s school buildings. All of the presentations are now available to view at the link below. In this video message, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Diana Greene encourages community involvement and input in this process. You can review the draft plan for your district and submit your thoughts to the School Board at: http://ow.ly/a8YK50nkYYV

Posted by Duval County Public Schools on Sunday, March 17, 2019

DEADLINE EXTENDED ‼️ | You can submit your feedback on the tentative plans for new and/or renovated school buildings in...

Posted by Duval County Public Schools on Monday, April 1, 2019

The Duval County School District says it's going to need to find new money to pay for $1.8 billion in repairs for aging schools.

MORE: Duval County Public Schools needs $1.08B to revamp, repair all 158 school buildings

Raising property taxes would be one way to do it.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole explains why that move would require laws to be changed.

The hefty price tag is what it would take to repair and replace all 158 of the aging public schools in Duval County.

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But where are they going to get the money?

Don Nelson, the Assistant Superintendent of Operations for the district, says changing the millage rate would be a good place to start.

"In Duval County Public Schools, our only source for collecting capital is millage,” Nelson told Cole.

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Right now, the millage rate is at 1.5

“Regardless of what our capital needs are, we're locked at 1.5. Other governments can vote to increase their millage,” Nelson said.

Nelson told Cole, on average, the school district has to split $15-$19 million dollars.

“Which is a lot of money! But when your backlog in maintenance is $243 million and your five year need is 1.07 billion, $16 million is not a lot of money,” Nelson said.

Gilbert Middle is  an example of one of the schools in the district in need of repair. Its windows need to be fixed, but lack of funding means it'll take at least four-five years before they can all be repaired.

Parents Cole spoke to said they'd be on-board to shell out more money if it meant improvements for their kids.

"I think anywhere the money comes from to improve our schools is okay,” said Lashannda Jone, a parent of two students who attend R.L. Brown Elementary School.

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"If it's for the kids, then I'll do it,” said Samantha Burton-Turner, a parent with a students at Gilbert Middle School.

Nelson told Cole creating multiple financial sources would help, too.

"When you look at Orange County alone, they have an impact fee and they have a sales tax. They generated $308 million and built 11 schools -- cash. Ten brand new schools, one replacement school,” Nelson said.

Click HERE for information on the next school meeting on DCPS facility improvement.

Cox Media Group

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