Duval school board renews Amistar (I Am A Star) agreement amid ethics questions about a runoff candidate

The Duval County School Board on Sept. 3 approved a renewal agreement with Amistar Foundation Inc., commonly known in board materials as I Am A Star, for the 2024–25 school year for an amount not to exceed $293,125.

Board members spent substantial time during the discussion pressing general counsel for guidance about a runoff candidate who is employed by the foundation and could, if elected, create an appearance of a conflict. General counsel told the board that "that individual has not been sworn in and taken the seat as a board member so at this point there's not any type of conflict," and that an existing contract "would be grandfathered in until the point that is up for renewal or if it's up for an amendment," at which point a conflict could arise.

Board Member Carney said the issue stemmed from constituent concerns and framed the question as an ethics issue, saying she could not envision supporting a candidate if it created a double-salary or double-compensation scenario: "I can't vote for that candidate," she said during discussion.

Supporters of the agreement and several board members emphasized the nonprofit's direct work with vulnerable students and urged that the legal guidance not diminish recognition of its services. The board voted 7–0 to approve the contract and authorized the chair or vice chair and the superintendent to execute the agreement contingent on general-counsel approval.

What it means next: General counsel said the legal exposure would depend on whether the contract came back to the board for renewal or amendment while an employed, elected board member still held a seat; at that point the board and the individual would need to follow statutory ethics rules or consider resignation or nonrenewal.

The item was moved and seconded during the discussion and approved by voice vote 7–0.