Duval County School Board - February Meeting
Below are the highlights of the February 7, 2012 School Board meeting:
Board Recognizes Read It Forward Jax! Donor and Superintendent’s Leadership Academy Participants during Special Presentations
During the presentation portion of the monthly meeting of the Duval County School Board, Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals and Board members recognized the following
Read It Forward Jax! donor:
- Swamp Family Music for their $15,000 contribution to Read It Forward Jax! The donation will provide classroom libraries and several Duval County schools.
High School Students Recognized for Completing Leadership Training
The Board recognized high school students who completed the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy. The Academy is produced by the Duval County Council of PTAs to develop student leaders and advocates for public education.
In the fall, each high school principal is asked to submit names of up to five students who they believe would benefit from this training and represent their school. The training takes place in area high schools and the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership, one Saturday each month from October to January.
Overall, 59 students from 20 high schools completed the Academy this year, which is a total of almost 100 students over the last two years.
To view pictures from these presentations, visit the
DCPS' flickr photostream.
Faulty Sprinkler Causes Monthly Board Meeting to be Relocated
Due to a malfunctioning sprinkler head in the Cline Auditorium at Duval County Public Schools on Tuesday, February 7th, the regularly scheduled School Board meeting was relocated to the Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership. Due to the relocation of the meeting, the meeting was not aired live on Comcast channel 99 or via webcast on Duval County Public Schools’ website. The meeting was videotaped, and copies will be provided pursuant to public records requests.
Board Executes Challenge Day Contract
The district will provide Challenge Day to 5,200 students and 1,200 adults over 52 participation days. The Chartrand Foundation has awarded the district with a $25,000 grant to support the program, which provides experiential workshops on diversity, truth and self-expression. The program also helps students identify barriers they face academically and it creates an international forum for expression, skill-building and reasonable decision making.
Board Votes to Continue Food Services Contract
The Board renewed its contract with Delaware-based Compass Group USA for dining services for the 2012-13 school year. The company will provide nutritionally balanced meals, snacks and a la carte food items to students and staff as required by DCPS, Florida Department of Education, United States Department of Agriculture and local regulatory agencies.
Board Approves Wireless Capability in Middle and High Schools
The district will contract with W.W. Gay Fire & Integrated Systems to put wireless technology in 12 middle and high schools. The execution of this contract increases the percentage of students having access to technology in school.
Board Votes to Renew Custodial Contract
The board renewed its contract with GCA Services Group for Custodial Services Management for the 2012-13 school year. The contract with the company is currently in its second renewal term.
Board Approves Purchase of Duval County School Police Dispatch System
The board approved the upgrade of critical communications equipment to provide the DCPS School Police will have the capability to respond to daily security and safety requests along with all of Jacksonville/Duval County first responders in the event of a major emergency.
Duval County Public Schools operates 177 schools and serves approximately 125,000 students. The school district is committed to providing high quality educational opportunities that will inspire all students to acquire and use the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a global economy and culturally diverse world.
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