COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The State Education Department says it won't take over Allendale County schools again, despite continuing problems in the county.

The state operated Allendale County schools from 1999 to 2007.

State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said Wednesday the state will only take over school districts as a last resort.

The State newspaper of Columbia reported two failing schools were called before the state Board of Education Wednesday. Fairfax Elementary in Allendale and Mount Pleasant Middle in Lee County avoided state takeover.

Rex says there were extenuating circumstances that prompted the decision to give the schools another chance. But Rex says the state could still take over the schools if they don't improve.

Rex says leaders at Fairfax Elementary have left or been fired.

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