Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
During the regular meeting of the Madison County District School Board on Monday, Nov. 3, the board was informed that North Florida Child Development (NFCD) had not vacated the space they had been using at Madison County Central School (MCCS). In a letter dated Tuesday, Oct. 7, Madison County School District Attorney Tom Reeves informed NFCD Chief Executive Officer Sharon Gaskin that “the Central School Property is owned by the District and NFCD has no written lease, MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) or other agreement with the District. Therefore NFCD has no right to remain on the Central School property. As the School Board has decided not to enter into an MOU for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the School Board is requesting that NFCD vacate the classrooms and the Central School property by no later than (Monday), Nov. 3.”
Since NFCD had not vacated Central School by that deadline, Reeves asked what the school board wanted him to do. “If you want to compel them to leave, the way to do that is to direct me to file an action in court,” said Reeves. “That would be an ejectment action. [I can] try to get a temporary injunction hearing as soon as I can and proceed that way.”
A number of parents spoke on the matter asking the school board to reconsider their decision not to enter into an MOU with NFCD. The board members did not express any desire to do so and added an item to the agenda in order to take a vote on the matter. The board members voted, 4-1, to have Reeves proceed with legal action. Newly chosen Board Chair Devin Thompson cast the dissenting vote.
Despite the School Board’s decision and possible legal action pending, Gaskin remained determined to stay at the Central School location. “Despite the School Board’s decision, NFCD will continue to serve our children and families at our Madison Center until otherwise notified,” Gaskin stated in a social media post.
The next regular meeting of the Madison County District School Board is scheduled to take place on Monday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the District Office, located at 210 NE Duval Ave., in Madison.