Okaloosa County School Board proclaims Nov. 19 as National Education Support Professionals Day

The Okaloosa County School Board on Nov. 10 adopted a proclamation recognizing Nov. 19, 2025 as National Education Support Professionals Day, praising the district employees who keep schools safe, clean and operational.

Superintendent Chambers read the proclamation and thanked support staff for the work they do "before most folks even get up" — from maintenance and custodial work to driving buses and staffing school offices. "Our support professionals are the first individuals to meet our students and the last individuals to say goodnight," Chambers said during the meeting.

Board members echoed the superintendent's remarks. One member said support staff are critical to morale and the day-to-day functioning of schools; another, speaking of personal memories, credited custodial and cafeteria staff with providing stability during his own school years.

Patrick Strong, introduced as the president of the district's education support staff association, addressed the board on behalf of support employees and outlined the range of jobs they perform, from transportation mechanics and bus drivers to interpreters and bookkeepers. Strong said the association represents more than 1,200 support professionals in the district and urged the community to wear red on Nov. 19 to show appreciation. He also challenged board members to spend a day shadowing a support employee.

The proclamation, adopted by a 5-0 vote, urges employees and the community to "express grateful appreciation to the education support professionals for their commitment and dedication to the school district." The board paused afterward for photographs and brief remarks from honorees.

The board listed the proclamation among the evening's recognitions and moved on to personnel business after the vote.