Duval County School Board approves remote participation for Vice Chair April Kearney as members debate chairmanship

At a Duval County School Board meeting, the board approved Vice Chair April Kearney’s participation via interactive video or telephone and opened a wide-ranging discussion about next year’s board leadership, including whether a board member running for re-election should serve as chair.

Chair Doris said she wanted to address community emails about a practice some called the “board member Pearson rule” and praised Kearney: "I think she's been able to public comment very well," and said Kearney "is completely ready for leadership." The chair called for discussion after the procedural motion to allow Kearney’s remote participation was moved by Board member Ricardo and seconded by Board member Blunt; the chair asked for objections and declared the item approved.

Why it matters: Leadership decisions will shape how the board presents major policy priorities — including an upcoming millage renewal — to voters and how it coordinates on teacher pay and district messaging. Several members said cohesion and temperament across the table matter when selecting a chair who can lead advocacy efforts.

Board member Pearson responded to suggestions that she had previously been excluded from leadership while campaigning, saying the prior decision was made by board vote rather than a single person and asking colleagues to specify objections. "Someone even said they feared for my mental health if I tried to do both," Pearson said, recounting comments she said were made about her capacity. She also reviewed voting records, saying she had been in the minority only a few times since the new board convened and that most votes had been unanimous.

Several members discussed the practical politics of running leadership while seeking re-election. Vice Chair April Kearney raised concerns about timing and competing ballot measures, saying, "It's gonna be very, very hard for the district to go after property tax raises with competing with the property tax relief package" and urged the board to work with district leadership and lobbyists on alternate plans to raise teacher salaries without relying solely on a millage.

Members also discussed board composition and the value of pairing an experienced chair with a newer vice chair to broaden perspectives. One board member urged newer members to consider stepping into leadership roles as part of succession and capacity building.

The board reviewed the procedural steps for next week's organizational meeting, where nominations for chair will be taken first and voting will continue until a nominee secures a majority; the board will then nominate and vote for vice chair and complete organizational business. A separate item on the agenda requested milestone updates by email about a recently approved property sale; staff said those updates are already planned and will be emailed as contract milestones pass.

The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn carried. The board will reconvene at its scheduled organizational meeting next week to elect its chair and vice chair.