Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Okaloosa Students outperform the nation
While the national* mean dropped five points on the 2006 Critical Reading SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) students showed a four point improvement over last year. In math, Okaloosa's mean score rose six points, while the national mean decreased by two points.
As a result of this improvement, Okaloosa students' mean of 525 for Critical Reading is now a full 22 points above the national figure. In math, Okaloosa's mean is 532, 14 points above the national mean of 518.
The gap between Okaloosa students' SAT results and those of students across the state is even more pronounced. The mean for all Florida students is 496 for Critical Reading - 29 points less than that of OSCD students. In math, Florida students scored 497 -- 35 points fewer than those in OCSD.
This was the first year of scoring on the writing section of the SAT, and once again, Okaloosa students outshone their peers. With a mean score of 506, they beat the nation by nine points and the state of Florida by 26.
"We are proud of our test scores, even though we know there is always room for improvement," states Dr. Diane Kelley, Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction for the district. "Our goal is to increase the number of number of students taking the SAT and ACT, as well as to increase the number of scholarships to our students."
Okaloosa students also fared well on the ACT (American College Test.) Their mean composite score was 21.8, which was fully 1.5 points higher than the rest of the state and 0.7 points higher than the national mean.
"I am very pleased with the reports," adds Curriculum Specialist Shawnea Tallman. "But it is a whole new ballgame, where we are making global comparisons. In math and science, we are setting our sights well beyond the national average."
* "National" scores actually refer to the scores of all test-takers. A small percentage of the test-takers are from other countries, such as Canada.
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Okaloosa County Vice Chair Named
Okaloosa County Commission Chair, Vice-Chair Named for 2008
Commissioner James Campbell and Commissioner Bill Roberts are Chair-Elect and Vice-Chair-Elect, respectively, for the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners
"I have great confidence in their ability to carry Okaloosa County forward,"
stated current Commission Chair Don Amunds.
Commissioner Campbell, who served as Vice-Chair in 2007, represents District 5.
Campbell was selected for the 2007-08 Edition of Who's Who in the national Heritage Registry for his service to local government.
Commissioner Roberts is a native of the Okaloosa County, and he serves District 3. Roberts also has a history of public service, as a past councilman and mayor of Ft. Walton Beach.
Commissioners Campbell and Roberts will assume their new roles at the first Board meeting in January. Commission Chair James Campbell and Vice-Chair Bill Roberts both have offices in the Water & Sewer Administration Building, and can be reached at (850) 651-7105. Commissioner Roberts also has an office in Crestview and can be reached at 689-5030. Both can be emailed from the Okaloosa County web site at http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/.
Commissioner James Campbell and Commissioner Bill Roberts are Chair-Elect and Vice-Chair-Elect, respectively, for the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners
"I have great confidence in their ability to carry Okaloosa County forward,"
stated current Commission Chair Don Amunds.
Commissioner Campbell, who served as Vice-Chair in 2007, represents District 5.
Campbell was selected for the 2007-08 Edition of Who's Who in the national Heritage Registry for his service to local government.
Commissioner Roberts is a native of the Okaloosa County, and he serves District 3. Roberts also has a history of public service, as a past councilman and mayor of Ft. Walton Beach.
Commissioners Campbell and Roberts will assume their new roles at the first Board meeting in January. Commission Chair James Campbell and Vice-Chair Bill Roberts both have offices in the Water & Sewer Administration Building, and can be reached at (850) 651-7105. Commissioner Roberts also has an office in Crestview and can be reached at 689-5030. Both can be emailed from the Okaloosa County web site at http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/.
Okaloosa County customers can pay water bill by phone
Customers Can Pay Water Bills with a Phone Call
A new computerized phone system is now activated at Okaloosa County Water & Sewer. The system will allow customers to hear information about their account as well as make a payment using Visa, MasterCard and Discover. "We strive to improve our service to the customer, and I want to reassure customers that they can transfer out of the system anytime, by simply pressing "O" for the Operator, if they would like to talk to a person," stated Director Jeff Littrell. "Additionally, we are working to include the American Express credit card in the near future."
The system, which is programmed in English and Spanish, will also have the capability to call all customers and advise them of their past due balance, allow them to make a payment or call the office to make arrangements to avoid being cutoff.
Water and sewer payments can still be made online from the Okaloosa County web site, www.co.okaloosa.fl.us. For more information, call 850-651-7171,
A new computerized phone system is now activated at Okaloosa County Water & Sewer. The system will allow customers to hear information about their account as well as make a payment using Visa, MasterCard and Discover. "We strive to improve our service to the customer, and I want to reassure customers that they can transfer out of the system anytime, by simply pressing "O" for the Operator, if they would like to talk to a person," stated Director Jeff Littrell. "Additionally, we are working to include the American Express credit card in the near future."
The system, which is programmed in English and Spanish, will also have the capability to call all customers and advise them of their past due balance, allow them to make a payment or call the office to make arrangements to avoid being cutoff.
Water and sewer payments can still be made online from the Okaloosa County web site, www.co.okaloosa.fl.us. For more information, call 850-651-7171,
Eglin Air Force Base Natural Resources
Eglin AFB is also home to more than 93 rare or listed plant species and animal species, 63 of which are considered globally rare. Included in this list is the endangered Okaloosa darter, which is found in only six creek systems in the central portion of the air force base. Eglin has the largest contiguous acreage of old-growth longleaf pine in the world and the fourth largest red-cockaded woodpecker population. This area is a site on the Great Florida Birding Trail offering both inland and barrier island birding opportunities. The Anderson Pond Recreation Area is open to the public year-round. Just off Highway 85, 3 miles north of Niceville, this area has an elevated boardwalk, a picnic shelter, a pier, and camping area. All the facilities are handicapped accessible. For specific information regarding outdoor recreational opportunities on Eglin AFB contact the Natural Resources Branch at (850) 882-4164.
Eglin AFB
Eglin AFB covers 464,000 acres in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. An Eglin permit is required to access approximately 280,000 acres of the Eglin reservation conditionally open to public recreation. Outdoor recreation permits and a comprehensive map and regulation summary are available from the Natural Resources Branch office (commonly known as Jackson Guard) located at 107 Hwy 85 North, in Niceville. All or portions of the Eglin reservation are subject to closure during military testing/training operations. Eglin has many outstanding natural features and bountiful outdoor recreational opportunities. Popular activities include: excellent deer, turkey and feral hog hunting; mobility impaired and youth Special Opportunity Hunts; fishing Eglin's 21 ponds; primitive camping; canoeing scenic waters; mountain biking in the Timberlake Recreation Area; and hiking the Florida National Scenic Trail.
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