by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Several weeks ago when the Downtown Council of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce invited Dist. 1 School Board member Martha Barrett to speak at their meeting Friday, they were expecting to hear an update about what’s going on with Duval County’s public schools. As it happened — timing being everything — Barrett’s appearance coincided with the day after the City’s Charter Revision Commission recommended that School Board members be appointed rather than elected and that they should serve with no salary.
Barrett made it very clear to the council how she feels about that proposal.
“I appreciate the work of the Charter Review Commission, but I wholeheartedly disagree,” she said. “I believe the people of Duval County deserve the right to vote. Nothing should be taken away from them.”
Barrett said that with an elected board, diversity is virtually ensured with at least two minority members likely among the seven districts. She’s also concerned that having an appointed board could stifle the public’s relationship with the people who make decisions regarding educating the county’s children.
“Do you know who’s on the JEA board? No. Do you know who’s on the JTA board? No. People want to know who is on their School Board,” she said.
School Board members put in a lot of time in order to serve, Barrett added. They meet at least twice a month to make sure they understand the issues on the agenda and spend the day of their monthly meeting making sure they are prepared.
Barrett said she also meets with parents’ groups and other education stakeholders in her district “two or three evenings each week,” visits schools in her district on a regular basis and is often invited to speak to civic groups about issues facing schools.
After the Commission’s recommendations are presented to the City Council, Barrett and others will take the time to discuss the issue.
“I’m looking forward to some very hearty discussions,” said Barrett.
Downtown Council also got the education update they were expecting when they invited Barrett to speak Friday.
She reported that Duval County’s public schools are making progress toward improvement, including going from only 10 “A” schools in 1979 to 99 earning the top grade this year. A total of 45 schools have increased at least one grade level with one school, Rutledge Pearson Elementary, improving from an “F” to an “A.”
Barrett also pointed out, “Student performance has increased in every grade level. Our dropout rate is down and our graduation rate is up.”
She attributed the improvements to Duval County being one of the few public school systems in the state to implement a strategic plan. In 2007, a clear set of objectives was identified including, in addition to improving student performance and increasing the county’s high school graduation rate, employing the best teachers and principals; establishing safe, secure and respectful schools; engaging family and community support; and delivering high quality management, operations and customer service.
Barrett said she encourages everyone, particularly the business community, to get involved in education. Even with the progress that has been made, there is still a great deal that must be done.
“You have to go into our public schools to understand the challenges that are facing our children today. There is a huge amount of poverty in this community. A lot of people don’t want to face it but it’s here. It’s in our public schools,” she said.
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