As the countdown to the new school year begins, Okaloosa County School District Superintendent Marcus Chambers is brimming with enthusiasm for what lies ahead. 

• With students and teachers set to return to classrooms on Aug. 12, Chambers sat down to discuss the district’s preparations, achievements, and vision for the 2024-25 academic year.

The excitement in Chambers’ voice is palpable as he reflects on the summer’s slate of activity. “The school district is not the same when teachers and students aren’t here,” Chambers said. “But there’s so much that happens and there’s so much planning that takes place.”

That planning has been extensive and multifaceted. Principals and teachers have been hard at work throughout the summer, fine-tuning their school performance plans and strategizing ways to build upon their existing successes. “It’s about how we get even better academically for our students,” Chambers explained.

But academics are just one piece of the puzzle. As the new school year approaches, there’s a distinct sense of anticipation for the return of athletics, music, arts, and the overall school atmosphere that makes the district thrive across Okaloosa.

• “Athletics is a main piece of that. The cheerleaders, the dance teams, the bands, and just the atmosphere that comes at the start of the year,” Chambers said, his enthusiasm evident. “The excitement really grows in the fall, but of course, it continues throughout the year.”

Leadership and Continuous Improvement

The district held its annual leadership summit at the end of June, a gathering that Chambers sees as crucial for setting the tone for the upcoming year. This year’s summit focused on adapting to the changing landscape of public education and fostering a mindset of excellence among administrators.

“Public education has changed. And with that, there’s new demands and there’s higher expectations,” Chambers noted. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in the face of these challenges. “We talk a lot about ‘how do you do hard even better’. It’s a mindset of excellence and persevering each day.”

The summit also reinforced the district’s commitment to continuous improvement, one of the pillars of what Chambers calls “the next generation of local schools.” He stressed the importance of not becoming complacent, but rather constantly seeking ways to enhance programs and initiatives.

Building for the Future

One of the most tangible signs of progress in the district is the ongoing construction and renovation projects, made possible by the half-cent sales tax approved by voters. Chambers couldn’t hide his pride when discussing the transformative impact these funds have had on the district’s facilities.

• “Before the half-cent sales tax, we had about three to four task orders. Now we’re over 40,” Chambers said, explaining that each task order might comprise several projects. These improvements range from classroom additions and cafeteria expansions to roof replacements and air conditioning upgrades.

Among the most significant projects is the upcoming construction of a new K-8 school in Crestview, set to open in August 2026. This strategic addition is designed not only to provide a new facility but also to alleviate capacity issues at existing schools in the area.

“This school is strategically being built to impact that capacity all the other schools in that area,” Chambers explained. “We haven’t built a new school in over a decade.”

• Looking further ahead, the district has land for future expansion, including a potential new high school or a ninth-grade center for Crestview High School. 

As various construction projects near completion, Chambers admits that the excitement of ribbon-cutting ceremonies hasn’t diminished. “It does not get old,” he said with a smile. “When you look at what we did prior to the half-cent sales tax, we in essence didn’t do any construction. We’ve been approximately looking at a decade now of a lack of construction or serious renovation.”

Academic Excellence Continues

The district’s focus on facilities hasn’t come at the expense of academic achievement. Okaloosa County Schools recently celebrated its ninth consecutive year of earning an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education. This consistent high performance is a source of immense pride for Chambers, something he says is a testament to the hard work of students, teachers, and staff.

“We have amazing students and behind amazing students, we have what I believe are the most fantastic teaching staff there is,” Chambers said. He noted that today’s educational standards are more rigorous than ever, with material once taught in high school now being introduced in middle school, and middle school content shifting to elementary grades.

• Despite these challenges, Okaloosa’s educators continue to rise to the occasion. “Each time that happens, our teachers and principals step up. They step up and deliver what’s needed for our students,” Chambers said.

The superintendent also credited the community’s support and high expectations as driving forces behind the district’s success. “This community supports our school district unlike anything I’ve seen. They’re proud of our teachers. They’re proud of our students and staff,” he said.

With the implementation of a new progress monitoring system, which includes three assessments throughout the year, he says the district is better equipped to track student progress and make timely adjustments. 

• And even after the release of the grades from the Department of Education, Chambers highlighted several areas of focus for improvement, including third-grade English Language Arts and math, as well as high school biology, algebra, and geometry.

Career and Technical Education Expansion

Okaloosa County Schools continue to expand their Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, aligning with Governor Ron DeSantis’ goal for Florida to be number one in the nation in CTE by 2030. The district’s unique position, surrounded by military installations and major defense contractors, makes it an ideal environment for developing a skilled workforce, according to Chambers.

“This area is ripe for career and technical education,” Chambers said. “One of the things that we’ve always strived to do here is be a pipeline to the workforce.”

Recent additions to the district’s CTE offerings include programs in building trades, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and nursing. These programs were introduced in response to local workforce needs, further strengthening the connection between education and industry in the area.

Embracing New Technologies: eSports

In an exciting development for tech-savvy students, the district is introducing eSports programs at all high schools this year. Inspired by the success of collegiate eSports programs, including those at Northwest Florida State College, Chambers sees this as an opportunity to engage students in a new way.

• “Kids game. I look at my own son who plays sports in high school but he’s also gaming,” Chambers said. He noted that research has shown eSports to be beneficial not only for academics but also for mental health.

“I went over to NWFSC and visited their eSports program and saw a number of students who were in there and were competing,” Chambers recalled. To his surprise, he recognized several former Okaloosa County high school students among the competitors. Even more impressive, the college team was on track to be ranked number one in the nation at the collegiate level.

The decision to introduce eSports to Okaloosa schools was driven by more than just its popularity. Chambers pointed to research highlighting the benefits of eSports for both academics and mental health. “There’s a place for eSports in Okaloosa schools,” he asserted. “There’s also a segment of the student population, that’s what they do.”

Initially, eSports will be offered as before- or after-school programs at each of the district’s high schools. However, Chambers expressed hope that it could eventually become part of the regular curriculum. 

• “We want to get to a place where we’re competing with other schools,” he said, outlining a vision that starts with intra-district competitions but could expand to include matches against other school districts throughout the state.

The superintendent also highlighted the potential long-term benefits of the program. “At the college level, eSports is literally a sport. You can get scholarships to go do eSports,” he explained. This opens up new pathways for students to pursue higher education, particularly for those who might not fit the traditional athletic scholarship mold.

Additionally, Chambers sees eSports as a potential gateway to careers in technology and game development. “For students who really like eSports or gaming, they could also look into creating these games or engineering these games in the future,” he suggested.

Mental Health Support

Recognizing the importance of student well-being, Chambers said the district has significantly expanded its mental health support services in recent years. He highlighted the presence of mental health counselors, social workers, or similar professionals at every school, working alongside guidance counselors to provide comprehensive support.

One program making a particular impact is Hope Squad, a student-led suicide prevention and awareness initiative. 

• “That program has already saved the lives of kids who said they wanted to harm themselves,” Chambers said.

Looking Ahead

As the new school year approaches, Chambers acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead, particularly in managing the numerous ongoing construction and renovation projects. “There’s so much to do in terms of construction. There’s so much to do in terms of hopes of getting new schools, but you can’t do it all in one year,” he said, emphasizing the need for patience as these long-term plans come to fruition.

Despite these challenges, Chambers sees immense opportunities for the district to make a positive impact on students’ lives. 

“We’re going to have approximately 32,000 students who are going to enter the schools here in a couple weeks. That’s 32,000 lives that we have the ability to impact,” he said.

As students, parents, and teachers prepare for the new academic year, Chambers offered words of encouragement. 

• To parents, he emphasized the importance of involvement and communication with teachers and principals. 
• For students, his message was clear: “Get involved, participate, stay engaged in school.”

With a mix of new facilities, expanded programs, and a continued commitment to academic excellence, Chambers says the Okaloosa County School District stands ready for another successful year. As the community counts down to Aug. 12, the excitement is building for what promises to be a year of growth, learning, and achievement.