The Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) is seeking $50,000 more in community donations after raising 89% of the funds needed to rename six Duval County public schools that were named after Confederate generals.
Following an undisclosed donation amount by VyStar Credit Union, JPEF is close to completely covering the estimated cost of around $870,000 needed to finish renaming the schools without dipping into taxpayer funds.
VyStar has pledged to match additional donations up to $50,000, meaning community donations totaling that amount would result in $100,000 being put towards school renaming efforts.
Most of the costs associated with renaming the six public schools includes replacing school equipment, signs, marquees and athletic uniforms using the now-outdated names and logos.
JPEF so far has nearly matched the fund goal through private donations along with the district’s beverage dollars that can be used for discretionary spending through a contract with drink vendors. New uniforms have been donated by the Jacksonville Jaguars and an anonymous private company.
More than 370 contributors have made a donation to JPEF.
Residents who want to make a tax deductible donation can do so online at the JPEF crowdfunding site, or by mailing a check with “school renaming” as the memo to 40 E. Adams Street, Suite 110. VyStar will match up to $50,000 in cumulative contributions.
Raymon Troncoso can be reached at rtroncoso@wjct.org, 904-358-6319 or on Twitter at @RayTroncoso.
