JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Public Schools board members passed a new Parental Notification Policy Monday night.
School leaders created the policy to follow Florida’s new Parental Rights in Education law, which went into effect July 1.
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Action News Jax first told you about the notification policy in May.
Per the new Florida law, DCPS staff will have to notify a student’s parent or legal guardian by email if there is a change in the student’s mental, emotional or physical health or well-being.
There is one exception. School personnel are permitted to withhold such information from a parent if they believe disclosure would result in abuse, abandonment or neglect.
“If the student says that they believe they’re at risk, that has to be honored. No one is going to know that other than that student,” Duval County Public School Defenders organizer Jennifer Cowart said.
Other parents have continuously shown their support for the policy, saying they have a right to know what conversations their kids may be having.
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At Monday’s meeting, no one participated in public comment about the Parental Notification Policy, but several did back in May.
“When you create procedures that separate our children from parents, you will lose,” another parent said during public comment in May. “Please focus on academics instead of activism. Our community is begging you to do better.”
This change comes as the district makes other adjustments to previous educational material it once showed students.
DCPS has removed a 12-minute anti-bullying video with LGBTQ-related conversations.
“I am disappointed that that is taken down. I think that was a really vital piece of information,” Cowart said.
Action News Jax reached out to DCPS as to why.
A spokesperson told us:
“First, bullying under any circumstances is not tolerated in our schools. Any parent who believes their child is being bullied is asked to call the bullying prevention hotline at 904-390-2255 to initiate a bullying investigation. In response to your main questions, the video you referenced has been removed for legal review to ensure the content complies with recent state legislation.”
We also asked when or if it would come back or if it would be redone. DCPS did not answer those specific questions.
Action News Jax requested the 12-minute video to see what exactly it contained that may have caused it to be removed. We have not received it yet.
You can read the full policy below:
Parental Notification Proposal by ActionNewsJax on Scribd
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