Duval school official urges safety vigilance after student traffic incidents; district details uniforms, headquarters move and parental bible-study option

Tony Ricardo, Duval County School Board member for District 1, told residents at an Arlington town-hall meeting that school safety remains a top priority after three student-vehicle incidents occurred in the first weeks of the school year, including one fatality.

Ricardo said the district is running a "Be Safe, Be Seen" campaign and urged parents and guardians to teach children street-safety practices, walk with them and ensure bike helmets. "School safety is a primary concern," Ricardo said.

Ricardo referenced the district's recent performance rating, saying Duval County received an A for the first time and noting that the grade "doesn't mean that we're all getting a 100. That means there's plenty of room for improvement." He encouraged residents to contact his office with concerns and questions.

On school uniforms, Ricardo said decisions are made at the school level by each school's SACS-like committee and by principals; the district does not mandate a single vendor or uniform policy districtwide. "Keep in mind that the school uniforms are something that each school is responsible for," he said, adding that the district would examine concerns that many uniforms were coming from a single vendor.

Ricardo also told residents that the district administration building is slated to move its headquarters but that routine parent-facing services will remain at the Schultz Center on Art Museum Drive. "Although the main administration building might be moving from downtown, the interface with parents is still going to be over at the Art Museum Drive area at the Schultz Center," he said.

On religious instruction in schools, Ricardo said state law allows parent-initiated options such as in-school bible study but that those programs must be requested and organized by parents. "If you're insisting on bible study for your students during the school day, you can do that, but that's going to have to be something that comes from the public," he said.

Ricardo ended his presentation offering to take questions and to be available to residents after the meeting.

Ending: Ricardo encouraged continued community engagement, providing contact opportunities for residents to raise safety and operational concerns with him and district staff.