Mike Philley, band director at Avalon Middle School, has accepted the Santa Rosa County District Schools Instrumental Music Coordinator position.

The Santa Rosa County Commission voted to approve a contract for school zone speed cameras, brushing aside privacy concerns raised during public comment over AI-powered surveillance tied to the deal.

The contract, requested jointly by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Rosa County District Schools, is with Maryland-based company Altumint, a speed camera provider that will install enforcement cameras in 15 school zones across the county.

Jeremiah Pool has been a Gator fan his entire life. His father was one, his three brothers got degrees in Gainesville, and for this Panther, he is set to become one too.

Kennedy Gardner is leaving Milton High School the same way she arrived, with a purpose.
Gardner, the Class of 2026 valedictorian, said the word that best captures her four years at Milton High is “impactful.” She credits the school’s culture, students, teachers and leaders alike, for shaping not just grades on a report card but for the person she has become.

Before students at Avalon Middle School ever step foot on a college campus, they are already learning and receiving the tools they need to be successful.

Milton High School celebrated the Class of 2026 during an award ceremony on May 12.

Citing public safety concerns and costs, a plan to adopt student ID cards for Santa Rosa County students died due to the lack of support from members of the Santa Rosa County School Board, with School Board Chair Carol Boston as the only member to make a motion to approve the item.

David Farrow spent his life helping when he could. From being an Army veteran to helping teachers in need when running an appliance store in Georgia, to sitting on school advisory committees while his son moved through the grades. Now he is eyeing a seat on the Santa Rosa County School Board.

The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners on April 24 recognized Pace High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program for placing second at the 2026 NJROTC national championship.

After hours of pointed arguments, emotional appeals and tense deliberation, the Santa Rosa County School Board voted April 22 to give district teachers a fully recurring 2% salary increase, ending months of failed negotiations and leaving union leaders relieved.