Parents concerned about violence if several Jacksonville schools are consolidated

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Parents tell Action News Jax reporter Brittney Donovan they are concerned about the possibility of some Jacksonville high schools consolidating into sixth through 12th grade schools.

Consolidation of more than 20 schools is part of a plan considered by the Duval County school board to fix the aging schools issue.

TRENDING: 

Parents shared their concerns at a meeting Wednesday about plans to consolidate both Raines and Ribault. They believe it could pose safety risks.

"The likelihood that you're going to maybe, possibly, mingle rival gangs in the school -- and that's a larger safety concern. We don't need that much energy flowing through one particular place," said Earl Kitchings, an alumni association president.

Northwestern Middle School would be transformed into an elementary school, which would serve students from three current elementary schools.

“We do not want sixth graders mixed with 12th graders,” Gwendolyn Matthews-Smith said. “That just does not work.”

The changes would also include tearing down Raines and replacing it with a new building.

The Raines graduates told Action News Jax that they want children to be safe, but they also want to ensure Raines’ legacy isn’t erased.

UPDATED STORY: DCPS reconsidering proposed changes to Raines, Ribault High Schools

Cox Media Group