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Nassau County school leaders tout No. 1 statewide ranking, outline goals and CTE expansions
Summary
Dr. Burns presented the State of the District: Nassau County schools reported A ratings across all schools, CTE expansions (welding, 9-1-1 communications, tiny-house build), safety upgrades funded by the millage, and academic targets including higher proficiency and graduation goals.
Dr. Burns delivered the Nassau County School District's annual State of the District, telling the county commission and school board the district serves about 12,000 students across 18 schools with roughly 1,800 employees and 2.3 million square feet of facilities. He said every school in the district received an A rating this year and called Nassau County the No. 1 school district in the state of Florida.
The presentation highlighted career and technical education expansions. Dr. Burns described a planned welding program funded by a grant for the Yulee area, a 9-1-1 communications training program tied to local sheriff's office hiring (he cited one student who passed the certification test with a 92% score), and a tiny-house construction project at Yulee High School intended as both a training facility and a life-skills site for students with disabilities. He also introduced Dr. Trey Robertson as the district's facilities and maintenance director.
Dr. Burns noted growth in other hands-on pathways: a nascent naval cadet program at Yulee High School that began with 83 students and has grown to more than 100 participants, and an aquaponics program at Hilliard Middle-Senior High School that supplies vegetables to school kitchens.
On student safety, Dr. Burns said the millage has funded Syntegix badging for employees and that there are officers in every school. He described the millage's broader uses — employee salaries, arts, athletics and safety — and said the salary increases have improved recruiting and retention. The district now pays beginning teachers more than neighboring counties in Florida and Georgia, he said.
Dr. Burns presented the district's academic goals for the year: raise English language arts proficiency from 73% to 75%, math from 79% to 82%, social studies from 83% to 85%, science from 77% to 79%, and increase the graduation rate from 92.3% toward 95%. He also said the district aims to reduce chronic absenteeism from 31% to 28%.
Board and county members asked clarifying questions about designations and programs. When asked what it takes to be a Florida Purple Star campus (a military-friendly designation), Dr. Burns said schools must complete a substantial application demonstrating supports for military families and that the district is working to expand Purple Star designation across schools. A commissioner urged counselors to encourage juniors and seniors to apply to U.S. service academies; Dr. Burns said local students have received appointments in recent years.
Dr. Burns said the presentation did not include detailed capital-project plans; the board has held workshops on capital needs and will resume those meetings in February to review state recommendations and enrollment before pursuing new school projects. He warned that state recommendation and funding are prerequisites to building new schools.
The meeting closed this portion with mutual congratulations from commissioners and board members for district staff, teachers and students for the A ratings and other accomplishments. The district will continue to brief the county on capital planning, impact fees and program expansions.
