JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The newly rebuilt Jean Ribault High School in Northeast Jacksonville experienced a power outage on the first day of school on Monday morning.
Around 7:20 a.m., JEA told News4JAX that power had been fully restored — just in time to welcome students on their first day of school.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department told News4JAX the issue seemed to be related to electrical arcing, which occurs when electricity jumps a gap between two conductors, creating a spark and intense heat.
JEA said the issue was reported as a “damaged power pole,” but the cause of the outage is still unclear.
“We’re going to get beyond this. We will be OK. Once the power is on, we will be up and running,” Principal Gregory D. Bostic told News4JAX.
Two Duval County public schools that got an overhaul were set to open to students for the first time on Monday.
A well-known school in Northwest Jacksonville, Jean Ribault High School, has a brand new look to start the upcoming school year after it was torn down and rebuilt.
Ribault is the first new high school built under the half-penny sales tax.
“There’s so much pride in this school. If you know anything about Jean Ribault, you know that the alum come in force. Not just athletic events, but to support the students,” school board member Darryl Willie said Friday.
Willie said nearly 1,500 kids are going to experience the $58 million, 234,000-square-foot campus. As an additional benefit for students, VyStar Credit Union also opened its on-campus branch, where students can learn financial literacy.
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And Southside Estates Elementary School was expanded to welcome students from Windy Hill Elementary School amid district consolidation.
“History is being made. It’s an awesome opportunity for the entire Duval County. It allows two students from two separate schools to come together. We’re now one big family,” Principal Teresa Brown said.
The school can hold anywhere between 900 to 1,000 students and includes a computer lab, a multipurpose cafetorium, and four playgrounds for students to enjoy.
“This building reflects the passion and commitment that you bring every day,” DCPS Superintendent Christopher Berneir said in his message to teachers. “You have purpose and impact, and you will find it here in this building.”
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