Four Democratic Candidates Compete for Duval County School Board District 4 Seat

Last updated: July 29, 2026

NewsWK — As the Duval County School Board prepares for significant changes, four Democratic candidates are vying for the District 4 seat, which encompasses many historically Black neighborhoods and schools in Jacksonville’s Northside. This election is particularly important as it follows the term limit of current board member Darryl Willie, who ran without opposition in the last election cycle.

The candidates—Alfreda Denson Butler, Rhodesia Butler, James Jacobs, and Gracie Bell Kearse-McCastler—bring varied backgrounds in education and community service to the race. They will face off in a competitive primary, with the top two candidates advancing to the general election if no one secures a majority vote.

District 4 has traditionally been represented by a Democratic member, and this election could influence the board’s current conservative majority. The candidates share a commitment to addressing pressing issues such as school closures, the renewal of a vital property tax, and the declining student population.

Alfreda Denson Butler, who has over 30 years of experience in the district as an educator, emphasizes the importance of community engagement and support for public schools. She is backed by several unions and advocates for equitable funding to retain teachers.

Rhodesia Butler, an area director for the Boys & Girls Club, aims to focus on teacher retention and showcasing the strengths of District 4 schools to attract families. She also has a strong educational background within the district.

James Jacobs, a dean of students at a local charter school, has previously attempted to secure a City Council seat and aims to be accountable and accessible to families in District 4. Gracie Bell Kearse-McCastler, a retired educator, is running as a write-in candidate and plans to advocate for student discipline and community involvement.

Key issues include the upcoming vote on a 1-mill property tax referendum that supports school funding and teacher salaries. Candidates agree on the necessity of renewing this tax to prevent further teacher turnover, particularly in schools with high minority populations.

Furthermore, the candidates are concerned about the impact of past school closures, advocating for transparency and community awareness in any future decisions. They recognize that many residents felt blindsided by previous school closures in the district.

As public schools face growing competition from private institutions due to state-funded vouchers, candidates also stress the need to promote the unique offerings of District 4 schools to encourage families to remain in the public system.

With early voting set to begin on August 7, the candidates are gearing up for a critical election that could shape the future of education in Duval County.