News Herald reports that the Florida Legislature passed the High Performing School District Bill last year to give such districts more flexibility with curriculum and finances. Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties’ school districts were two among eight that originally qualified for the pro-gram.
However, financial audit notations bumped them off the list this year. Meanwhile, the Walton County School District met all requirements and received the designation.
Although Santa Rosa and Okaloosa met all requirements, a few audit citings for the 2005-2006 school year derailed the designation. In Okaloosa’s case, the district overpaid student Pell Grants by more than $300.
Read Okaloosa, Santa Rosa school districts miss ‘high-performing’ status