[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6500485,"mediaKeyId","5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd","parentId",5556176,"title","Santa Rosa celebrates 14 Florida PBIS model schools, one earns statewide platinum status","audioSeconds",597,"startMs",1659000,"endMs",2256000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd&start=1659&end=2256","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd/thumbnail_1659000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6500485/Florida/Santa-Rosa-celebrates-14-Florida-PBIS-model-schools-one-earns-statewide-platinum-status","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500485-6ddc911a85f76e798eaf94d47dad4b0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603250&Signature=OHoGOrkteq8cz0SO0ygoxv1F6h7j3GmIbN4uJG0ISNj9OEGWnj-TsZwqwoAIjGrSx3U9UriS3m9fIl75uPARBqQvuGxFJpNW-Q8rgfZHrYQPf3ltN-5E7EWjZdJsi4PXTSDqXNxV4Y31U9sRizHMd8kgFy0aPOEel5q1bXCpLTHLIT2IjB5kP84d~3Qu~GqcNxS9AJZGmNxtgaaBx02uoxJwVYpmkwUam2UMRo3N54SNxbs3M-lQ5dAndkf6qndRu-x1i3mu9rWU5OFMcCpUJng-rFzhiZiaJ896stzsRnZ9GVl6XQpyOyTomQDPcW5SXnMSlrHilbPuPRVq5lRLWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Santa Rosa County District Schools","date","2025-08-07T00:00:00Z","article","Santa Rosa County School District staff used an Aug. 7 board meeting presentation to recognize schools that earned model status through the Florida PBIS Project. Amanda Failing and Rebecca Schmuck, district PBIS coordinators, said 23 district schools participate in Florida PBIS alignment and 14 of those were awarded model-school designations this cycle.

Nut graf: The awards reflect schools’ submission of data, artifacts and self-ratings aligned with the Florida PBIS Project. The district emphasized that PBIS implementation aims to improve student behavior, attendance and school climate — which research shows can support academic outcomes.

Rebecca Schmuck explained the tiers of designation — bronze, silver, gold and platinum — and said one Santa Rosa school, Chemekla Elementary, was among the 16 platinum schools in Florida. Schmuck said PBIS teams submit evidence yearly and must attend regular training; the district provides additional funding to recognized schools to support ongoing practices.

District staff highlighted examples of schools and their outcomes, such as Jay Elementary’s recommitment to PBIS in 2022 and subsequent reductions in discipline referrals and an increase in attendance to 94 percent, and Chemekla’s long-term PBIS work beginning in 2006 and its focus on school climate. Superintendent Barber and board members congratulated the schools.

Ending: The district said it will continue PBIS training cycles and provide recognition funds to model schools and encouraged board members and the public to look for award banners displayed at participating campuses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board of Santa Rosa County - August 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff recognized 14 schools for Florida PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) model-school designations; Chemekla Elementary earned platinum status — one of 16 in Florida.","taxTitle","Santa Rosa, School Districts, Florida","taxId",15605,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6500489,"Board approves routine minutes, construction design phases, personnel appointments and change orders — votes at a glance",180,7499000,7679000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd&start=7499&end=7679","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd/thumbnail_7499000.jpg","/articles/6500489/Florida/Board-approves-routine-minutes-construction-design-phases-personnel-appointments-and-change-orders-votes-at-a-glance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500489-abc12c175b397458b181739d9d933111/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603250&Signature=BB4I4Jq~yXo7Rh-Vtm9kAJp2UIZ-eNf~~-tZKm6ctNDKq5MoixAtAbF6R2RAlOky60pabgeIvXBv9zaGtmQZGan12Z991D37T11yQiIKCeou5mtQpWa8mAwEeibcaLw7XUYuEgyKo2LpyHTV2sJ8nzp4TyftWWnM6~9w-yo0lAbUNgrsCsG5fcBJCtxg5n~9F-M5fhTaEXZDJXfJF7jw8VNWc7mIG-Ss4Q3SM-2N9llhxFTW1leyQgCr6ldYr0XijiZNDdLTrD2fyAGvUseZ31xI6~I8iLlxbIY-Vvrbl04P78a8BN1Sr8qsIFFX128JssUHOrg1MGtwGz7AEyHTcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Rosa County School Board voted unanimously on a series of routine administrative and construction items during its Aug. 7 meeting. Most motions carried by voice vote with no roll-call tallies recorded.

Key outcomes at a glance:

- Minutes: The board approved workshop and meeting minutes from July 22 and July 29 (motions carried unanimously).

- Construction/design approvals: The board approved phase-1 design authorization for Laughlin Technical College Building 2 energy upgrades and for Bagdad Elementary Building 7 energy upgrades (both motions carried unanimously on voice votes during the meeting).

- Change order: A requested change order to relocate a hot-water supply and return away from new electrical equipment at Laughlin Technical College Building 1 — $4,122.65 — was approved unanimously.

- Owner-directed purchases and ODP items: The board approved owner-directed purchase items presented by facilities staff (unanimous).

- Personnel: The board appointed Bobby Lueder as interim assistant principal at Gulf Breeze Elementary, effective Aug. 8, 2025 (motion approved unanimously). Several administrative-leave and disciplinary recommendations were presented; one disciplinary case (#0208072025) was noted for recommendation of termination effective Aug. 8, 2025, and motions regarding administrative leave and other personnel actions were taken as reflected in the minutes.

- Miscellaneous: The board approved school calendars, band schedule, fall sports schedules, and a memorandum of understanding with the Council on Aging West Florida; all carried on unanimous voice votes.

Nut graf: The actions were routine procedural and project-management votes; the board reserved non-routine debate for other agenda items and public comment. Several items included follow-up inspections or phase-2 submissions to return to the board for future approval.

Ending: Staff said several construction projects remain under active construction and will return with progress reports or phase-2 approvals as work proceeds.","The Santa Rosa County School Board unanimously approved meeting minutes, construction phase-1 designs for Laughlin Technical College and Bagdad Elementary, a Laughlin change order, owner-direct purchases, an interim assistant principal appointment, and other routine administrative items on Aug. 7.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6500494,"District recommends banning on-campus fireworks after risk review; boosters and parents push for alternatives",874,7393000,8267000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd&start=7393&end=8267","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd/thumbnail_7393000.jpg","/articles/6500494/Florida/District-recommends-banning-on-campus-fireworks-after-risk-review-boosters-and-parents-push-for-alternatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500494-0beb2cf6ad5421e99a0f5d3c2280825d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603250&Signature=hTGbeY2-Vu5EINpm07Y3DvETMJU8RBH~SEpTLIF5xUTtxtRIXb6BKOMG0TH-HpTTgJfhKck0POALo6Wn0S7mVJmhkjySFbMOm9XRX3Wl3mR1WGyoxlmxKVh2x9d1pxagrh711UWVOlHLuMyzdOi9p1jRjLV9K6Y8SgqF13tED78DrXCPC7o5jUH44Ck-FHJvjXcvr2nni394BvO-vRsHWyd6GYgY86-F27JlMzy8Uz7bJpcCjmFHnnBkSbnmzc2sq67iksfENkNHaZSbO3iWZsrgVTtC3Ffp1ev8R52GxE~R728XNpRZPmRVeL62d~IWHq8DseL0HwXngnZ7-SBQsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District risk management staff recommended prohibiting pyrotechnic displays at district events, citing liability exposures, National Fire Protection Association guidance and concerns from local fire officials and the Florida School Boards Insurance Trust.

Risk manager Timmons told the board the change followed months of review with fire life-safety staff and insurance-trust representatives and pointed to NFPA 1123 guidance and setbacks that many campuses cannot meet. She said local fire districts provide costly standby resources for professional displays and noted vendors and booster groups typically contract directly for those displays without formal district oversight. “This decision was an objective one regarding risk and liability exposure,” Timmons said.

Nut graf: The recommendation to prohibit fireworks on school property drew immediate pushback from community members who emphasized the role of pregame fireworks in school traditions, student morale and hospitality for visiting teams. Board members asked whether fireworks could occur off campus, funded and run entirely by third parties, and how the district might help preserve traditions while mitigating risk.

Board discussion and public comment focused on practical options. Risk staff said fireworks off district property — for example on adjacent privately owned lots — and without use of school funds would not be subject to district prohibition, and that booster-funded off-site displays were a possible workaround. Coach and longtime volunteer Steven Gregory and vendor speakers urged the district to seek compromise and to consult with local pyrotechnic providers to develop controlled, insured solutions that meet NFPA and local-fire requirements.

Several board members said they understood both the liability concerns and the community impact. Superintendent Karen Barber said the district seeks solutions that protect students and the district’s insurance pool while preserving as many traditions as possible.

Ending: Risk staff offered to meet with booster groups and vendors after the meeting to explore options — scheduling, off-site displays, or contracting processes — and the board said it would consider the practical feedback before adopting any written policy change.","Santa Rosa County School District staff recommended prohibiting fireworks at school events after consulting fire officials and the Florida School Boards Insurance Trust; board members and community speakers urged finding workable solutions to preserve pregame traditions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6500497,"Parents demand answers after arrest of former Gulf Breeze student; superintendent details limited district role",7013,2505000,9518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd&start=2505&end=9518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd/thumbnail_2505000.jpg","/articles/6500497/Florida/Parents-demand-answers-after-arrest-of-former-Gulf-Breeze-student-superintendent-details-limited-district-role","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500497-8bd8c5754af9e22efc45fe3d095de598/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603250&Signature=LddycyObwltpI2Q~ff0t~EePZGCMJUzMKG2hLpxZU34-Q5w~5lkb1Bxss8VgDXTYlwhGfBpQ0uQvfFjqDlHsxf5JNCN54eOHLv-3VtqtRspWSDpyMT6jyZ-6qPIE6vHUfmEQKWoxWTxVetzW8QYLtc-nZ51ldvUZOqdZGTcoFVIsOYLeYY0z8S8EgQ5xZHr739UCfBVPA52EjXyMUiurav~vSq8d0Wsbkil1cRkx5Af6Aa11jbh5lu17HzvFtZzbtV6EuKP1AMrGiSbozEfnZ-uupihmk4QUM6lr8mSRV-SYPXDIcK4GKMaTGSEkArUPdpE1Qq7uAcEj~WKWCSdeXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Karen Barber told the Santa Rosa County School Board on Aug. 7 that district administrators learned of an arrest involving a former Gulf Breeze High School student on Aug. 1 and immediately opened an internal review, and that the district will cooperate with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office.

Barber said district administration was notified only that law enforcement planned to interview the student on campus; beyond that initial contact “the district was not kept apprised of any additional information.” After the arrest on Aug. 1, Barber said, the district “initiated immediately an official investigation of the circumstances to determine what actions are necessary.” Because both law enforcement and the district investigation remain open, Barber said she could not provide additional detail but had scheduled office hours for parents to meet with her.

Nut graf: The superintendent's comments prompted multiple public commenters to press for a broader review and for accountability. Parents and community members said the district's response timeline and internal handling left them with unanswered questions and damaged trust.

Public commenters described knowing or suspecting the student was under investigation before the arrest and said they expected the district to notify families sooner or to restrict the student's access to elementary campuses once law enforcement involvement was known. Laura Dane, a Gulf Breeze parent, said investigators should look into which district employees knew about the investigation and whether any decisions prioritized the student’s experience over campus safety. “I believe she prioritized her son's experience and her own reputation over the safety of our children,” Dane said referring to a named staff member in public comments.

Other speakers pressed for greater transparency and recommended that the district refer allegations promptly to law enforcement and external authorities rather than rely on internal-only reviews. “When I was in high school in 1978, we had an aggressive teacher who was allowed to stay on campus but could no longer go in the locker room,” said public commenter Jerry Cooley, urging immediate external reporting in similar modern cases.

Barber said the district is adding security measures at campuses, including more staff at entry points and continued use of single-point-of-entry protocols. She also said she would meet individually with parents during scheduled office hours to help rebuild trust.

Ending: Board members acknowledged parents’ anger and asked for patience while law enforcement and the district complete investigations. Several board members said they will review the district’s communication processes for incidents involving law enforcement notifications.","Superintendent Karen Barber told the Santa Rosa County School Board the district learned of an arrest on Aug. 1 and opened an internal investigation; parents and public commenters pressed the board for transparency and broader inquiries into who knew earlier about the case.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6500501,"Coastal Connections Academy presents turnaround plan after earning F grade",3122,4353000,7475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd&start=4353&end=7475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556176-ad1f09efabc373ecccfc4362a96298fd/thumbnail_4353000.jpg","/articles/6500501/Florida/Coastal-Connections-Academy-presents-turnaround-plan-after-earning-F-grade","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500501-f05dfec5451f2b6b0918d9f7d978a94a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603250&Signature=bENbaJXUst07tJzSumq7ZoGikB-nxxe91ellf3NvOTAAkDXevSYrwaAWWDCJyzg05SoeNPZ4MKS6xg0~x9HUpeTLsoTPHGrsqImsShX04PRg6GOp1nahjvE-eamiw69QkJsAQfzDHjJsYwi8EBuO30FIidUipFm1KAfn6N3USrjq6ptS3QAMNEfE8dC702El54ZmBwZUa~bK-6jHqyVhynwcrt~d95Fc4306q-Grs1R9yOG1bmxxldKI~IcdxMSpltUJsEaDGuV1HJOq64A2wirjuWxqBBdhXebvBIabyoQpGnnUg0SdXSwxUOkhVZSEWJL8VR0EPEonL60UDBfTwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Coastal Connections Academy, the only charter associated with the Santa Rosa County School District, earned an F school grade for 2024–25 and presented a detailed turnaround plan to the Santa Rosa County School Board on Aug. 7.

Interim school leader Tiffany Donnelly told the board Coastal's results are “an emergent situation that changes need to be made,” and outlined staffing, curriculum and operational changes intended to raise student performance.

Donnelly said the school will increase live instruction, add instructional coaches, replace some software, require greater student attendance for live lessons and use targeted small-group interventions. She said the school will move from the Edmentum platform to IXL for math and science practice, add a Pearson-provided math coach and literacy coach, and hired an additional intervention specialist to run small-group sessions. “We have completely changed our live lesson schedules,” Donnelly said, adding that students who do not attend live instruction may be disenrolled under new compliance rules.

Nut graf: The district and Coastal's board acknowledged the seriousness of the F grade; Coastal leaders said the school will prioritize live instruction, coaching, a revised handbook and incentives tied to attendance and gains. The district and Coastal said they will pursue outside supports, and Coastal's board committed to provide resources the school needs.

The presentation reviewed three years of assessment data the school used to set objectives. Donnelly said math is the greatest area of need — fourth-grade math proficiency was particularly low — and that the school will triple its prior live-instruction time for core subjects and run four-week “impact cycles” to monitor whether interventions work. She said certain subgroups, including Black/African American students and other ESSA subgroups, will receive targeted support.

Board members pressed for evidence the plan will be implemented and effective. Supervisor of schools Michael Thorpe and district staff described legal and contractual constraints for charter oversight but said the board and district have tools to monitor and — if necessary — act on persistent poor performance. Thorpe told the board Coastal will be eligible to return to the board for contract renewal next year and noted that a charter can face board action, including removal, after two consecutive years of an F under Florida law and the contract terms.

Tiffany Donnelly provided a month-by-month action-plan spreadsheet to district staff. She said the school will operate 23 in-person testing sites across the state to ensure fidelity of state assessments and reported that last year fewer than five percent of Coastal students resided in Santa Rosa County; the school's administrative office is in Pensacola.

Board Chair (Coastal board) Dr. Riad, who attended by phone, said Coastal's board is meeting regularly with school leadership and Pearson (the educational partner) to provide supports. Superintendent Karen Barber said district staff have met repeatedly with Coastal leadership and will offer district resources where appropriate. Thorpe encouraged Coastal to “avail themselves” to the Bureau of School Improvement (BSI) if BSI can provide technical assistance similar to what helped a district school recover from lower performance.

Ending: Coastal leaders agreed to increased district oversight and to return with progress updates. The district said school improvement plans for all schools, including Coastal, will be included on upcoming agendas for board review and approval.","Coastal Connections Academy, a charter associated with the Santa Rosa County School District, earned an F school grade for 2024–25; interim leader Tiffany Donnelly outlined a month-by-month action plan, curriculum changes and increased live instruction to improve outcomes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Santa Rosa celebrates 14 Florida PBIS model schools, one earns statewide platinum status

Board approves routine minutes, construction design phases, personnel appointments and change orders — votes at a glance

District recommends banning on-campus fireworks after risk review; boosters and parents push for alternatives

Parents demand answers after arrest of former Gulf Breeze student; superintendent details limited district role

Coastal Connections Academy presents turnaround plan after earning F grade