Cuppa Jax - Dr. Christopher Bernier, DCPS Superintendent

Cost $15 -- Breakfast provided by The Fresh Fork

Wednesday, Oct. 16

7:30 - 8:30 am **PLEASE NOTE EARLIER START TIME**

Riverplace Tower Skyline Room

Dr. Christopher Bernier was sworn in as Duval County Public Schools Superintendent on July 1, 2024. With nearly 128,000 students and 11,000+ employees, Dr. Bernier is leading the sixth largest school district in Florida and 18th largest in the United States.

His priority as Superintendent is to lead with a student-centered philosophy and ensure that the district’s strategic plan outcomes will meet the academic and social emotional needs of our students and drive the economic engine of our community. Dr. Bernier plans to prioritize the district’s budget to ensure that the district is fiscally responsible and good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Dr. Bernier’s leadership is guided by his core values:

• Belief in Students
• Excellence
• Integrity
• High Expectations
• Accountability
• Professionalism

Prior to Duval County, Dr. Bernier served as the Superintendent of Schools for the School District of Lee County. There he supported over 100,000 students and 13,000+ employees. Lee County was the ninth largest school district in Florida and 32nd largest in the United States. Under Dr Bernier’s leadership, Lee County increased graduation rates, improved student achievement and removed all schools from state oversite; all while dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Dr. Bernier led his team in Lee County back from the devasting $350 million in school storm damage and reopened schools within 17 days following the storm.

During his tenure, Lee County was also recognized as the Cambridge Large School District of the Year for inclusive enrollment practices and student achievement. Lee was also recognized by the Carnegie Institute Learning Leadership Network and named as one of nine school districts in the nation to participate in problem of practice and solutions to transform student outcomes. Dr Bernier was also named the Servant Leader of the Year by the Lee County Chamber for 2024.

Prior to Lee County, Dr. Bernier served as the Chief of Staff for the Clark County School District (CCSD) in Las Vegas, Nevada, the fifth largest school district in the country. For three years, he helped to execute the student-centered vision of the Clark County School District for the over 300,000 students and 42,000 employees, investing an annual budget in excess of $5 billion. As an Executive Cabinet leader, Dr. Bernier led many projects, including a few below:

• Emergency Operations and COVID Response Commander
• Lead Member of the District’s Negotiation Team
• Chairman and Digital One to One Project Lead
• Chief Facilitator of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee
• Chairman of the Community and School Safety Committee

Before being recruited to Las Vegas, Dr. Bernier served in Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) from 1987 until 2019. He was a devoted classroom teacher; Assistant Principal; Principal at middle, high and virtual schools; Director of Professional Development and Associate Superintendent. His final promotion with OCPS resulted in Dr. Bernier leading the Office of School Choice, where he was responsible for all choice options, including Alternative Education, Charter Schools, Orange County Virtual School, K-12 Magnet Programs, School Age Services, Student Enrollment, Teen Parent Program and Home Education. These responsibilities supported the vision and mission of OCPS and influenced the trajectory for more than 200,000 students, 25,000 team members and a budget in excess of $2.2 billion.

Dr. Bernier has received numerous recognitions for his work, including being named Florida Principal for the Year by The Florida PTA. Throughout his career, he has remained a devoted student advocate and has fostered, nurtured, and maintained safe and positive learning environments wherever he has the opportunity to serve. Dr. Bernier has a proven capacity for developing and implementing equitable educational improvement efforts, advancing access for all, and raising student achievement through shared leadership with school leaders, educators, students and community members.

Dr. Bernier earned his undergraduate degree in History and Education from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern and his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida.

We meet at Riverplace Tower, also known as the Ameris Bank building. This is a walkable location along the Southbank Riverwalk and also convenient to the First Coast Flyer and the Skyway Riverplace Station.

There is limited free street parking, and paid parking is also available in a neighboring surface lot and garage.

Entering from the Riverwalk: take the stairs or elevator next to Village Bread Company up to the Skyline Room.

Entering from Riverplace Blvd: take the escalators and walk toward the back of the building, behind the Ameris Bank offices.

Entering from the garage: make a right at the first bank of elevators and another right into the hallway between the Ameris Bank offices.

Entering from the driveway between Riverplace Tower and the Doubletree: Walk down the hallway to the left, and make another left toward Fresh Fork. Take the elevator or stairs near Fresh Fork to the meeting space.

Cuppa Jax holds gatherings for neighborhood and community leaders that are open to everyone in Jacksonville. Join us on Wednesday mornings in the Skyline Room in the Riverplace Tower on the Southbank to discuss important issues facing our city.

Scheduled speakers will talk for 10-15 minutes. The rest of the time is spent with Q&A and discussion of relevant issues brought up by participants. We also encourage attendees to make community announcements at the beginning of the program.

No membership fee. Unlike many other discussion forums in Jacksonville, there is no membership fee to attend or participate in Cuppa Jax. We do ask attendees to cover the cost of coffee and breakfast provided by Fresh Fork. If you cannot attend due to the cost of the event, please email [email protected] and we will be glad to cover your ticket.

Topical and timely. We are seeking local thought leaders who can discuss and educate about important community issues to speak at future dates. We don’t accept offers to speak about or pitch organizations. Cuppa Jax is non-partisan, and does not endorse candidates or issues. An offer to speak does not constitute an endorsement. It is simply an opportunity for the community to have a meaningful discussion.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Skyline Room, Riverplace Tower, 1301 Riverplace Boulevard, Jacksonville, United States