District Recommends Pausing Eastside School Consolidation
Duval County staff propose delaying the Long Branch and R. L. Brown merger through August 2028 after community concerns.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Administration
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Duval County Public Schools staff recommended pausing school closures and consolidations in Jacksonville's Eastside through August 2028, which would delay the planned merger of Long Branch Elementary School and R. L. Brown Gifted and Talented Academy. The recommendation was presented at a community meeting on Thursday, where no final decision was reached.
Why it matters
The proposal would give families and the Jacksonville community more time to weigh in on a consolidation first approved by the Duval County School Board in December 2025. Parents say major questions about enrollment, transportation and resources remain unresolved for the Eastside.
The recommended pause would extend the timeline for the Long Branch and R. L. Brown consolidation through August 2028, after the School Board's December 2025 approval. Enrollment, transportation and resource questions raised by parents have not been resolved.
The players
Duval County School Board
The elected body that governs Duval County Public Schools and approved the original plan to combine Long Branch and R. L. Brown Elementary in December 2025.
Reginald Blount
A Duval County School Board member representing District 5, who said Jacksonville's growth was one reason for reassessing the consolidation.
The details
District officials presented the recommendation at a community meeting on Thursday, calling for a pause on closures and consolidations in the Eastside. School Board Member Reginald Blount, who represents District 5, said Jacksonville's ongoing growth was one reason leaders wanted to reassess the proposal.
Timeline
2017: Long Branch Elementary began serving Jacksonville's historic Eastside.
December 2025: The Duval County School Board approved combining Long Branch with R. L. Brown Elementary.
2027: Consolidation had been pushed to this year to allow more community conversations.
Thursday: District staff presented the recommendation to the community.
Monday: The School Board is scheduled to vote on the recommendation.
Season Trajectory
The pause places the Eastside consolidation on a longer timeline than the December 2025 board approval contemplated. It follows an earlier decision to push the merger to 2027 for community conversations.
Families with students at Long Branch Elementary or R. L. Brown should track Monday's School Board vote, which determines whether the consolidation timeline changes. Parents can raise questions about enrollment, transportation and resources before a final decision is made.
The takeaway
Community input is shaping the timing of this consolidation, giving families more time to press for answers on enrollment, transportation and resources. Residents who want to influence the outcome can attend upcoming School Board sessions.
What happens next
The Duval County School Board is scheduled to vote on the recommendation Monday.
Further reading
Explore more Administration coverage for context on school district decisions in Jacksonville.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Internewscast Journal.
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