Duval County School Board Criticized for ‘Turning Point’ Shirt Controversy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Public outrage followed after several Duval County School Board members wore pink shirts with the phrase ‘This is the turning point’ during Tuesday night’s school board meeting.

Turning Point USA is the conservative group founded by the late political commentator Charlie Kirk.

Tuesday night’s school board meeting erupted when community members noticed School Board Chair Charlotte Joyce, April Carney, Melody Bolduc and Tony Ricardo in “This is the Turning Point” shirts while sitting on the dais.

“The shirts on you right now are inappropriate and should not be allowed to be on public television as our president of our school board,” said Kris Kiernan during the meeting.

The shirts were interpreted by many in the audience as a political message, sparking backlash.

“She’s sitting up here and representing all of the school board, wearing a shirt that’s dedicated to somebody that is causing a lot more divisiveness in his passing than he did when he was alive,” said Kiernan.

In a phone interview Wednesday, School Board Chair Charlotte Joyce told First Coast News that she bought the pink shirts for herself and any other board member who wanted one to remember Charlie Kirk, after watching his memorial.

“It was not an official Turning Point t-shirt, but my heart was there,” said Joyce. “I wanted to do something to remember this man who lost his life.” 

Joyce also said she chose pink to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“When we talk about cancer, we want this to be the Turning Point,” she said Tuesday night.

“To see some of you co-opting pink for breast cancer awareness with highly divisive political shirts is a slap in the face to everyone,” said Katie Hathaway during Tuesday night’s meeting. 

Near the end of the meeting, Joyce and Vice Chair April Carney explained why they wore the shirts and their support for Kirk.

“That man was a husband, he was a son, he was a brother, he was a father of two children,” said Carney.

Carney was interrupted by a parent in the crowd who disagreed with her statements and stance on Kirk, resulting in Joyce having to restore order in the chamber. 

This shirt controversy comes as the district and state investigate Duval County teacher Hope McMath over social media comments about Kirk, leaving concerned parents calling out what they say is a double standard: acknowledging McMath’s removal for her speech, while board members are able to wear “controversial” shirts.

“I just feel like if anyone’s going to be divisive on this school board, they should be removed,” said Kiernan. 

The school district has not issued any statement on the shirts worn by board members, a DCPS spokesperson informed us that: “Questions regarding School Board member attire are best directed to Board Chair Joyce.”

As for Hope McMath, the district is continuing to investigate the complaints against her. Her attorney told First Coast News Wednesday night, “We have received no complaint or response to my office’s requests from either the Florida Department of Education or Duval County Public Schools.”