lit a candle 13h agoGraduated Raines two years behind him, moved to Texas in '98 and never went back much. My cousin called Monday night to tell me, said the board announced it right there at the meeting. First B grade that school ever got under him, 2024. That's the one fact I keep coming back to.
Their story
Vincent R. Hall was an American educator who spent nearly three decades with Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida, and from 2013 led William M. Raines High School, the school from which he had graduated in 1990. Under his leadership Raines earned its first ever B grade from the…
Vincent R. Hall was an American educator who spent nearly three decades with Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida, and from 2013 led William M. Raines High School, the school from which he had graduated in 1990. Under his leadership Raines earned its first ever B grade from the state, and he was named Duval County Public Schools Principal of the Year for 2024-2025. He died on 9 November 2026.
Hall was a proud product of Raines, the historically Black high school on Jacksonville's Northwest side, and a member of its class of 1990. On the school's website he wrote that he was honoured to return to the school that gave him so much and to help lead the next generation of Vikings toward excellence. After joining the district he worked his way up through its schools before returning to his alma mater as principal, where he spent the last 13 years of his career.
At Raines he focused on academic progress while keeping the school's traditions in athletics, the arts and community life at the centre of its identity. In 2024 Raines achieved its first B grade from the Florida Department of Education, the result the Raines National Alumni Association cited when he was named the district's Principal of the Year. He and the Raines football team were also honoured by the Jacksonville City Council. In his school profile he wrote that the Vikings continued to make strides in academic achievement, athletics, the arts, leadership and community engagement, and credited students, staff, families, alumni and community partners.
Duval County Public Schools confirmed his death on the evening of Monday, 9 November 2026, and it was announced during that night's school board meeting. Regional Superintendent Timothy Simmons told families that Hall had been a champion for our students and a deeply valued member of our Viking family. Board member Darryl Willie said the district had lost somebody who brought folks together all the time. The cause of death was not released, and counsellors and social workers were placed at Raines the following day.
Students, alumni and colleagues shared memories of how he had changed their lives, remembering him as a mentor, an advocate and a steady leader who treated Raines as far more than a job. For a community that prizes the motto once a Viking, always a Viking, he was a graduate who came home and helped the school rise.
Biography adapted from Duval County Public Schools statement; Action News Jax; First Coast News; News4Jax; Jacksonville Today; Florida Times-Union.
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1by People Forever
Same class of 1990 crowd still talks about him. Good man.