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Officials, residents debate proposed consolidation of Long Branch and R.O. Brown; implementation delayed to 2027–28
Summary
City and school officials, planning and housing staff, and residents discussed a superintendent recommendation to consolidate R.O. Brown and Long Branch Elementary amid underenrollment. The board voted to consolidate but delayed implementation to the 2027–28 school year while city and district explore alternatives and community reuse options.
Councilwoman Pittman convened city and school officials and community members to discuss the Duval County School Board’s recommendation to consolidate R.O. Brown and Long Branch Elementary and to explore ways to preserve neighborhood schools as nearby development increases.
The matter, Daryl Willie, Duval County School Board member for District 4, said, stems from persistent underenrollment across parts of the district. "We have schools that are now under utilized and or under enrolled," Willie said, adding that the superintendent recommended consolidation and the board voted to approve it, but implementation was pushed to the 2027–28 school year to allow more time for planning and possible alternatives.
Why it matters: Council members and residents argued the timing risks losing neighborhood anchors at a moment the city expects substantial development. "When you give folks…
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