NAACP addresses school closings in Duval County

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has released a statement regarding the disparities in recent school closings here in Duval County.

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The Jacksonville branch of the NAACP, led by President Isiah Rumlin, issued a statement Wednesday about the situation.

The statement begins by discussing the current issues facing Duval County Public Schools that have led to school closures, before calling on the Duval County School Board to address the issue.

The statement then reflects on the students and staff, primarily from the African-American community, who will be affected by the closings. Regarding students, the statement reads:

“These closures disrupt the learning environment, disrupt academic progress, and exacerbate existing educational inequities that continue to widen the achievement gap. Students who already face barriers to academic success, such as a lack of resources or access to support services, are further marginalized by the closing of their schools.”

On the staffing side, the statement talks about how teachers and administrators have stepped up and raised concerns about job stability and livelihoods. The statement then addresses the community impact that could occur with these school closings, stating:

“When schools in these neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by closings, it not only hinders students’ educational opportunities, but also undermines a sense of belonging and empowerment within these communities.“

The statement calls for the Duval County School Board to reconsider its decisions regarding school closures. It says that while decisions to close schools can be “undoubtedly difficult”, they must be implemented in a way that is “conscious of the disparities” that exist in the education system. The statement closes with the following:

“By focusing equity and justice in the approach to school closures, we can work to build a more inclusive and just education system that empowers all students, regardless of their background.”

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