Westside parents urge new superintendent to consider kids during potential school closures talks

Published: Jul 01, 2024 Duration: 00:02:33 Category: News & Politics

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With us tonight. School closures. One of the biggest topics, Duval County public school parents are already asking incoming district superintendent, Doctor Christopher Bernier. Doctor Bernier started his job today but will officially be sworn in tomorrow afternoon. Our Andrew Badillo is on your side tonight. Parents speaking with other parents about what they like to see from the new superintendent. And Andrew, what did they tell you? Anthony? I spoke with two West Side high school parents who want to see the new Super inte who want the new superintendent to think of the kids when it comes to potential school closures. One of those schools is West Side, high West Side High School needs some love if we can have some refreshing, you know, some fresh paint, but parents don't want others to judge what they can't see. We're offering an electrician's apprenticeship. We're offering the CN A program. The certified nurse assistant program or CN A is one of the most recent additions. According to school advisory council president LaToya Walker, typically that's something that you can do after high school and it's like a two year programs or three year program, but they're getting that on top of working on their high school diploma. It's one of the many programs that could be lost in a consultant's report. West Side High School is one of several schools proposed to close to cut costs. Recently, the district hosted focus groups to gather feedback from community stakeholders like Walker. We have at least in West Side and I know in some of the other schools, a number of homeless students, you know, what does that do for them? We have um a number of CS S students, exceptional needs students. All questions Walker and other parents like Eliza Glover have for incoming superintendent, Doctor Christopher Bernier who will inherit the challenge of potentially closing schools West Side doesn't want him to judge it by its cover. Consider that the Children they are the most important part of this process. And I would hate to see um a community as vibrant as this area to suffer the loss. The consultant recommended more than 30 schools to close. Walker said DC PS leaders collected feedback from the focus group meeting. The district says it will compile information from the group saying the goal is to have the school board take action on a new plan in September or October. Andrew B first coast news on yours.

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