Donovan Bradley, Rhodesia Butler and Lindsey Denmark will join the Duval County School Board after winning their respective district elections.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Three new members are set to join the Duval County School Board after Tuesday’s election, ushering in new leadership as the district confronts budget pressures, declining enrollment and continued debate over school closures.
Voters selected new representatives in Districts 2, 4 and 6. Donovan Bradley, Rhodesia Butler and Lindsey Denmark are expected to take the oath of office on Nov. 17.
Bradley, 26, will represent District 2, where he was born and raised. The former Duval County Public Schools student said his upbringing and his experience as the son of a longtime educator helped inspire his campaign.
“I think I’m one of the youngest school board members elected in Duval County, which is a huge honor,” Bradley said.
Bradley is a policy analyst for the local nonprofit Restoration of America. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives, where he developed experience in public policy and worked with lawmakers from both parties.
“There were things that I lived through that I’d like to see changed, and now I’m in a position to be able to do that,” Bradley said.
Bradley describes himself as a Christian conservative and has received support from the Republican Party of Duval County as well as a majority of current school board members. He said he intends to take a collaborative approach to the board’s work.
His priorities include expanding career and technical education, strengthening links between the classroom and future careers, supporting teachers and ensuring parents have a voice in their children’s education.
“I’d like to see us create stronger classroom-to-career pipelines for students, so expanding career and technical education,” he said.
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He also stressed the need to support educators and make sure every student can access a high-quality education.
“I believe every parent should have a voice and be respected in that. And then I believe every teacher in our public schools should have the support and the resources they need to be effective at their job,” Bradley said.
Bradley will serve alongside two other newly elected board members.
Rhodesia Butler, the District 4 representative-elect, brings more than two decades of experience in education and youth advocacy.
Lindsey Denmark, who won the District 6 race, works as a realtor and children’s ministry director. Her stated priorities include school safety, parental rights and early literacy.
The incoming members will take office as Duval County Public Schools continues addressing budget and enrollment challenges, decisions about school closures and a planned relocation of its headquarters.
Bradley said he plans to draw on his public policy experience to work with fellow board members and help advance changes across the district.
All three new members are expected to be sworn in Nov. 17.
First Coast News plans to interview Butler and Denmark before they officially begin their terms.