Okaloosa County School Board appoints three assistant principals, adopts personnel policy updates and approves multiple construction task orders; honors Lewis S

The Okaloosa County School Board on an unanimous vote approved three assistant principal appointments, adopted multiple revised personnel policies and several prime contract change orders and task orders, and recognized a longtime Lewis School volunteer.

Superintendent Chambers opened the recognition segment by calling volunteers “the backbone of a school district,” and the board presented Nathan Bassett as the Okaloosa County School District 2024–25 volunteer of the year. Superintendent Chambers said Bassett “poured his time, energy, and heart into supporting fifth grade students,” and noted Bassett volunteers “6 hours a day during his months off” and works in four of five classrooms, supporting roughly 90 students. Lewis School administrator Dr. Chapman told the board Bassett is “definitely a staple in our school” who will “step in, complete any task that’s asked of him.”

The board approved three administrative appointments recommended by the superintendent: Jeanette Dunn as assistant principal (10‑month) at Richburg School; Michael Denton as assistant principal (10‑month) at Ruckle Middle School; and Latavius Wilkes as assistant principal (10‑month) at Davidson Middle School. Each appointment passed on a 5–0 vote. Jeanette Dunn addressed the board, saying she was “both excited and humbled to accept the role of assistant principal at Richburg School.” Wilkes thanked the board and said he was “honored to join an incredible team” at Davidson.

During the meeting the board held public hearings and adopted several revised school board policies presented by Dr. Hale. The board adopted revised policies in chapter 6 (personnel, general), chapter 7 (personnel support), chapter 8 (personnel, instructional), chapter 9 (personnel, administrative/managerial), and policy 11‑05 (selecting professional services). Each policy adoption was moved, seconded, and approved 5–0 with no public speakers recorded.

On capital‑projects and construction business presented by Dr. Smith, the board voted unanimously to: authorize funding and an owner direct purchase for Central Administration Building Phase 3 (furniture task order #24); approve Program 6, Task Order #35 (additions at Pine View School, Destin Elementary and Baker School); approve Program 6, Task Order #2 (district‑wide school security upgrades and fencing); approve Program 6, Task Order #30 (time and materials for new electrical service at Lewis School and Crestview High School, and upgrades at Niceville High School); approve Program 6, Task Order #42 (Prior Bridal School flooring replacement); and approve Program 6, Task Order #25 (district‑wide stadium repairs). All prime contract change orders and task orders passed 5–0.

The board also authorized retention of the law firm Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell to assist the district with employment‑law matters; the district attorney (name not stated on the record) asked the board to “retain the law firm of Rumberger, Kirk, and Caldwell,” and the motion to authorize the chairman to execute the retainer passed 5–0.

Consent and human‑resources items were handled largely on the consent agenda or as routine action: employment separations, personnel recommendations, employee transfers, and leaves without pay were approved by unanimous vote according to staff recommendations. During a brief program status report board member Heinle noted a meeting will be held in the new boardroom in August 2025.

The meeting adjourned after board member remarks and routine closing business.

Votes at a glance - Appointment: Jeanette Dunn, Assistant Principal (10‑month), Richburg School. Motion: adopt recommendation of superintendent. Mover: Mister Bridal; Second: Mister Heinley. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Appointment: Michael Denton, Assistant Principal (10‑month), Ruckle Middle School. Motion: adopt recommendation of superintendent. Mover: Miss Connelly; Second: Miss VanChek. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Appointment: Latavius Wilkes, Assistant Principal (10‑month), Davidson Middle School. Motion: adopt recommendation of superintendent. Mover: Mister Bridal; Second: Miss VanChek. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Policy adoption: Revised School Board Policies Chapter 6 (personnel, general). Presenter: Dr. Hale. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Policy adoption: Revised School Board Policies Chapter 7 (personnel support). Presenter: Dr. Hale. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Policy adoption: Revised School Board Policies Chapter 8 (personnel, instructional). Presenter: Dr. Hale. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Policy adoption: Revised School Board Policies Chapter 9 (personnel, administrative/managerial). Presenter: Dr. Hale. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Policy adoption: School Board Policy 11‑05 (selecting professional services). Presenter: Dr. Hale/Dr. Smith. Vote: 5–0, approved. - Capital/Program approvals (Program 6 and related task orders): Task Orders #24, #35, #2, #30, #42, #25 (furniture, additions, security/fencing, electrical service upgrades, flooring replacement, stadium repairs). Presenter: Dr. Smith. Votes: each 5–0, approved. - Retainer: Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell (employment law retainer). Motion to authorize chairman to execute retainer. Vote: 5–0, approved.

Sources: Okaloosa County School Board meeting transcript (public remarks, agenda items, motions and votes)