A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday at Longwood Elementary School in Shalimar to mark the completion of major renovations and additions to the campus.

• Members of the Okaloosa County School District, elected officials, representatives from the Half Cent Sales Tax Capital Program Citizens Oversight Committee, contractors Jacobs-Titan and Lord and Son, and community members attended the event to celebrate and tour the upgraded school.

“Thanks to the Half Cent Sales Tax Program approved by Okaloosa County voters in 2020, our school district is making many much-needed updates to buildings throughout the district and planning new school construction,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said.

Longwood Elementary School was built 40 years ago with an open concept and pod-style classrooms. This summer, Jacobs-Titan and Lord and Son Construction installed walls to divide up the rooms and create a more enclosed classroom environment.

• “We now have new walls, flooring, furniture, roofing and state-of-the-art technology. We are equipped to prepare the leaders of tomorrow!” said Longwood Principal Lisa Tucker.

The school district plans to hold more ribbon cuttings soon to open new classroom additions, cafetoriums and multipurpose buildings. More information on the district’s Half-Cent Sales Tax Capital Program is available online.