DCPS hires third-party law firm to review grand jury investigation findings

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Public Schools is working to ensure safety among its students and campuses. On Monday night, the school board approved a resolution to hire a third-party law firm to review the findings of a grand jury investigation, where thousands of criminal incidents were not reported to the state.

STORY: Last chance to register to vote in Florida: Here’s what you need to know

The school board says the findings of the report came after Gov. Ron DeSantis petitioned the Florida Supreme Court in Feb. 2019 to empanel a grand jury to investigate if school districts across the state were in compliance of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

The grand jury was empaneled and school board leaders say the school district did not know what was going on with the grand jury’s investigation until the report was unsealed and made public a few months ago.

“So we can consider hiring outside counsel to come in and just review those items,” said Dr. Kelly Coker, vice-chairman and school board member for District 1. “Let us know as a board things we haven’t done that we need to do and also review the letter from safe schools make sure that everything coached in moving forward.”

The law firm is expected to give its findings and recommendations to the school board no later than Nov. 14.

©2022 Cox Media Group