DCPS may relocate its headquarters, potentially freeing millions for school repairs and capital reserves. Parents of students are demanding transparency
A major move may be on the horizon for Duval county public schools.
The district is considering relocating its headquarters from the Southbank to the Baymeadows area. A decision that could free up millions for school repairs and renovations.
The company interested in purchasing the property has plans to build a senior living community in its place.
Parents who spoke with First Coast News tell us that if the district is going to make a $6 million profit from relocating its headquarters, they want full transparency on where that money goes.
Many hope schools can benefit from much needed school upgrades and repairs.
“Just making sure they are totally transparent with the funds. Because that’s like a $6 million profit that supposedly goes towards things necessary to do what needs to be done as far as the schools go so hopefully total transparency,” said Dorcee Brown, a father of an Ed White 10th grader.
DCPS is looking to sell its longtime headquarters at 1701 Prudential Drive on the Southbank for $20 million.
If approved, the district would then purchase a property at 8928 Prominence Parkway for $14 million dollars, which was once home to Southeastern grocers.
According to DCPS, the $6 million net gains from the sale would go towards school repairs, renovations and the capital reserves to help reduce the district’s $1.4 billion budget shortfall.
“The parents want to be able to see it, not just hear it but see it,” said Vanessa Brown, a mother of an Ed White 10th grader.
Many DCPS parents said their children’s schools are in need of upgrades and they want to ensure the money goes to the right places.
“I really think the inner-city schools should use that and more kids would probably be eager to go to school and even the teachers will probably feel better being there,” said Christopher Standish, father of a DCPS 8th grader, “A lot of money doesn’t go to places like that.”
Christopher Standish’s son is an 8th grader and said funding could help fix problems students deal with daily.
“A lot of times instruments break and there’s not a lot of instruments left and with that money they could get a lot more instruments and the room could be bigger because the orchestra room is very small,” said the 8th grader.
On September 2nd, the school board will vote on whether to let the superintendent begin negotiations. A final vote on the sale is scheduled for October 7th.
If the school board does not approve the proposed sale, the district will continue exploring other options for relocation.
First Coast News will be at Tuesday night’s school board meeting and will bring you updates here on First Coast News.
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