Okaloosa School Board Member Resigns to Lead Destin High School
Destin High School welcomes a familiar face as its new principal, Dr. Diane Kelley, a lifelong educator and current school board member. Dr. Kelley, who will officially begin
Under Cloud of Controversy, STEMM Principal to Lead Education Efforts at Okaloosa DJJ Facility
In a move that sparked public outcry and emotional testimonies, the Okaloosa County School Board approved the transfer of Dr. Scheree Martin from Okaloosa STEMM Academy to a leadership position at the Department of Juvenile Justice facility south of Crestview. Despite unanimous support from the board, except for the absent Tim Bryant, parents vociferously opposed the transfer, citing Martin’s controversial past with children with autism at STEMM Academy. Superintendent Marcus Chambers defended the decision, emphasizing the district’s commitment to addressing misconduct while navigating complex personnel decisions.
Okaloosa Superintendent Appointed To FHSAA Board of Directors
Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Marcus Chambers, the Superintendent of Schools for Okaloosa County, to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Board of Directors. Chambers, with over 26 years in education, has been recognized for his contributions at various levels, including as a teacher, principal, and administrator. This appointment, which awaits confirmation by the Florida Senate, highlights Chambers’ commitment to advancing high school athletics in Florida.
Kedroski Named Interim President at Northwest Florida State College
Northwest Florida State College has appointed Dr. Cristie Kedroski as Interim President, effective July 6, 2024. With over 20 years of experience in higher education and community outreach, Dr. Kedroski has been pivotal in driving the College’s enrollment growth and academic innovation. The Board of Trustees unanimously selected Dr. Kedroski, confident in her ability to lead the College during this transitional period.
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.
NWFSC Proposes Course Fee Changes
While tuition will not change – course fees may see some fluctuation this year.
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 […]
