Onyx Bugett | TalkLife News
November 4, 2026 · Morning report · Results remain unofficial pending certification
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JACKSONVILLE — Duval County voters decisively approved continuing the school district’s one-mill property-tax levy on November 3, renewing a funding stream used for employee compensation and student programs while choosing three new School Board members.
Florida Politics reported approximately 76% support for the renewal. Jacksonville Today’s election-night account also described a wide margin, reporting about three-quarters in favor. Those figures describe unofficial returns, rather than certified final totals.
What the renewal pays for
The measure continues an existing assessment. The district’s published ballot language specifies a four-year period beginning July 1, 2027, and ending June 30, 2031. It identifies essential operating expenses, including compensation for teachers, security and support staff, academic programs, arts, athletics and student activities.
The language also provides for proportionate sharing with charter schools and annual reporting on the use of the money. Approval authorizes that continuation; decisions about individual budgets and spending still need to be followed through the district’s public financial reporting.
Jacksonville Today reported that the levy generates roughly $125 million annually. Its account estimated an average homeowner’s cost at about $300 a year and the average teacher’s salary supplement at nearly $9,000. Those are reported averages, not a calculation of any individual homeowner’s bill or employee’s compensation.
Three seats change hands
Donovan Bradley won the District 2 runoff against Donna Westrich; Rhodesia “Rho” Butler defeated James “Coach” Jacobs in District 4; and Lindsey Denmark defeated Clarence “CJ” James in District 6, according to the local election reporting. Each contest involved an open seat.
Jacksonville Today reported Bradley and Denmark at approximately 53% in their races and described Butler’s contest as particularly close. Because returns can be updated before certification, the broad outcome and the exact final percentages should be treated separately.
Superintendent Chris Bernier welcomed the renewal in an election-night statement, according to both outlets. For families and employees, the next practical questions concern how the continued funding appears in district budgets, how compensation is allocated and what the required annual reports show. The vote supplies a funding decision; it does not by itself establish the outcome of every program supported by the levy.