Some Florida teachers and parents are grappling with how to explain disappearing books to their students under sweeping, inconsistent book policies school districts have implemented in response to new state rules.
It’s been two weeks since Duval Schools directed teachers to temporarily cover or store classroom library books so that 52 certified media specialists can review classroom and school library books across the district’s nearly 200 schools — a massive undertaking that’s left some classrooms nearly bookless for the time being.
Duval Schools’ schoolbook review is in response to a new state law that makes it easier for parents to contest schoolbooks, but it’s also more dramatic than surrounding districts. St. Johns County Schools is letting most books stay in place in classrooms, while distributing a list of a few dozen books to be removed. Clay County Schools says it hasn’t directed teachers to remove any books yet.
Guest: Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today reporter.
Jacksonville civil rights icon uninvited from speaking at local schools
Jacksonville civil rights icon Rodney Hurst has been speaking to schoolchildren for years about his role in the Jacksonville civil rights movement.
Hurst and other young people were viciously attacked in 1960 by whites bearing ax handles when they tried to integrate Downtown lunch counters. The infamous event became known as Ax Handle Saturday.
But now, Hurst tells WJCT News a local teacher at a Duval County public school says she can no longer invite him to speak. The reason: concern about possible backlash from Tallahassee.
Guest: Rodney Hurst, author and civil rights activist.
Drive Electric North Florida
Jacksonville’s largest monthly car show is Saturday at The Avenues mall, and this time Caffeine and Octane will have a new twist.
Guest: Bill Bortzfield, EV Rider owner/producer and former WJCT digital editor.
'What’s Good Wednesday'
- The 19th Florida Black Expo will take place this weekend at the Ritz Theatre and TIAA Bank Field. The event was moved from the fall to February to coincide with Black History Month.
- Join the Melanin Market in celebration of the contributions of local living legends, community activists and historians along with businesses and organizations at this year’s Heritage Awards at 7 p.m. Friday at WJCT Studios.
- Newfold Digital is celebrating its second anniversary in Jacksonville.
- RealSense, United Way of Northeast Florida’s financial well-being initiative, is offering free tax preparation services for low- to moderate-income families and individuals, people with disabilities and Veterans now through Tax Day on April 18. Visit UnitedWayNEFL.org/taxes or dial 211 to book a free tax preparation appointment at one of more than 15 RealSense tax sites across Northeast Florida.
- And a happy birthday to our senior producer, Heather Schatz!
