Tyrona Clark-Murray, a Jacksonville city councilmember who also works as an ESE site coach, has been pulled from classroom duty after an incident at Alfred I. duPont Middle School in which she is accused of kicking a 13-year-old student in a communications and social skills class. Duval County Public Schools says she has been reassigned to a position with no student contact while human resources looks into what happened. The student's family chose not to pursue criminal charges.
District action and allegations
According to Action News Jax, Clark-Murray told district police the student kicked her first and that she kicked him back in an effort to stop the behavior from escalating. She then reported the encounter herself to the school principal. The outlet reports that Duval County Public Schools confirmed Clark-Murray has been "temporarily reassigned to a role with no student contact pending the outcome of a human resources investigation." Sources told the station the student was left with bruises and scratches on his shin.
Who Clark-Murray is and what the CSS program covers
Clark-Murray is listed in the Duval County Public Schools staff directory as an ESE site coach at Alfred I. duPont Middle School. The City of Jacksonville identifies her as the District 9 councilmember.
The district's Communications and Social Skills (CSS) program, where the student is enrolled, provides specialized instruction for students with autism spectrum disorder and related developmental and communication needs, according to the district's program descriptions.
Local officials weigh in
Duval School Board member Melody Bolduc told Action News Jax that while the investigation needs to play out, the situation also underscores how often ESE staff are subjected to physical aggression while working with high-needs students.
On the city side, Councilmember Rory Diamond wrote on social media that "violence against a student is never acceptable." City Council President Kevin Carrico, according to the station, said he would hold off on any conclusions until he has more information and an official report in hand.
District context and recent probes
This latest case comes as Duval schools contend with several other personnel investigations and arrests involving district and charter employees this year, including the April arrest of a River City Science Academy teacher accused of grooming a student. News4Jax reported on that arrest, and additional local coverage has followed other recent staff-related probes in the district.
What comes next
The human resources review by Duval County Public Schools will determine whether Clark-Murray faces administrative discipline or other action. She declined to speak with reporters but did not challenge the basic account she provided to the station. City leaders say they intend to wait for the district's full report before considering whether any steps are needed that could affect her role on the council.
