Duval County Public Schools in partnership with each of the Bargaining Unions will be sponsoring a two-day Optional Health Insurance Fair in an effort to assist our employees with finding alternative ways to shoulder the burden of health care costs.

During the two-day event, the health insurance vendors listed below will be onsite to provide information and quotes on individual dependent health insurance plans.

TAMPA, Fla. -- The state Board of Education has voted to allow Duval County's four failing schools to remain under district control for another year, rather than appointing a third party to manage them.

Several board members expressed reluctance and one said this was one of the most difficult decisions she has made. The vote was 5-1.

Chairperson Kathleen Shanahan expressed her displeasure with progress being made in the four schools, but ultimately voted to give the district a waiver and allow one more year.

Another board member, Roberto Martinez, said he personally wants to visit the four failing schools to see firsthand what is and is not being done.

Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals traveled to Tampa for the meeting.

When Duval Partners for Excellent Education, Inc. was started, the primary responsibility was to mobilize the entire city in supporting the four intervene schools and their feeder schools. Specifically, they were to expand the involvement of businesses and faith-based partners, university staff, non-profit and government wrap around services, as well as adding to the financial resources to attract and retain the best principals and teachers, extend learning time, and other important needs.