October 24, 2025

Transportation Services for Duval County Schools Remain Unchanged

News Summary

Duval County Public Schools has confirmed that transportation for its magnet schools will continue without changes, providing reassurance amid a significant budget deficit. Despite earlier concerns regarding funding cuts, the district will maintain services for over 22,000 students. Future transportation eligibility changes are set for the 2024-2025 school year, increasing the qualifying distance for middle and high school students. This decision alleviates worries for families relying on these services as the district continues to balance budget constraints.

Jacksonville

Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) has confirmed that transportation services for its more than 50 magnet schools will continue without any changes, providing reassurance to families concerned about potential alterations amid ongoing budget evaluations. This decision comes as the district grapples with a significant budget deficit exceeding $100 million.

Currently, over 22,000 students are enrolled in the magnet school programs within the DCPS system. A district spokesperson emphasized DCPS’s commitment to addressing transportation concerns for these students, even as the district evaluates its financial situation. While there was initial consideration for possible funding cuts to magnet transportation due to expenses exceeding state funding, the decision to maintain these services has been made clear for the immediate future.

In order to streamline operations and address the financial strain, the district has introduced changes to transportation eligibility slated for the 2024-2025 school year. These adjustments include increasing the distance for middle and high school students to qualify for transportation from one-and-a-half miles to two miles. This change will affect approximately 1,100 students. Additionally, the allowable distance students may live from their bus stop has been increased by half a mile.

Despite the budget challenges, which have resulted in cuts to hundreds of teaching positions and the closure of several elementary schools over the past two years, the elimination of transportation for magnet schools has not been proposed for the immediate future. School board leaders are aware of the concerns expressed by parents regarding how the potential removal of transportation would impact their children’s education and limit school choice opportunities. Many parents have indicated that discontinuing transportation services could disproportionately affect working families who rely on these services for their children’s schooling.

To enhance effectiveness and address low ridership at some magnet schools, school officials are also considering the combination of bus routes. District 3 School Board Member Cindy Pearson has acknowledged that difficult decisions will need to be made in light of the district’s budget constraints, which may lead to broader discussions about school closures and potentially discontinuing some programs.

The continuation of transportation for DCPS magnet schools provides families with clarity as they plan for the upcoming school year, while district officials remain focused on balancing the budget and ensuring all students have access to educational options.

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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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