By Lori Leath Smith
Did you know that more than 700 students ride a bus from Destin to their high schools? But, in the future, it’s likely that Destin’s high school students will have a school to call their own.
Destin Lifers have been discussing the desire for a Destin High School for nearly a decade. However, this past October, Destin High School was officially established as a Florida not-for profit Corporation. Upon approval of the charter application, the new high school could open as early as August 2020.
Destin’s City Council voted in June of 2016 to create a Destin High School Advisory Committee to develop a strategic plan for presentation to the Okaloosa School District. School Financial Services recommended that the committee, comprised of volunteer community leaders, move forward with pursuing a charter school—a lofty goal. But momentum grew and during the past couple of years, extensive research, statistics gathering, and the consideration of potential locations and curriculums have been rewarding.
Collaborative Educational Network (CEN), the consultant chosen to write a charter and obtain approvals, will submit the charter application in February 2019. Upon approval by the Okaloosa County School Board, the school can open August 2020! “While the high school’s charter application is being written, we are one step closer to accomplishing our goal,” says Myra Williams, one of the governing board members and VP of Marketing for Howard Group.
“Timing is always critical, and a school can help to foster more community interaction and bring it together,” says Williams. “Further, the time has come, with the growth of Destin and the influx of more families moving into the area, to establish a school of excellence for Destin’s parents and students. We’ve discussed it long enough and now we’re hopeful for our children and grandchildren to reap the benefits of what we’re establishing now,” she says. Governing Board members’ desires are that the new Destin High School will become a model for innovation, providing unique educational opportunities for both college-bound and vocationally-minded students living along Florida’s Emerald Coast.
“The mission of Destin High School is to prepare students academically, physically and mentally to become responsible, productive, empowered citizens,” says Denise Fountain, one of the governing members and Broker Associate with Beachy Beach Destin Real Estate. “Embracing the area’s history as a tourist destination, military hub, and ‘world’s luckiest fishing village,’ and supported by strong public/private partnerships, our diverse and specialized programs will provide the foundation each student needs to secure a solid future.”
A recent presentation to Destin City Council states that Destin High School will strive to meet the diverse needs of the local community by providing specialized programs and career academies in areas such as Marine Science, Environmental Science, Cybersecurity, Hospitality and Tourism, and Construction (e.g., Carpentry; Electrical; HVAC; Masonry; Plumbing; Construction Technology).
Williams said donations and more committee members are needed to help make it all happen still. “Until the school opens and receives money from the state, it must fundraise to cover expenses, as well as seek grants,” she says.
Phase 1 Goal: $85,000 is for consultant fees to write the charter and provide ongoing expertise until the school opens. It will also cover attorney fees for legal documents and the establishment of Destin High School, Inc., as a not-for-profit entity.
Phase 2 Goal: $500,000 is for facility development, plans, faculty search, operational and startup expenses.
You can help! To support financially contact info@destinhighschool.org or reach out at Facebook/destinhighschool.
There are ample ways to get involved by serving on one of the committees below:
Facilities – This committee is working to identify a facility, research funding sources, work with the architect and the design build firm to plan the facility.
Fundraising – This committee will cultivate relationships in the community and identify potential sources of funding for the school.
Media/Public Relations – This committee will develop press releases and forge contacts within the community to spread the word on the school.
Grant Writing – This committee will research, identify and write grants to support the school.
Web Design/Branding – Initially, this committee will identify companies who can design and maintain the school’s website until a Principal is hired. This committee will also establish guidelines for the branding of the school. (colors, etc).
Finance – This committee will work with School Financial Services and review monthly budgets, cash flow statements, grant proceeds, etc.
Other committees include Curriculum, Nominating, Faculty/ Administration, Operations and Logistics committees.
Currently, three undisclosed properties within Destin’s city limits are being considered. Financial consultants can obtain bonds for the purchase of the property, build the high school, and lease it to the school. Then there would be a future buyout setup once the school is up and running.
The school’s first fundraising event will be hosted at the office of Dr. and Mrs. Bawa on Feb. 7, 2019, for Valentine’s Day. Details on events, updates on funds raised and serving opportunities are available at Facebook/DestinHighSchool.
Views: 0
