On Tuesday the Duval County School Board approved a 10‑day unpaid suspension for Jacksonville City Council Member Tyrona Clark‑Murray, who also teaches at duPont Middle School. In a Wednesday statement, Clark‑Murray announced she will appeal the decision to the state, asserting that the board bypassed several steps of the district’s four‑level progressive discipline process.
Background and disciplinary history
Clark‑Murray has served Duval Schools for 33 years and, according to the statement, has never faced discipline before this action. The district’s policy outlines a progressive discipline ladder: verbal warning, written warning, suspension, and finally termination. The statement claims the board “skipped multiple steps of progressive discipline in this case and cases like it have previously been overturned by the Courts.”
Incident that triggered the investigation
In May, Clark‑Murray was removed from her classroom while an HR investigation proceeded. The district has not disclosed what prompted the investigation and declined to provide requested public records of the investigation or her personnel file.
News reports from that time indicated that Clark‑Murray self‑reported an altercation in which she kicked an exceptional‑ed student who had first kicked her. The incident led to the current suspension, which was placed on the board’s consent agenda and passed without discussion.
Board members’ positions
During public comment, Duval Teachers United attorney Stephanie Schaap spoke on Clark‑Murray’s behalf. Schaap raised concerns that a board member had posted on X (formerly Twitter) about the case, showing “clear bias and prejudice.” She asked District 2 representative April Carney to recuse herself from the vote. Carney declined to step aside and voted in favor of the suspension.
Carney later told Jacksonville Today that her social‑media comments “reflected the seriousness of the allegations while expressly recognizing her right to due process and the need for a complete investigation.” She added, “When this matter ultimately came before the School Board, I considered the information and recommendation presented to us and cast my vote based on the record before the Board. I am confident that I fulfilled my responsibilities as a Board member fairly and impartially.”
Carney also noted that her individual vote was not determinative; the board’s decision would have been the same regardless of how she voted.
Only one board member, Darryl Willie, voted against the consent agenda. Willie explained his dissent was largely tied to separate concerns about book removals that were bundled with the suspension on the agenda.
Clark‑Murray’s public service record
State records show Clark‑Murray has been a certified teacher in Florida since 1993. She has served on the Jacksonville City Council for roughly four years, representing District 5. She declined to comment on the suspension for this story, citing advice from her attorney.
Implications for the community
The suspension raises questions about due‑process protections for educators who also hold elected office. If the appeal succeeds, it could set a precedent for how school districts handle disciplinary actions involving public officials. Parents and community members are watching closely, as the outcome may affect classroom stability and the broader perception of fairness in the district’s disciplinary system.
Local stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and city officials, are encouraged to stay informed about the appeal process and any subsequent board actions. The district has indicated it will continue to follow its established procedures while the investigation remains ongoing.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
