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Public commenters sharply divided over DEI policy and 'Moms for Liberty' at Duval meeting
Summary
Fifteen speakers in the public comment period urged the board either to protect or to remove diversity, equity and inclusion language from district policy, while others raised safety and transparency concerns.
Dozens of members of the public used Tuesday’s Duval County School Board meeting to press competing views on diversity, equity and inclusion in district policy, the influence of the group Moms for Liberty, and school safety and transparency.
Fifteen speakers addressed the board during the public comment portion. Some urged the board to keep DEI language in district policy and to uphold inclusive practices; others, including members associated with Moms for Liberty Duval, asked the board to withdraw from the Council of Great City Schools and to remove or reconsider DEI language.
Several speakers tied the debate over policy language to broader concerns about governance and transparency. Natalie Dreyer, speaking as a representative of Moms for Liberty Duval, said parents remain worried about campus safety and described a badge-duplication problem she said has allowed intruders onto campuses: "How are badges a key component of campus safety when there are no access protocols built into them?" Dreyer said.
Supporters of DEI urged the board to retain the language. Erin Scherer told the board, "DEI is not radical. It is the bare minimum commitment to fairness and understanding," and argued removing it sends a message that some students matter less.
Students and family members spoke about classroom programs and funding. Caden Young, a student who described himself as part of a group that recently succeeded in a Jacksonville City Council resolution supporting public schools, urged the board to shield accelerated programs from budget cuts: "Please separate these funds out. Please take steps to protect our programs." Teachers, librarians and parents also used their time to advocate for school resources, including fully funded libraries and media specialists; Spring Park Elementary media specialist Emily Gideon said simply, "Please fund school libraries."
Other speakers accused board members of partisan behavior or of aligning with outside groups to the detriment of public schools. Several mentioned the group Moms for Liberty by name; others defended the superintendent and urged the board to support district leadership.
The public comment session reflected the broader policy fight now playing out at school boards nationwide: competing visions of what district policies should emphasize, debates over membership in national education organizations, and concerns about school safety and budget priorities.
