Bob Sikes Elementary School celebrated the opening of its new cafetorium and music classroom last Tuesday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by school officials, local dignitaries and families.
- The ceremony, held April 29, marked the 18th facility improvement completed through Okaloosa County’s Half-Cent Sales Tax initiative, according to Superintendent Marcus Chambers.
“We proudly celebrated the ribbon cutting at Bob Sikes Elementary School, marking the official opening of their new state-of-the-art cafetorium and modern music classroom,” Chambers said. “These impressive additions reflect our continued commitment to providing students with facilities that inspire learning, creativity, and connection.”
Principal Laurren Seegars welcomed attendees, emphasizing how the new space addresses growth needs at the school.
- “Our original cafetorium was built for about 400 to 500 students,” Seegars said. “Knowing that now we serve over 800 students makes a huge difference in how we’re able to use and facilitate with our new building.”
The event included a Pledge of Allegiance led by student Scarlet Hawkins and a tribute to military families delivered by student Allison Weaver in recognition of the Month of the Military Child.
Chambers highlighted how the district has transformed its facilities over the past six years.
- “If we go back six years ago, and if I were to ask you right now to close your eyes and envision all the projects that we did six years ago, seven years ago, eight years ago, you would open your eyes really quickly because there were none,” Chambers said. “We were patching roofs. We were fixing air conditioning systems and we weren’t doing what we’re doing today.”
Additional improvements at Bob Sikes include plans to convert the old cafeteria into classrooms and a new nurse’s facility. The school also received a new teacher’s lounge through a donation from Destiny Worship Center, with School Board member Tim Bryant supporting the future purchase of digital TV displays.
The district’s facility improvement plan includes upcoming projects such as a 10-classroom addition at Baker School, a 30-classroom addition at Destin Elementary, and Pineview, the district’s first new school in nearly 15 years, scheduled to open in August 2026.
