Will Duval County half-cent sales tax money be used to rename schools?
District official explains funding process for potential school renaming
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Many opponents of the renaming effort, which later expanded to include nine schools, have argued it’s a waste of public money, with some of them under the impression that revenue from the recently passed Duval County half-cent sales tax would fund the project.
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Duval County Public Schools director of communication Tracy Pierce told News4Jax that those funds collected from the half-cent sales tax would only be used for school renaming in a very limited and specific set of circumstances.
Brandon D. Williams
The family of 32-year-old Brandon D. Williams who was shot to death on Evans Street on the night of Feb. 4 released a statement through attorney Stephenie Everett on Friday. The family held a private memorial service for him today.
The statement reads: On February 4, 2021, our beloved son, devoted father, and adored family member, Brandon D. Williams, was taken from us suddenly. We are so grateful for everyone that has reached out to offer your prayers and support. Brandon was a beautiful soul that will be missed by all who ever had the opportunity to meet him. Brandon was born on October 25, 1988 to Stephanie Giles and Willie T. Williams, Jr. Brandon was the oldest of 4 children and proudly held the title of big brother. In 1990, Brandon and Willie moved from Boston to Jacksonville, Florida. Brandon graduated from Jean Ribault High School in 1998. A year ago, his daughter was hospitalized and Brandon moved back to Boston to care for her. Brandon worked 3
Guest column: Don t betray Jean Ribault
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Our ancestor Jean Ribault (1520-1565) is currently being betrayed by Florida – and by Jacksonville in particular.
In recent months, the Duval County School Board initiated a name change process that includes two schools named after him. If this process reaches completion, Jean Ribault High School and Jean Ribault Middle School would change names.
Other schools included in the process are named after Confederate generals or slavery proponents. Clearly, this amalgam is detrimental to Jean Ribault, of whom we are proud in France, and we wish to defend his memory.
Obviously, there is a misunderstanding about who Jean Ribault was and what he did in Florida in the 16th century. French sailor of great renown, Jean Ribault was the first to recognize Florida in the name of the King of France in 1562. The aim of his expedition was to find, in the New World, a safe harbor for French Huguenots persecuted in France because
Debate over controversial DCPS school names continues
District to host community stakeholder meetings starting in February
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The names of nine Duval County Public Schools campuses are poised to undergo review starting next month, as stakeholders discuss the schools’ controversial namesake historical figures.
Six of the schools under consideration for renaming honor Confederate Civil War leaders and the other three schools are named after leaders who perpetrated violence against Native Americans.
The schools under consideration are:
Joseph Finegan Elementary
Jean Ribault Middle School
In June, the DCPS Board voted unanimously to begin the consideration process for changing the names of six of the schools. Jackson High, Ribault High, and Ribault Middle schools were added to the list in early August.
Be the Change essay contest empowers Duval students to fight against racial injustice
TIAA Bank announced that it will award three $5,000 scholarships to local high school students as part of its new Be the Change scholarship program. Author: First Coast News Staff Published: 11:34 AM EST January 15, 2021 Updated: 1:15 PM EST January 15, 2021
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Some high school students in Jacksonville will have the opportunity to pitch an idea that will help stop the spread of racial injustice in our community while also potentially earning money for college.
On Friday, during the annual 34th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast in Jacksonville, TIAA Bank announced that it will award three $5,000 scholarships to local high school students as part of its new Be the Change scholarship program.