[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6486520,"mediaKeyId","5556254-2f56f813558eb5f7f913e8fcc7a1d48c","parentId",5556254,"title","Teachers, speech therapists and union leaders urge board to address vacancies, pay and benefits as school year begins","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4945000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556254-2f56f813558eb5f7f913e8fcc7a1d48c&start=4945&end=4945","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556254-2f56f813558eb5f7f913e8fcc7a1d48c/thumbnail_4945000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486520/Florida/Teachers-speech-therapists-and-union-leaders-urge-board-to-address-vacancies-pay-and-benefits-as-school-year-begins","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486520-01f240867056ab726c9f4270e1a624f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949515&Signature=Z3y7wlMbb6qccGylEdR5QKKkxIuSpzYCbgnE2R7nsEsd7c8hrib2KKx9Q9ShWgU7btFhrIPjCFpeoP0wzp3F6ofsoMC9BkoD~O4MHbGqagyJH0rylCSDS7ZB0FwDiabLk7sqi~UYs103F3FWtyX2JbL8Nm~XoDBGLgP~VynkUk8kxRXYUD541prcZMAqLOERa2crf79WFdKdTwZuZLkw~thLTtvWNvgo0qS~hCslJX~HJzAkZGs0iZ8VM9b6PcLEdSZyrSsTUIDwYt7tNO9x7JrCepLAPzt~nNfZ5pqIqVPHg52-baV-ZCo~2-Lx319UnlyVUOoIqKsTluiwVjfRAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Duval County School Board","date","2025-08-05T00:00:00Z","article","During the public-comment portion of the Aug. 5 Duval County School Board meeting, teachers, therapists and union leaders asked the board to act quickly on staffing, compensation and resource gaps before students return.

Speech-language pathologist Laura Emmel told the board that \"as of last weekend, we had 41 SLP positions vacant, and it'll impact 55 schools as of Monday morning.\" Emmel said the district had generated $1,900,000 in Medicaid school-match revenue over three years and that $1,300,000 of that came from therapies; she urged the board to \"take aggressive actions\" to solve the SLP vacancy crisis and to reinvest therapy-billed revenue to support students who received the services.

Union and classroom voices: Joseph (Joey) Frenzel, a math teacher at Atlantic Coast High School, urged the board to accept the union proposals at negotiations scheduled for Aug. 14, saying, \"The ultimate reward should be given to employees\" who contributed to the district's first A grade. Teacher Zachary Carter and other classroom staff warned that vacancies force teachers and paraprofessionals to take second jobs and that online or summer services cannot substitute for in-person specialists.

District response and context: DTU President Tammy Brooks Evans thanked district staff for scheduling meetings with union leaders and said the union will press for smaller class sizes, increased planning time and higher salaries so teachers can rely on a single job. The superintendent and staff previously noted efforts to hire over the summer; public speakers said attrition and unfilled positions threaten student IEP services on the first day of classes.

Why it matters: SLP services are mandated by students' Individualized Education Programs. Long-term vacancies can delay or deny required therapy and can affect student progress. Speakers asked the board to use targeted strategies, funding and partnerships to retain and recruit clinicians as the school year starts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 5, 2025 - Monthly Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple speakers at public comment warned of personnel shortages and urged the board to back proposals in upcoming contract negotiations; a speech-language pathologist said 41 SLP positions were vacant as of the weekend, affecting 55 schools.","taxTitle","Duval, School Districts, Florida","taxId",15509,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486525,"School board approves boundary changes tied to two elementary consolidations; public raises ACE process concerns",244,8216000,8460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556254-2f56f813558eb5f7f913e8fcc7a1d48c&start=8216&end=8460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556254-2f56f813558eb5f7f913e8fcc7a1d48c/thumbnail_8216000.jpg","/articles/6486525/Florida/School-board-approves-boundary-changes-tied-to-two-elementary-consolidations-public-raises-ACE-process-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486525-434d65b471051501e50a19b8eefaeee6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949515&Signature=RrCjHWKuWuDwAD0K-8WQ4QwyR~MU99YFpowrTUzJ9ZlZi3psA9yozKLEhSZTRPAjcCR53uSdzbB~ZWEvvb0iIRs-1B0fQlGTG0sxjdc-ScVMDXQPLbbCyE1uoGfJuao3c8C61Vim9egy08SMpaWs8zFVYd0CygafUIvQDGkPuqSwFJCxRdQJIzVM7-BKkLyLR9uKjcNkG4LRld6NTXhYvVrtVCZNr8FmN2xbYywJbzCny3IoZIS7jPZQtee7BcbOej1IopbIU8S6HrBLXDm2pUYsqFl3rx-hAo1kWPamVPXd73QTLs7XUn4TqtqPjWQ~~MHbtS6pZdkvv1gt6ahYNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Duval County School Board on Aug. 5 approved attendance boundary changes for multiple elementary schools to implement planned consolidations beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The motion, moved by Vice Chair Carney and seconded by Board Member Balduke, passed 6-1.

Superintendent Chris Bernier told the board the changes stem from previously approved consolidations: Hidden Oaks into Cedar Hills and Highgrove into Hyde Park. He said the boundary adjustments aim to rebalance enrollments and reduce the number of underused school buildings: \"The recommendation tonight ... places the utilization at Cedar Hills which was over its capacity at 86%. Jack's Heights also moves from 53% to 61% utilization,\" Bernier said; for Hyde Park and Ramona he said the plan would move Hyde Park to 94% and raise Ramona from 59% to 85%.

Why it matters: Board policy and the district's master facilities plan called for the district to study consolidation options for underutilized schools. The boundary changes affect Cedar Hills, Hidden Oaks, Hyde Park, Hyde Grove, Jacksonville Heights, Timucuan, Ramona Boulevard and Ruth Epps elementary schools and prepare the district for the closures set in the facilities plan.

Public comment: Two speakers in the public hearing urged the board to examine the ACE (Academic and Community Engagement) process used to solicit input. Tiffany Clark said ACE meetings sometimes have low attendance and questioned whether the meetings accurately represent the broader school community. Yasmina White, commenting later in public hearings, called the ACE materials \"ambiguous and confusing\" and said meeting notes \"don't even look like members from the community are even there besides district staff.\"

Board discussion and vote: Board members said the decisions were difficult but necessary to improve utilization and provide stronger programmatic offerings in larger, better-resourced buildings. Board Member Willie urged a future workshop on the ACE process to make public engagement more effective. The motion passed 6-1.","The board approved attendance boundary adjustments related to planned consolidations of Hidden Oaks and Hyde Grove elementary schools, moves supporters say will improve building utilization; parents and commenters urged the district to revise its ACE engagement process.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486530,"Duval school board votes to seek authority to hire its own general counsel, approves interagency payment plan",4167,7873000,12040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556254-2f56f813558eb5f7f913e8fcc7a1d48c&start=7873&end=12040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556254-2f56f813558eb5f7f913e8fcc7a1d48c/thumbnail_7873000.jpg","/articles/6486530/Florida/Duval-school-board-votes-to-seek-authority-to-hire-its-own-general-counsel-approves-interagency-payment-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486530-45f0a6382d490d403666f644258ef19a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949515&Signature=ZHF0lkDs~mLFEtJqTfQM58Gi7PtUyiBv~4Dtg2S2EVMuB1K3xNI0-PQtHPTQCVLBUmpkNTpTu9kmIoPxUpu9iF8u04fNrogTdU2A-TnWzEMAaoTFXXo6HyKhcEUxHPs7sikevxstgKPmeaKb44RdbTUYbOzOTqU2YVUF2p98F5e9HwIRwGX5ds46JQVH78SInxm6KGH9e38JvXqxHXxltEv2j~6joYnSZ-K4BIklRxq58Ffe22yjgXbXQjQ9ntRGLk-G0JbvKMfA4qGTWBDAId4sp61QAiZUgx0rfXwbUHKTlMOZCnsHUOV0v5JjeED-SV~t85oZhb~iLV-NUguAyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Duval County School Board on Aug. 5 approved a resolution asking the Jacksonville City Council and the Duval delegation to support amending the city charter so the board \"may employ its own counsel,\" a change supporters said would let the district hire attorneys with education-law experience and offer a Florida Retirement System benefit. The resolution passed 5-2.

Board Member Balduke, who moved the resolution, said the current arrangement limits the district's applicant pool because \"we are the only district in the state of Florida out of 67 counties, that are not allowed to hire our own, general counsel.\" Vice Chair Carney seconded the motion. After extended public and board discussion about timing, costs and conflicts of interest, the board authorized the step to pursue a local bill (J bill) this fall.

Why it matters: The change would shift the board's ability to select and set compensation for a board attorney from the consolidated city's Office of General Counsel (OGC) to the Duval County School Board. Supporters said that would align Duval with most other Florida districts and allow the board to recruit attorneys eligible for FRS participation. Opponents and some board members urged caution, citing potential costs, loss of legal synergy with city lawyers and the practical difficulty of recruiting a qualified candidate quickly.

Discussion highlights: Board members raised procedural and logistical questions. Board Member Pearson asked whether a future board could reverse the change if it proved unsuccessful; city counsel Michael Fackler replied the charter language as drafted uses \"may\" and would allow the board to employ its own counsel but would not force it to do so. Fackler and other city lawyers told the board that, regardless of the charter outcome, the city's OGC intends to continue providing services for matters the board does not retain outside counsel for.

Public comment on the item was sharply divided. Several speakers urged the board to move toward independent counsel, saying prior OGC advice had been politicized; others warned the timing and motivation looked political and asked for more study and public notice. Natalie Dreyer, speaking for taxpayers, said the change was \"not political, it's prudent,\" while Yasmina White said the timing felt \"far too convenient\" in light of a recent OGC audit.

Related payment agreement: Immediately after the resolution vote the board considered and approved an interagency agreement by which the district will make quarterly payments to the city to cover the actual cost of attorneys the city provides. The board amended the agreement to correct the address and then approved the interagency agreement as amended 7-0. Board Member Pierson moved that amendment; Board Member Willie seconded.

Next steps and timeline: Board members were told that if the board approves the resolution tonight and a city council member introduces the companion measure, the city council process typically requires several weeks for readings and public comment. The Duval legislative delegation would need to consider a J bill during its October meeting for an effective change to be in place for the 2026 fiscal cycle. Board members and city counsel noted that the process could be delayed if the council or the delegation declines to sponsor or advance the change.

What the board decided: The board adopted the resolution directing staff to take steps to secure city council support and pursue the charter change; it separately approved an interagency agreement for payments to the city during the transition. The vote on the charter-resolution item was 5-2; the interagency payment agreement passed unanimously after an amendment to the address.","The Duval County School Board approved a resolution asking city council and the county\relegation to enable the board to employ its own general counsel and separately approved an interagency agreement to pay the city for legal services during the transition.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Teachers, speech therapists and union leaders urge board to address vacancies, pay and benefits as school year begins

School board approves boundary changes tied to two elementary consolidations; public raises ACE process concerns

Duval school board votes to seek authority to hire its own general counsel, approves interagency payment plan