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Wide public comment session pits DEI supporters against critics amid board tensions
Summary
Fifteen public speakers urged the Duval County School Board either to remove or defend diversity, equity and inclusion language and criticized or defended recent board members’ actions; speakers also urged withdrawal from the Council of Great City Schools and raised safety and transparency concerns.
During the board’s allotted public comment period on June 3, 15 speakers delivered three minutes each on a range of topics that coalesced around two central disputes: proposed changes to district policy language on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and concerns about district transparency and affiliations.
Speakers who identified with or supported Moms for Liberty and other conservative parent groups urged withdrawal from the Council of Great City Schools and called for greater fiscal restraint. Natalie Dreyer, who said she spoke on behalf of Moms for Liberty Duval, asked the district to “consider withdrawing from the Council of Great City Schools” and raised safety questions about student ID badges used for campus access.
Other commenters demanded protection for DEI language and criticized board members they described as amplifying partisan attacks. Erin Scherer, who said she was “deeply disappointed” the board struck “diversity, equity, inclusion” from district policy language, told trustees: “Removing DEI from our policies tells us exactly who you are. It tells us that certain members of this board can be bought.” Dr. Nancy Stotts, a physician and District 2 resident, referred to civil‑rights concerns and quoted the Southern Poverty Law Center’s classification of a national parent group.
Multiple speakers described personal and operational safety issues. Natalie Dreyer reported incidents in which duplicate student badges were used to breach campus security; she said some intruders included adults who “looked enough like teenagers to get hidden onto campus.” Other speakers raised budgetary worries about cuts to accelerated, AP and enrichment programs.
Student and teacher speakers emphasized the programs’ benefits and urged trustees to protect accelerated learning funds and school libraries. Caden Young, a student, urged trustees to “earmark” funds so accelerated programs survive possible state funding changes, calling the programs life-changing for participants.
Board members and the superintendent did not respond to comments during the period; chair protocol notes the board generally receives public input for later deliberation. The chair closed the public comment period after the allotted speakers.
Ending: The public comment session underscored sharp divides in community priorities — budget pressures and questions about outside affiliations on one side, and defense of DEI, school resources and student safety on the other. Several speakers asked the board to act on affiliation decisions and policy language; trustees signaled some items would return for further discussion.
