Education Archive

Keith Elliott, the suspended I.T. professional for Santa Rosa County District Schools, has not been terminated. At least, not yet. At their Sept. 9 meeting, the Sant Rosa County School Board voted to uphold the decision to suspend Elliott without pay but didn’t decide on termination of his employment, as Elliott had invoked his right to a hearing.

Since the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the safety of schools has been a top priority for school districts, parents and the State Leg-islature. The recent school shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has renewed calls for more to be done to keep children safe from gun violence at their schools. While a variety of laws are al-ready in the books in Florida, some districts across the state are looking for new ways to thwart potential tragedies.

The University of West Florida held their annual move-in day Aug.  21, helping fresh faces and returning students to their residence halls and dorm rooms in efficient, welcoming fashion.

If you walk into your child’s school, there is a chance you might hear they belong to a “house” or have received a “feather.” Don’t be alarmed. They are partaking in their school’s PBIS program.

This July, Stuff the Bus, the annual donations drive organized by United Way of West Florida, brought together Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents to support local schools and students for the 2025-26 school year.

The school year is back and so is the Santa Rosa County Retired Educators Association.

Last year, the Santa Rosa Medical Center and Project SEARCH collaborated to teach transferable work skills to young adults with special needs. On May 29, the hospital and Project SEARCH celebrated the graduation of seven interns, the first to complete the program at Santa Rosa Medical Center.

Today, May 27, the University of West Florida Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Manny Diaz Jr. as interim president, pending the Florida Board of Governors’ approval. Diaz, who currently serves as commissioner of the Florida Department of Education, will begin his new role on July 14, 2025, following the resignation of Dr. Martha Saunders. 

Pace NJROTC held its annual Senior Signing Day on Friday, May 16, honoring senior cadets who have committed to military service through college ROTC programs or academy appointments.

This year’s event recognizes the dedication of four outstanding cadets. Family, friends, faculty, and fellow cadets will gather to show their support and celebrate these seniors as they take the next step in their leadership journeys.

In collaboration with the Santa Rosa County School District, the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County’s (DOH-Santa Rosa) Opioid Prevention Program hosted a fourth-grade poster contest at 10 schools across the county.