Open enrollment off the table for Duval Schools

A vote on open enrollment set for tonight's school board meeting is no longer an option for Duval County Schools this year.

Duval County Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti says he's pulling open enrollment after outcry from the community. School board member for District 7, Jason Fischer, says he feels myths and fears that some schools would shut down as a result, contributed to the decision.

"There was a lot of concern from the community about the speed at which this was moving."

Board member Constance Hall told our newspartner Action news, open enrollment only looked good on paper. Now that the vote is officially off the table, she thinks the focus should be elsewhere.

"Let's get behind those doors and make sure that those initiatives are reaching each and every child."

But Fischer says schools that underperformed or were under enrolled would not have been left behind.

"I had already committed to doing everything possible to help the 160 plus schools that we have in our school district. We've already made plans to invest in the different schools in every community all around Jacksonville."

Fischer tells WOKV he hopes open enrollment will be up for discussion again in years to come.

"We as the government shouldn't be making those decisions for the families. We should be empowering them to make the best educational choice for their child."

Fischer says he hopes parents will still come to tonight's school board meeting to continue to address their concerns about open enrollment, whether for it or against it.