JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier has a blunt message for every teacher and staff member in the district: enough is enough.
Bernier sent a recorded video to district employees after two educators tied to Duval schools were arrested in one week.
Cameron Coverson, a substitute teacher at First Coast High School, was arrested first. Days later, Darnell-Cookman math teacher Brian Orr was arrested. Both are accused of inappropriate conduct with students.
“It is never okay for any adult to flagrantly disregard their required moral responsibility that emphasizes ethical boundaries between adults and children,” Bernier said in the video.
Now, school board members are calling for closer oversight of how the district hires, vets, and supervises the adults around students.
“It’s not a period”
District 7 School Board Member Melody Bolduc told Action News Jax the superintendent’s message is a start, but parents should expect more.
“He’s right. Enough is enough. But that is an introductory phrase. It’s not a period,” Bolduc said.
Her first ask is a review of the district’s hiring process.
“I want a review of our HR process. So were there concerns raised early on that maybe weren’t properly addressed or didn’t come through,” Bolduc said.
She is also pushing for tougher vetting, including a personality test for new hires. And she wants a written corrective action plan from the district.
“I am going to be asking more questions in the future, and then third I’d like a written corrective action plan,” Bolduc said.
Board member proposes review of principal appointments
School Board Member Reginald Blount said in a statement to Action News Jax that he is deeply concerned by the number of abuse allegations involving district personnel.
“While I remain committed to ensuring that those who have been accused are afforded due process and are not judged before a thorough review of the facts, the volume and seriousness of these allegations indicate that we have issues that must be addressed with the highest level of urgency,” Blount said.
Blount said the board has traditionally trusted district leadership to make sure candidates are properly vetted before they are hired or appointed, but recent events have raised serious concerns that warrant closer oversight.
He said he has begun an immediate review of relevant records and processes. He also plans to propose a policy change that would require the school board to review recommendations for principal and assistant principal positions before any vote or final appointment.
“Our responsibility is to ensure the safety of our students, maintain public trust, and uphold the highest standards of accountability throughout the School District,” Blount said.
Questions about staff-student communication
In 2024, Bernier launched the Know the Line initiative, which sets clear boundaries between staff and students. Under the initiative, employees may contact students outside of school only through district-approved, monitored platforms.
Action News Jax has asked the district whether a disturbing email circulating on social media, allegedly sent from Orr to his students, came from a district account, and if so, whether anyone flagged it. The district referred our questions to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. We asked the district again Monday and are waiting for a response.
Bolduc said the board meets this week and she plans to introduce the corrective measures she discussed with Action News Jax.
Both cases remain under investigation. Action News Jax continues to hear from school board members and will update this story.
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