Jacksonville residents showed strong support for Duval Schools on Tuesday, approving a renewal of the district’s 1‑mill special property tax levy with roughly 75% voting in favor. The levy, which generates about $125 million annually, adds roughly $300 to the average homeowner’s yearly tax bill and provides a salary supplement of nearly $9,000 for the average teacher.
Levy renewal and its impact
The renewed levy funds competitive teacher salaries, arts and athletics programs, and a portion of the revenue is allocated to the county’s charter schools as required by state law. Superintendent Chris Bernier praised the vote, saying the renewal “sends a clear and powerful message” of community support for the A‑rated district. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude to Duval voters for their continued investment in our educators and our children,” Bernier wrote in a statement.
School board races remain closely contested
All three school board seats were open, with no incumbents seeking re‑election. While the races were close, each winner received an endorsement from the outgoing district representative, suggesting the board’s overall conservative direction will likely continue.
In District 2, 26‑year‑old political strategist Donovan Bradley defeated parent‑teacher Donna Westrich with about 53% of the vote, taking the seat of April Carney, who opted not to run again.
District 4 saw Rho Butler win the seat vacated by term‑limited Darryl Willie, edging out James “Coach” Jacobs with 50.6% of the vote.
In District 6, Lindsey Denmark captured the seat left by term‑limited Charlotte Joyce, beating CJ James with roughly 53% of the vote.
What the results mean for the community
The strong approval of the levy reflects Jacksonville families’ desire to maintain high‑quality education, competitive teacher pay, and robust extracurricular programs. The narrow board victories underscore a community engaged in local governance, even as the district’s ideological balance remains steady.
With the levy secured, Duval Schools can continue to fund the programs that families value while keeping tuition‑free public education strong. Voters can look forward to another year of stable financing for classrooms, sports, and the arts, reinforcing the district’s reputation for academic excellence.
Local officials encourage residents to stay involved in upcoming board meetings and community forums, emphasizing that continued parental participation is essential to sustaining the district’s progress.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
