Florida / School Districts / Okaloosa
District staff briefed the board on multiple sales-tax construction projects and task orders; the board approved an owner-direct purchase of a replacement chiller for Gruner Middle School to ensure HVAC readiness.
Florida / School Districts / Okaloosa
At its latest meeting the Okaloosa County School Board honored band director Jody Dunn for a national distinction and celebrated the district’s high school bands after each received superior ratings at regional music performance assessments.
Florida / School Districts / Okaloosa
The Okaloosa County School Board confirmed four personnel appointments — an assistant principal, a Northwood Elementary principal, an HR program director and an assistant superintendent — each approved 5-0 and followed by brief comments from appointees.
Florida / School Districts / Okaloosa
Following public hearings with no public speakers, the Okaloosa County School Board unanimously approved six items including revisions to personnel and ethics policies and new job descriptions; each motion passed 5-0.
Florida / School Districts / Okaloosa
Superintendent Marcus Chambers told the board the district faces declining enrollment driven by Family Empowerment Scholarships (FES), falling birth rates and demographic shifts. He and staff outlined a 10‑year enrollment forecast, estimated local scholarship outflows of roughly $43 million and recommended administrative restructures and further fiscal measures.
Florida / School Districts / Okaloosa
Assistant Superintendent Meyer outlined a July 2025 statutory change that lets districts keep current start times if they submit prescribed compliance information. The district will collect current start times, transportation impacts and family/staff considerations and must file by June 2026 or as required by rulemaking.
Florida / School Districts / Okaloosa
Okaloosa staff described joining the Florida Educational Health Trust ('Fleet') as a way to lower premiums and stop‑loss exposure through larger pooled risk sharing. Staff said Fleet requires self‑funding and strong health portfolios and that the stop‑loss insurance revision on the agenda is linked to enabling participation.
Florida / School Districts / Okaloosa
The Okaloosa County School Board unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing Nov. 19, 2025 as National Education Support Professionals Day, with Superintendent Chambers and board members thanking district custodians, bus drivers, clerical staff and others for daily contributions to student safety and learning.
Florida / School Districts / Okaloosa
The Okaloosa County School Board approved its consent agenda and multiple personnel items — including certification/contracts, out-of-field report, position allocations, employment separations, transfers, suspensions and leave requests — each by unanimous 5-0 votes.
Florida / School Districts / Okaloosa
Superintendent Chambers told the Okaloosa County School Board that the district is preparing for “a very challenging budget” and asked the board to back five legislative priorities aimed at stabilizing school finances and protecting classroom resources.