FWB High’s Lindsey Smith Named Florida’s Top Administrator for 2026
Fort Walton Beach High Principal Lindsey Smith is honored as the 2026 Bill Montford Administrator of the Year for her leadership in advancing STEM education.
Okaloosa Superintendent recommends closing Mary Esther and Longwood Elementary Schools amid sharp enrollment declines
Superintendent Marcus Chambers is recommending the closure of Mary Esther and Longwood Elementary Schools due to declining enrollment and budget pressures. Families will have a chance to weigh in at a public hearing in February.
Niceville High Launches Future Ready Program for Teens
Niceville High’s Future Ready program, created by Allison Aiken, helps students learn real-world skills like finances, college prep, jobs, and stress management.
Scholarships Announced for Top Students in PR and Communications
The Emerald Coast Public Relations Foundation will award several $1,000 scholarships to high-achieving seniors in Okaloosa, Walton, and Santa Rosa counties who plan to pursue degrees in public relations, communication, marketing, or journalism. Supported by local sponsors including Eglin Federal Credit Union and longtime PR professionals, the program continues the Foundation’s mission to grow the next generation of communicators along the Emerald Coast.
Choctawhatchee High Students Learn Real-World Budgeting at Reality Check Event
About 80 Choctawhatchee High School students stepped into the world of adulthood during the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation’s annual Reality Check event, a hands-on financial literacy simulation that challenged them to budget, prioritize expenses, and navigate real-life choices with the help of community partners.
FWBHS Students Debut Tiny House, Gear Up for International Competition
Fort Walton Beach High School’s Building Trades students gave district leaders and community members an inside look at their in-progress tiny house project during a special preview event this week. The showcase highlighted the students’ growing expertise in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and finishing — skills they’ll put to the test when they compete at the 2026 International Builders’ Show® in Orlando.
Back-to-Back Champ Coach Steps Down
Rocky Bayou Christian School Head Football Coach KC Woods is stepping down after leading the Knights to their second straight SSAA state championship. Woods will stay on as Assistant Principal as the school begins searching for a new head coach.
Okaloosa Technical College Recognized as Military-Friendly Purple Star Campus
Okaloosa Technical College has been named a Collegiate Purple Star Campus by the Florida Department of Education, recognizing the school’s comprehensive support for military members, veterans, and their families across all OTC sites.
Okaloosa County School District Announces 2026 Education Staff Professional of the Year
The Okaloosa County School District honored its top Education Staff Professionals during a ceremony at Crosspoint Church in Niceville, celebrating the custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, and support staff who keep schools running every day. This year, Northwood Elementary’s Nicole Hardin was named the 2026 Education Staff Professional of the Year, earning recognition for her exceptional dedication to students and staff.
Okaloosa Technical College Now Accepting Bids for Student-Built Tiny Homes
Okaloosa Technical College is now accepting bids on four student-built tiny homes, each crafted by students in carpentry, electrical, HVAC, and building trades programs. The project showcases OTC’s long-standing commitment to hands-on, real-world training that prepares students for in-demand careers.
