Ruckel Middle School celebrated Tuesday morning with the grand opening of its new cafetorium, a project funded by the county’s voter-approved half-cent sales tax, representing a significant upgrade for one of the district’s largest middle schools.

• The ceremony began at 9 a.m. with performances by the school’s band and chorus, followed by the JROTC color guard presentation and the national anthem. The cheerleaders greeted guests as they arrived, welcoming a diverse group of community leaders and officials.

“We’ve had a few additions along the way but the bones of this school are nearly 70 years old,” Principal Joe Jannazo told attendees, referencing the school’s 1956 founding date. “With that long history in mind, we send out a heartfelt thank you to the vision of our superintendent of schools, Mr. Chambers, the Surtax Oversight Committee, and most especially, our community who made this a reality.”

Superintendent Marcus Chambers, who began his teaching career at Ruckel in 1998, reflected on the transformation of the space. “This exact spot is where our students would stretch for cross country and track. And now here we are today in a cafeteria,” he said. “This is much needed. The other cafeteria is nice, but much smaller.”

The project represents part of a broader initiative across Okaloosa County. The half-cent sales tax has generated significantly more than expected, according to Chambers. 

• “To date, we should have raised about $78 million. We’re over $120 million. That’s $40 million more due to the economy here in Okaloosa,” he said. “Those additional dollars are helping us expedite [projects]. It’s helping us go quicker, faster, and further in the projects that we’re doing.”

Jason Belcher, chairman of the sales tax oversight committee, noted that more than half of the tax revenue comes from visitors to the county. “It’s a major influence, a major upgrade to what we’ve had in the past,” he said. As committee chairman, Belcher emphasized their role as liaison between the community and the district, ensuring proper oversight of project implementation.

The impact extends beyond the new cafetorium. The old cafeteria will be renovated into what Jannazo called “the newest, most state of the art, largest band room.” He highlighted the school’s impressive musical achievements, noting that the chorus was one of only three middle schools ever invited to perform at Lincoln Center in New York City. 

• The band and chorus programs consistently send the highest number of students to all-state competitions among public schools, excluding performing arts schools.

School board member Brett Hinely, a former Ruckel student himself, shared personal memories of the school.

“I was a Ruckel Ram over 40 years ago, and all three of my daughters were Ruckel Rams,” he said. Looking to the future, he addressed current students about their upcoming civic responsibility. “In four to six years, that [sales] tax is going to come up on the table again. And you students will be able to vote on it,” he said.

Student Government President Mason Morse expressed gratitude on behalf of the student body. “This is a momentous occasion for our school,” he said. “Whether it was…through fundraising, volunteering time, or offering feedback and ideas, your involvement has been invaluable.”

The facility includes a stage and an additional classroom behind it. The project also encompasses significant improvements to the school’s exterior, including a new parking lot and fencing to accommodate the school’s multiple car lines, necessary due to its large student population.

Chambers emphasized the broader context of district-wide improvements. “When you look across the county, from Laurel Hill down to Destin, you will see new classroom additions, these cafeterias, multi-purpose buildings, and we’re replacing roofs and air conditioning systems, and new parking lots,” he said.

• The superintendent noted that six years ago, while the district was strong academically, it faced infrastructure challenges, including having the oldest bus fleet in Florida and some of the state’s oldest buildings. The sales tax initiative has helped address these issues.

Looking ahead, Chambers mentioned the district’s next major project: Pineview School, a new K-8 facility currently under construction in Crestview. “That’s what’s happening across this school district right now. We’re talking about the next generation of Okaloosa schools,” he said.

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting inside the new cafetorium, marking what Jannazo described as the beginning of a new chapter for the school, its students, and the community.