October 10, 2025

Duval County School Board Faces Backlash Over Political Shirts

News Summary

The Duval County School Board is under scrutiny after four members wore pink shirts stating, ‘This is the turning point’ during a meeting. While the shirts aimed to honor activist Charlie Kirk and promote breast cancer awareness, many community members interpreted them as a political statement associated with Turning Point USA. Parents expressed concerns that the board was politicizing a public forum, while board chair Charlotte Joyce insisted the shirts were not politically motivated. Ongoing discussions about political expression in education and the board’s independence from legal counsel are also stirring community debate.

Jacksonville – The Duval County School Board has come under fire following a recent meeting where four members wore pink shirts emblazoned with the phrase, “This is the turning point.” The members involved included Chair Charlotte Joyce, Vice Chair April Carney, Melody Bolduc, and Anthony Ricardo. The shirts were meant to honor the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk and to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

However, community members have voiced their criticisms, interpreting the shirts as a political statement connected to Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Kirk. Parent Erin Sharer expressed frustration over the board using a public meeting platform for what she perceives as political displays. Another parent, Mandy Rubin, condemned the use of the color pink for political messaging rather than focusing solely on breast cancer awareness.

In response to the backlash, Board Chair Joyce clarified that the shirts were not officially associated with Turning Point USA and were inspired primarily by a memorial for Kirk. The situation has been further complicated by ongoing investigations into teacher Hope McMath for political statements made on social media, raising concerns about fairness in how political speech is treated within the school district.

Community members pointed out a perceived hypocrisy in the board’s allowance of political expressions while educators face scrutiny and potential repercussions for similar actions. This situation has sparked wider discussions about political expression in education settings.

On a related note, the City Council has shown support for the School Board’s initiative to gain independence from the Office of General Counsel, which would allow them to hire their own legal counsel. A full City Council vote on this resolution is scheduled for October 14, 2023, and will ultimately need approval from the state Legislature during its 2026 session.

Current legal practices are often regarded as limiting for the Duval County School District, particularly when hiring experienced education law attorneys. Concerns have also been raised regarding how this change might influence the consolidation of Jacksonville’s governmental structure.

Joyce indicated that the existing relationship with the Office of General Counsel affects their ability to attract qualified legal professionals due to different retirement systems in effect. Additionally, discussions about potentially relocating the school district’s headquarters had previously encountered community opposition, leading to a recent proposal that was unanimously rejected.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier has committed to ongoing communications regarding potential relocation options for the district. The Duval County School Board faces a challenging political landscape, grappling with community opinions, legal challenges, and its mission concerning education and advocacy.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Duval County Schools Push for Independent Legal Counsel
Controversy Erupts at School Over Teacher’s Social Media Comments
Tragic Traffic Fatalities in Jacksonville Raise Safety Concerns
Jacksonville University College of Law Achieves High Bar Exam Success
Florida Education Commissioner Seeks to Revoke Teacher’s License
Jacksonville’s Annual Light Boat Parade Set to Dazzle
Jacksonville Faces Budget Vote Amid Controversial Claims
Community Voices Concern Over School Consolidation
Jacksonville School Official Resigns Following Controversial Comments
Duval County School Board Considers Headquarters Relocation

Additional Resources

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.

ADD MORE INFORMATION OR CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ARTICLE CLICK HERE!