Board hears concerns about proposed Anchor Academy move into Mayport; vice chair says she is working on federal support options

The board discussed a proposed consolidation to move Anchor Academy into Mayport and several board members said communities have raised strong opposition.

Vice Chair Cornell, whose district includes the affected neighborhoods, described community resistance and said an earlier vote produced a significant amount of opposition. "It was a very uncomfortable, not pleasant process with these two communities. And the vote actually was 11 to 9 against anchor moving into Mayport," she said, adding that she has been working with federal and military officials and intends to pull the item at the November 4 meeting to continue that work.

Board member Pearson suggested an alternative: leasing Anchor Academy to the Navy for Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) use and arranging before‑and‑after‑care with transportation to preserve the school’s current role for military families. "I've wondered all along if it's possible for DCPS to lease Anchor Academy to the Navy as MWR space," she said.

Staff did not present a final decision at the hearing; Vice Chair Cornell said she is pursuing conversations with the Naval Station leadership, members of Congress and state officials to identify possible supports for military families and to seek alternatives to the proposed consolidation. The board did not vote on the consolidation at the meeting.