Both South Walton High and Butler Elementary will have new principals next year, as well as the new middle school.
The high school and elementary school principals each retired. The new principal for the high school used to be at Niceville, and from what I understand, was instrumental in the development of the college level instruction there. I have not heard any announcement of a new elementary principal.
We are really excited about the new middle school (grade 6 - 8). In the past few years, the middle school has been located within the building of the high school, with it's own teachers, wing, etc, but without it's own identity or principal. It was OK, but not great.
The new school will be in it's own building on the same tract of land as Butler Elementary. Dr. Haro, the new principal for the school has proven himself as an outstanding teacher and leader.
He visited the classrooms of the 5th graders on several occasions to answer questions the children had about the new school. He has put on 3 evening sessions at the high school for parents and students to learn about it. He's even letting the kids vote on the mascot and name for the new school! Current finalists for the name are Emerald Coast Middle School and Coastal Middle School. The mascots might be Sting Rays or Barracudas.
I met him first as my child's algebra teacher and have been extremely pleased with him as a teacher as well, and am not alone with that opinion.
Did I say that there's a lot of excitement about the schools?
:clap_1: