Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Superintendent Report topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent Chambers outlines first‑semester progress: buses, construction, staffing and tech
Summary
Superintendent Chambers reviewed first‑semester district accomplishments, including ordering 106 new buses, progress on capital outlay projects and school construction, a one‑time $500 employee bonus, expanded recruitment efforts and investments in classroom technology and safety systems.
Superintendent Chambers used the workshop to summarize first‑semester operational and programmatic highlights across the Okaloosa County School District, touching on transportation, construction, finance, staffing and classroom technology.
Chambers told the board the district has ordered 106 new buses and that 92 have arrived with 14 more on order, which he said will bring the entire fleet to air‑conditioned vehicles once delivered. “Once the new 14 get here this year, all of our buses will have air conditioning,” he said.
On capital projects, Chambers reviewed progress on the district's 02/2022 certificate of participation (COP) program, which funded multipurpose buildings, classroom additions and cafetorium work. He said the board is advancing a second COP for roughly $175 million to fund the new Pine View K–8 school, a 30‑classroom Destin addition and the Baker classroom addition.
Chambers also highlighted human‑resources work: the district hired more than 200 substitutes during the first semester and issued a one‑time $500 bonus to employees. He said the TPG teacher program has placed teachers at several schools and will expand next year.
On instructional technology, Chambers said 170 clear‑touch interactive panels have been ordered for classrooms and that the district is emphasizing consistent classroom technology in targeted grades and subjects. He also reiterated safety upgrades, including camera retrofits and phased access‑control improvements funded through capital dollars and the half‑cent sales tax.
He described ongoing legislative outreach — a recent meeting with Representative Mainy and upcoming meetings with state senators — on topics including student behavior, the base student allocation, and teacher certification and retention.
