Duval County Public Schools held a press conference today to announce that the funds have been raised to save tennis, golf and cross-country for the 2011-12 school year. Thanks to the efforts of 1st Place Sports Running Club, First Coast Tennis Foundation and North Florida Junior Golf, $43,724 was raised for each sport to keep them in Duval County public schools. In addition, Mayor Brown announced that $236,250 was raised to save middle school football as a result of contributions from private organizations, including the Jacksonville Sharks.

The Jacksonville Country Day School Board of Trustees and the Head of School, Terry Bartow, are proud to announce the upcoming Groundbreaking Celebration for a new multipurpose building: the Smith Center, named in honor of Dennis M. Smith, Jr., M.D., his wife Julie, and their daughter Morgan. The Groundbreaking Celebration will be held on August 26, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. in the Geraldine A. Kelly Fine Arts Center on the Jacksonville Country Day School campus.

Jacksonville Country Day School places a strong emphasis on healthy minds and bodies. For over 50 years, the school has invested in continuous student academic, emotional and social development. These enhanced facilities will further enrich the lives of its students.

Mayor Alvin Brown issued an executive order naming the first Education Commissioner for the City of Jacksonville.

The office is designed to serve as a bridge between City Hall and Duval County Public Schools with a mission to increase graduation rates and better prepare Jacksonville’s youths for the 21st Century job market. The office will have no executive powers over the school system but will serve a crucial supportive function to raise private money and rally community support at a time the schools are facing cutbacks.