JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dozens of Jacksonville high school students packed City Hall Tuesday, urging city council members to support a resolution opposing state education cuts that threaten programs like Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual enrollment.

Sparked by Florida House Bill 5101 and Senate Bill 2510, the rally drew students from Fletcher High School, Wolfson High School, and River City Science Academy. The bills, under review in Tallahassee, propose reallocating $1.2 billion in education funds, potentially forcing students to pay hundreds of dollars for AP and IB exams and cutting resources for advanced programs.

“These programs allow students to go to college and have 1 to 2 years of their education already complete, at no cost,” said Jarrett Kelly, an 11th grader at Wolfson High School. “That’s about $40,000 if they stay in Florida. And that’s not something that people can afford.”

Kelly, who has earned 15 college credits through AP courses, joined peers in pushing for a council resolution to urge state leaders to preserve funding. But the council’s failure to advance the resolution as an emergency measure left students feeling unheard.

The council’s decision not to vote on the resolution drew criticism from students. Tristan Rodriguez, a Fletcher High School junior with over 20 college credits through the AICE, called it betrayal. 

“It was a betrayal of their basic responsibilities to their young citizens, a betrayal of everything the council was meant to stand for,” Rodriguez said. “Shame. One word. Shame.”

Students highlighted the transformative impact of AP, IB, dual enrollment, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Kai Miller, a Fletcher junior, credited his dual enrollment courses through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and CTE certifications for preparing him for an engineering career.

“These programs give everyone these opportunities,” Miller said, “I’m disgusted that council members told us we shouldn’t be worried about our future.”

Roscoe Wright, an AICE and AP scholar at Fletcher, said the programs have saved his family tens of thousands in tuition. Anthony Safar, an 11th grader at River City Science Academy, is set to graduate with an associate’s degree.

“We are only young for so long,” Safar said, “By silencing our voices, they have created greater problems for themselves.”

Max Palmer, a ninth grader at Fletcher, emphasized the programs’ role in shaping future leaders. “These programs really matter to a lot of students,” he said. “They will be the people who are going to help strengthen our country.”

“What an embarrassment we look like to these young people who showed up tonight,” said Jimmy Peluso, City Councilmember.

“This is not our lane,” said Rory Diamond, City Councilmember, “This is not our job we should not be doing this. Just vote no and we can move on.”

“You guys have nothing to worry about,” said Kevin Carrico, City Councilmember, “Your IB programs, your CTE programs, all the things you’re here to advocate for will be just fine.” 

Council member Rahman Johnson (District 14), who voted to support the resolution, explained the council’s divide. “My colleagues didn’t believe it rose to the level of an emergency,” Johnson said. “It could still run the regular cycle, but it won’t make it to the legislature in time.”

Johnson, a former AP student himself, was moved by the students’ passion. “I was involved, but I don’t think I was as involved and passionate as these young kids,” he said. “These are high school students who are brilliant… That’s the future of America and I could not be more proud.”

He encouraged the students to continue their advocacy through emails, calls, and social media, emphasizing that their fight extends beyond the council vote. “They were hurt, they weren’t defeated,” Johnson said. “They understood that this is a battle… but our goal is to win the war.”

Kaden Young, a Fletcher junior who organized the student meetup and inspired council member Matt Carlucci to write the resolution, vowed to keep pushing forward.

“This lights a fire under every single one of us,” Young said. “People that didn’t want to speak came up to me and said they are speaking at the next meeting. We are going to drown out that noise.”

Duval County Public Schools, facing potential funding losses, has echoed the students’ concerns, warning of impacts on staffing and opportunities. The bills, which also propose easing teacher certification rules and limiting extracurricular fees, remain under review with no final vote scheduled.

As the legislative session nears its close, these young voices are proving they won’t be silenced, determined to fight for their education and their peers’ futures.