Parents: ‘Okaloosa STEMM Principal Broke The Law.’ Now, They Say They Want Justice for Their Son With Autism.

Okaloosa STEMM Academy, lauded as one of Florida’s top middle schools, faces scrutiny from a family who claims their son, José, experienced harassment under the administration of Principal Dr. Scheree Martin. Despite José’s high academic performance, his parents allege Martin’s disciplinary actions targeted their son due to his autism and ADD, leading them to withdraw him from the school. Their ongoing battle highlights concerns about the school’s handling of students with special needs and has prompted investigations by both the Okaloosa County School District and the Florida Department of Education.

Children Chosen for Creativity in Tax Collector Tag Art Contest

The Okaloosa County School Board meeting was filled with excitement as Tax Collector Ben Anderson and Sheriff Eric Aden, along with Superintendent Marcus Chambers, presented the Award of Distinction to the winners of the Kids Tag Art Program. This program, which combines an art contest with a fundraising initiative, raised over $18,000 for school arts programs this year, showcasing the creative talents of local 5th graders and supporting the arts in Okaloosa County schools.

Northwest Florida State, Tech Startup Announce Tutoring Partnership

Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) has partnered with Florida-based peer tutoring platform Knack to offer free, on-demand tutoring to all students starting Fall 2024. This initiative aims to enhance student retention and success through high-quality tutoring and professional growth opportunities. “Our commitment to student success is unwavering; this additional resource demonstrates our support for all students who attend NWFSC,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of NWFSC.

A Catholic School in Niceville? Here’s What We Know:

At the end of the meeting, Jeff Witt invited a crowd of about 150 Catholic adults at 3rd Planet Brewing in Niceville to join him in The Lord’s Prayer, but before he could begin, 100 voices had already started on their own. The gathering, which outgrew its initial side room and moved to the beer garden, aimed to gauge interest in starting a Catholic school in Niceville. Witt, a parishioner at Christ our Redeemer Catholic Church, highlighted the strong local desire for Catholic education, emphasizing the thriving community and the absence of a nearby Catholic school. Witt plans to gather further community input through a poll before making concrete decisions, with a vision of creating a faithful, affordable, and excellent Catholic school in Niceville.

Okaloosa County Schools Participate in Summer Meal Program

Okaloosa County Schools Participate in Summer Meal Program Staff Reports May 29, 2024 3:44 pm Schools and Education /*! elementor – v3.21.0 – 26-05-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} In Brief: Okaloosa County Schools will participate in the Summer Break Spot program, offering free nutritious meals to children aged 18 and under […]

Okaloosa Technical College Places 55th at National Competition

Okaloosa Technical College Places 55th at National Competition Staff Reports May 30, 2024 2:01 pm Schools and Education /*! elementor – v3.21.0 – 26-05-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} In Brief: Okaloosa Technical College (OTC) ranked 55th in the nation in the Spring 2024 National Cyber League Competition among 7,412 college-level competitors. […]

Rocky Bayou Students Graduate. Here’s What They Plan To Do Next:

The Class of 2024 at Rocky Bayou Christian Academy has achieved remarkable success, with all 67 seniors graduating and earning over $5 million in scholarship offers. The school highlighted 11 lifelong students and celebrated their achievements during a commencement ceremony featuring Dr. Voddie Baucham. The full ceremony is available on the school’s Facebook page.

Catholic School in Niceville? One Group Aims to Make It Happen ASAP!

Niceville Catholic Education invites the community to a pivotal meeting on June 9 at 3rd Planet Brewery to discuss the future of Catholic K-12 education in the Niceville and greater Choctawhatchee Bay area. The meeting will cover updates from local pastors, vision and scope for the initiative, ways to get involved, and an open Q&A session. All interested families and community members are encouraged to attend and participate in shaping this educational endeavor.

PHOTO GALLERY: Niceville High School Graduation 2024

Congratulations to the graduates of Niceville High School’s 2024 Class! Starting their journey amid the COVID-19 pandemic, these students have shown resilience and excellence. Their collective achievements include an A rating for Niceville High School, multiple state championships for the Eagle Track Team, and a 1,000-point career milestone for senior basketball player Anna Kimball. From state champions in cheerleading to a memorable performance at the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Class of 2024 leaves a legacy of success and pride.

Mid Bay News

A drone view of the activity on Boggy Bayou before the annual fireworks festival put on every year by the cities of Niceville  and Valparaiso.