Okaloosa County School Board — Regular Meeting, February 23, 2026 — reading text

Monday, February 23, 2026 Regular Meeting School District Central Administration Complex Niceville, Florida Boardroom 5:00 p.m. Public Hearing 5:15 p.m. Invocation offered by Dr. Christopher Laster, Dorcas Baptist Church Pledge of Allegiance led by D. Parker Destin *********************************************** NOTICE: This Board Meeting is being live-streamed for the convenience of the public at the video link above or at https://www.okaloosaschools.com/page/2026-school-board-meetings *********************************************** 1. Opening of Meeting Subject : 1.1 Call to Order by the Chairman Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Procedural 2. Approval of Agenda Subject : 2.1 Changes to Agenda and Approval of Agenda Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Action Recommended Action : Motion to approve the Agenda Motion & Voting Motion to approve the Agenda Motion by Brett Hinely, second by Lamar White. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yes: Tim Bryant, Parker Destin, Linda Evanchyk, Brett Hinely, Lamar White 4. Administrative Personnel Appointments Subject : 4.1 Appointment of Assistant Principal II (10 Month), Walker Elementary School, recommended by the Superintendent for approval. Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Action Recommended Action : Motion to approve the appointment of Assistant Principal II (10 Month),  Walker Elementary School. Public Content Motion & Voting Motion to approve the appointment of Julie Ward to the position of Assistant Principal II (10 Month), Walker Elementary School. Motion by Tim Bryant, second by Parker Destin. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yes: Tim Bryant, Parker Destin, Linda Evanchyk, Brett Hinely, Lamar White 4. Administrative Personnel Appointments Subject : 4.2 Appointment of Assistant Principal II (10 Month, Richbourg School, recommended by the Superintendent for approval. Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Action Recommended Action : Motion to approve the appointment of Assistant Principal II (10 Month), Richbourg School. Public Content Motion & Voting Motion to approve the appointment of Jackie Windham to the position of Assistant Principal II (10 Month), Richbourg School. Motion by Tim Bryant, second by Lamar White. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yes: Tim Bryant, Parker Destin, Linda Evanchyk, Brett Hinely, Lamar White 5. Public Comment - Agenda Items Only (Blue Card) Subject : 5.1 Members of the public desiring to address the School Board regarding Agenda items only - Form MIS 5241  Discussion of Agenda Items (Blue Card) Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Information 6. Committee and Staff Reports (Workshop Only) Subject : 6.1 Okaloosa County District School Board Internal Funds Financial Statements for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025, presented by Julie Perry, Chief Financial Officer Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Information Public Content Chapter 6A-1.087, State Board of Education - Administrative Rules, requires the School Board to provide for an annual audit of school internal funds and requires that the auditor submit a signed, written report to the School Board which shall include any notations of any failure to comply with the requirements of Florida Statutes, State Board Rules and policies of the School Board, and commentary as to financial management and irregularities. The report is being presented to the School Board as an information item only, which does not require a vote; however, the presentation of the report is filed as a part of public records of the Board and reflects this fact in the minutes of the School Board. The independent certified public accounting firm of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, L.L.C., performed the audit of the school internal funds. When an audit is performed, it is normal to have exceptions - one or two items that are not in compliance. If this happens, the auditor expands the sample to see if any more items are found. If they are, this rises to the level of a finding. There are four types of audit findings: Level 1 - Improvement Points, Level 2 - Control Deficiencies, Level 3 - Significant Deficiencies, and Level 4 - Material Weaknesses. Out of 37 schools, only 9 schools had findings. All findings were Level 1 only, and additional training has been provided to these bookkeepers. Of the 28 schools with no findings, only 8 had exceptions. This means that 20 schools not only had no findings, they also had no exceptions. File Attachments Okaloosa County District School Board - Audited Financial Statements June 30, 2025.pdf (3,003 KB) Okaloosa County District School Board - Required Communications.pdf (319 KB) Internal Funds Audit Report - Summary of Findings FY 2025.pdf (72 KB) 6. Committee and Staff Reports (Workshop Only) Subject : 6.2 In-County Travel paid for January 2026, presented by Julie Perry, Chief Financial Officer. Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Report Public Content In-County Travel paid for January 2026, presented by Julie Perry, Chief Financial Officer. File Attachments In County Travel Summary 02.23.2026.pdf (193 KB) 6. Committee and Staff Reports (Workshop Only) Subject : 6.3 Out-of-County Travel paid for January 2026, presented by Julie Perry, Chief Financial Officer. Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Report Public Content Out-of-County Travel paid for January 2026, presented by Julie Perry, Chief Financial Officer. File Attachments Out of County Travel Summary 02.23.2026.pdf (184 KB) 7. Consent Agenda Subject : 7.1 Approval of the Consent Agenda Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Action (Consent) Recommended Action : Motion to approve the Consent Agenda and all of the Consent Agenda items as recommended by the Superintendent. Consent Our adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Robert's Rules, provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the Board by a single motion. Documentation concerning these items have been provided to all Board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member. Motion & Voting Motion to approve the Consent Agenda and all of the Consent Agenda items as recommended by the Superintendent. Motion by Tim Bryant, second by Parker Destin. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yes: Tim Bryant, Parker Destin, Linda Evanchyk, Brett Hinely, Lamar White 7. Consent Agenda Subject : 7.2 Approval of the Minutes of the Workshop Meeting of February 9, 2026; Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 9, 2026, and recommended by the Superintendent for approval. Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Action (Consent) Preferred Date : Feb 23, 2026 Absolute Date : Feb 23, 2026 Recommended Action : Motion to approve the Minutes of the Workshop Meeting of February 9, 2026; Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 9, 2026. File Attachments 2-9-2026 Workshop - DRAFT.pdf (135 KB) 2-9-2026 Meeting - DRAFT.pdf (134 KB) Consent Our adopted rules of Parliamentary Procedure, Robert's Rules, provide for a consent agenda listing several items for approval of the Board by a single motion. Documentation concerning these items have been provided to all Board members and the public in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any board member. Motion & Voting Motion to approve the Consent Agenda and all of the Consent Agenda items as recommended by the Superintendent. Motion by Tim Bryant, second by Parker Destin. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yes: Tim Bryant, Parker Destin, Linda Evanchyk, Brett Hinely, Lamar White 7. Consent Agenda Subject : 7.3 Appropriation of District 2 School Board Member Capital Outlay Funds to Bruner Middle School for an exterior wall mural in the amount of  $2,500.00, presented by Parker Destin and recommended by the Superintendent for approval. Meeting : Feb 23, 2026 - Regular Meeting Type : Action (Consent) Fiscal Impact : Yes Dollar Amount : $2,500.00 Budgeted : Yes Budget Source : School Board Member Discretionary Capital Outlay Funds Recommended Action : Motion to approve the appropriation of District 2 School Board Member Capital Outlay Funds to Bruner Middle School School for an exterior wall mural in the amount of