OCSO Spring Break Numbers

Deputies with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office issued approximately 267 citations to underage drinkers during this year’s eight-week Spring Break period. That compares to 141 last year. High School students made up more than half the number of offenders cited for underage alcohol possession– with 166 citations.

Here’s a partial breakdown on the notices to appear:

LOUISIANA:        29 college students                 54 high school students

ALABAMA:          22 college students                 30 high school students

MISSISSIPPI:      17 college students                 11 high school students

GEORGIA:            9 college students                 12 high school students

LOCALS:               2 college students                   7 high school students

Underage alcohol possession citations were also written to multiple students from the states of Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Maryland, and New Jersey.

In addition, deputies also made Spring Break arrests involving five cases of battery, ten cases of possession of marijuana, and nineteen cases of retail theft. Other charges filed included trespassing, possession of fraudulent identification, and one grand theft. No sexual batteries were reported.

WCSB Meeting

The Walton County Education Foundation operates to give the school district additional opportunities. It is a non-profit organization which works through fundraising, donations and grants. At last night’s Walton School Board meeting, the Foundation awarded grants to teachers. The total awarded is over $12,000 with the money split between classroom grants and arts grants.

Superintendent Carlene Anderson told the Board South Walton High School won a number of awards for their newspaper.

The school calendar was brought back to the table. Superintendent Anderson said she had concerns about days off and parents having to take care of the children while at work. The calendar committee made changes and Anderson now gave a recommendation of approval. The half days for some schools are now half days for all schools. These are to give teachers more time to take care of required record and training duties. The calendar passed 5-0. Staff will have the calendar on the district’s website today. A link is on our website http://www.wzep1460.com.

The School Board opened a public hearing concerning challenged material. This is where a parent or citizen can take exception to something being taught or used in the school district. When the play was challenged at South Walton High last year, this eventually went to the board for a final decision. The hearing dealt with changes to the policy, including allowing the challenged material to stay until a final decision is made. Previously any challenged material would be removed until a decision was made, no matter how sound the challenge was.

After taking time to decide who on the personnel recommendation list each school board member was related to, the recommendations were approved. The related individuals were then voted on in separate votes to make sure there were no violations. The rules say a member can not vote on a spouse, parent, child, sibling or in-laws of the same. Board members commented they were glad cousins were not on the prohibited list, or they would be there a long time.

The board was asked to change the eligibility date for health insurance from the day after being hired to 60 days after being hired. This is a common time frame in the state and will save the district about $175,000 a year. Those needing coverage could pay the COBRA premium or purchase insurance for the two months. This helps with turnover during the probation period and having to pay a full month premium. The district’s claims are said to not be where they would like them and there could be a larger increase when time to renew insurance. The motion passed 3-2 with Barnhill and Davis the nay votes.

The Board received a report from each high and middle school on how the athletic funds will be distributed. This is after the Board agreed to help fund sports to cut down on fundraisers to pay for things like uniforms and officials. The report was to show how each sport would get at least some of the money. It was also noted cheerleading is now classified as a sport and was included on the distribution.

The Board approved the required school improvement plans. Each school has to prepare the plans and Superintendent Anderson noted how hard the schools and even community members work on the plans.

The color of paint, carpets, fixtures, rooms and facilities and the site are all part of the Emerald Cost Middle School Masterplan rendering presented to the Board. This was not drawings of the school, but most everything else. The design allows for an elementary school and the two adjoining would share a kitchen facility. The middle school would also have a separate gym.

The Board heard about a possible purchase of 31 acres on the northwest side of Paxton School, but felt the owner is asking too much and they did not see a need. The Board received an update on projects with the new High School getting closer to the point of being dryed in and the Mossy Head school still on schedule, and took a look at the Superintendent’s recommendations for the FTE Corrective action corrective action plan.