The Okaloosa County School Board spent part of its regular meeting recognizing the district’s fine and performing arts programs and honoring Crestview High School band director Jody Dunn, who was inducted into the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor.

Superintendent Chambers announced the award and described Dunn’s decades of work at Crestview High School, citing superior ratings at district and state music performance assessments and a long record of honors. Chambers said Dunn has built programs that span elementary through high school and called the recognition “historic.”

Multiple board members and colleagues praised Dunn’s student-first approach and long service. A board member recalled Dunn expanding access so “if there’s room and you want to be, I will find room,” an anecdote cited as emblematic of his outreach to students. Dunn accepted the recognition and said, “I do love Okaloosa County. This is my home,” and thanked former teachers, colleagues and family.

Board leaders also highlighted districtwide success at the regional Music Performance Assessment (MPA). The board’s band liaison said the regional event covered Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties and that “there was only 1 county that had every band make strict superiors, and that’s no surprise, Okaloosa County,” a point repeated by board members as evidence of a strong, generational program.

Superintendent Chambers called forward band directors and drum majors from multiple high schools to receive plaques and brief remarks. The board emphasized the role of music education in student development and noted the programs’ contribution to school culture.

The board paused recognitions to complete the scheduled public hearings and then returned to present plaques and take photos; the meeting continued with routine business afterward.