Duval County Schools is exploring whether to consolidate Mayport Elementary and Anchor Academy, prompting parents, alumni, and district officials to meet to discuss what such a change could mean for students.<\/p>\n
At the meeting, some attendees voiced concern that merging the two schools could dilute the military-focused support Anchor Academy provides. Lillian Mikhalchuck, an Anchor Academy alum, described the school as a tight-knit community that understood what she and other military kids were going through.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really truly appreciated what Anchor Academy brought me and brought into my life \u2014 a community of all these kids that knew how I felt, knew what I was going through,\u201d Mikhalchuck said.<\/p>\n
Others at the meeting said they believe military families would continue to receive strong support if the schools were combined. <\/p>\n
Kate Dewey, a Mayport Elementary parent who also works with the Department of Defense, said Mayport already serves military students and that consolidation could even increase on-base engagement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can honestly say that in this school, I know the students \u2014 the military students \u2014 are supported, because I work within the military community,\u201d Dewey said. She added that a larger student body could mean \u201cmore visits from the school liaison officer and maybe even the CO from Mayport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duval County Schools is not making any decisions yet. Corey Wright, the district\u2019s Chief of Accountability, Research and Strategy, said the two school communities have already begun discussing solutions together and stressed that the district will prioritize students in whatever outcome is chosen.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Anchor families and the Mayport families were already starting to problem-solve together and sharing ideas with one another, and I think that just speaks to the nature of both school communities,\u201d Wright said. \u201cThey\u2019re both great environments for children to learn and thrive, and whatever the outcome is, we\u2019ll continue to do what\u2019s best for students.\u201d<\/p>\n
The district is gathering community input over the next two months and will use that feedback to make a recommendation to the superintendent.<\/p>\n
School board members could vote on a recommendation in November.<\/p>\n
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