Duval County School Board adopts $3.404 billion final budget, approves millage rates

The Duval County School Board unanimously approved final budget resolutions and millage rates at a special meeting on Sept. 11, 2025, adopting a total final budget of $3,404,448,304 for the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Dr. Bernier read the board’s recommendation that the district adopt budget resolution number 11 for multiple funds, including the general fund, food service, special revenue, CARES, capital projects, internal services, trust fiduciary fund and debt service. After questions and brief discussion, the board voted to adopt the resolutions.

Board member Pearson asked whether the district had received the state’s “fourth calculation” to finalize revenue estimates; Dr. Bernier responded, “We have not received the fourth calculations from the state of Florida yet. It’s highly unusual. Those are usually provided in June. We are in September and don’t still don’t have them,” and said staff used their best estimates and would return with revised numbers if the state calculation arrives.

The board approved several millage levies during the meeting. Dr. Bernier recommended and the board adopted: a required local effort millage levy of 3.095 mills (proposed amount to be raised $375,536,881); a nonvoted discretionary operating millage levy of 0.748 mills (proposed amount $90,759,802); a voted discretionary operating millage levy of 1.000 mills (proposed amount $121,336,634); and a capital outlay millage levy of 1.500 mills (proposed amount $182,004,951). All were adopted following public hearings that produced no public opposition and were passed unanimously.

During the final-budget public hearing a student speaker, Moa Don, urged greater student participation and clearer budget education. Don said the group had reviewed the budget and asked the board to “help us honestly to find a way to understand it,” noting students want to know why services such as bus routes or free and reduced-price lunches change. The chair responded that the district posts monthly financials and that the audit advisory committee, composed of community members with accounting and auditing experience, reviews the budget and asks detailed questions. The chair offered to coordinate additional engagement with staff to meet students’ needs.

The board also approved the district’s annual financial report (AFR ESE 3 48) inclusive of the cost report for the year ending June 30, 2025. Taken together, the votes finalize the district’s line-item totals the board recorded: operating $1,580,384,319; special revenue $262,691,785; debt service $241,335,317; capital outlay $1,112,884,609; trust fund $75,293; internal service $205,172,408; enterprise $1,904,573; for a final grand total of $3,404,448,304.

All motions and millage adoptions were approved unanimously. The board adjourned following completion of the agenda.