BY DAN HILDEBRAN
The public comment section of the Clay County School Board’s September 4 meeting contained several issues addressed in the past, like alleged inappropriate library books and teacher salaries.
However, parents brought up new issues coinciding with the beginning of the school year, like smartphone apps the school system is using and the district’s implementation of the state’s two-mile rule for bus transportation.
Bruce Friedman criticized the inclusion of the book “You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P.” by Alex Gino in school libraries, arguing it promotes divisive narratives about race and police violence. He called for better oversight to prevent such materials from reaching students, citing the removal of 725 titles over three years for violating content standards.
Sheila Torres and Adam Warren raised issues with the district’s adoption of new technology, including the Rooms app for parent-teacher communication and the Chipmunk app for bus tracking.
Torres noted that not all teachers were using Rooms, limiting parental access to critical information.
Warren praised the principals at Argyle Elementary, Orange Park Junior High and Orange Park High School.
“So those three schools,” he told board members, “I’m affiliated with them because I have kids there. All top-notch leadership going on, and, you know, so there’s definitely some praise there.”
Warren then complained about another app the district is using. GoFan automates ticket purchases for athletic events. Warren pointed out that the app takes $1.25 for every transaction it processes.
“That is a ton of money that you guys are leaving on the table,” he told the board.
The speaker then complained about Chipmunk, comparing it unfavorably with the transportation app the district used last year: Here Comes the Bus.
“Chipmunk has been an absolute disaster,” he proclaimed. “You know, kids, we’re not getting robocalls. We have no clue. We’re not getting the notifications.”
Warren added that Chipmunk fails to identify the number of the bus picking up students and highlighted a 45-minute bus delay, as well as safety concerns about unidentified buses, urging the district to reconsider its transportation solutions.
Sarah Harrison, representing Patterson Elementary’s Parent and Family Association, expressed frustration with new vendor forms that complicate fundraising efforts.
She noted that established vendors, such as Domino’s Pizza and Texas Roadhouse, were no longer approved.
Harrison requested streamlined vendor processes to support parent-funded initiatives.
Major Matt Webber of the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting office in Jacksonville told board members that last year, 29 Clay County graduates joined his organization.
Webber highlighted the Marines’ ROTC program, which has awarded $4.7 million in scholarships in his area, stretching from Albany, Georgia, to Daytona Beach.
“As a recipient of that scholarship in 2011, through the University of Pennsylvania,” he said, “I cannot speak highly enough of that program and have a deep interest in expanding that opportunity to students of Clay County.”
Kawana Hawthorne voiced safety concerns about the lack of bus transportation for her eighth-grade daughter at Orange Park Junior High, who she said faces a 45-minute walk through an area with registered sex offenders and no crossing guards.
Hawthorne called the decision to eliminate bus service “unbelievable” and unsafe, urging the board to reinstate transportation for seventh- and eighth-grade students.
Union rep.: District stonewalling
Vicki Kidwell, representing the Clay County Education Association (CCEA), told board members that her organization has begun to negotiate a new contract with the district. She complained about district administrators failing to fulfill her requests for the district’s financial data.
“CCEA has been requesting millage expenditure, fund balance details, and other budget information for many months,” she said. “We all understand that this is a difficult budget year in Clay County. However, we also know that financial disclosure is a legal requirement necessary for bargaining in good faith.”
Kidwell noted that surrounding counties use millage funds for both safety and competitive salaries, while Clay County allocates none to wages. She pointed to a 53% increase in administrative staff since 2015, despite only a 7% student population growth, and a $700,000 increase in administrative spending against a $25 million decrease in instructional funding. She called for clarity on millage expenditures and fund balances to ensure fair negotiations.
Superintendent’s Response and board comments
Superintendent David Broskie acknowledged issues with the Chipmunk app, which he said crashed on the first day due to statewide server overload.
He assured parents that transportation staff were addressing their concerns.
He explained the state’s two-mile transportation rule and the hazardous walking condition process, encouraging parents to apply for courtesy rider status.
On teacher salaries, Broskie expressed a shared desire to increase pay but noted budget constraints, promising continued collaboration with the Clay County Education Association.
Regarding vendor issues, he confirmed that the district’s Chief Academic Officer, Roger Dailey, would personally follow up with Patterson Elementary to resolve delays in approving vendors for fundraisers.
Board members echoed Broskie’s sentiments, emphasizing their commitment to addressing community concerns.
Robert Alvero supported exploring millage funds for teacher salaries and transportation improvements, while Beth Clark praised the district’s efforts to avoid portables and highlighted the Farm Bureau’s $7,400 scholarship fundraiser.
Michele Hanson addressed the learning curve with new apps like Rooms and Chipmunk, urging patience as they improve communication.
Erin Skipper emphasized the board’s efforts to secure career and technical education funding through legislative advocacy and reaffirmed the board’s commitment to competitive teacher pay within budget constraints.
