By Tracy McCormick-Dishman
The Nassau County School Board unanimously approved a policy Jan. 8, allowing graduating seniors with verified military enlistments to wear authorized military stoles, cords and regalia during commencement ceremonies.
The policy, proposed by School Board Vice Chair Joe Zimmerman, formally recognizes students who commit to military service while preserving ceremonial standards of graduation exercises.
“This is about respect for service, respect for tradition, and for the significance of the commitment these young men and women are making,” Zimmerman said in a release regarding the vote. “When a student raises their right hand and volunteers to serve this country, that decision deserves to be acknowledged by the community they represent.”
Zimmerman noted the policy aligns with existing Florida law, including Senate Bill 292, which protects the right of students to wear their military dress uniforms at graduation. Similar policies have been adopted by other Florida school districts.
“This policy is about bringing clarity and consistency to an issue where Florida has already set a clear direction,” Zimmerman said.
The policy takes effect beginning with the next graduating class.
Spotlights and Recognitions
Before tackling the business agenda, the board recognized several standout members of the school community during the Jan. 8 meeting.
The board honored three “Volunteers of the Year” for their service to district schools.
- Youth Volunteer of the Year: Sawyer Johnson of Callahan Elementary School, who tutors students and greets them at car drop-off in the mornings.
- Adult Volunteer of the Year: Liz Hinchliff of Yulee Middle School, recognized for her work with the drama program and Future Business Leaders of America.
- Senior Volunteer of the Year: Karen Seeley of Callahan Intermediate School, a retired educator who returns to support ESE students.
“We could not do any of the work that we do without the volunteers that cover up our schools on a regular basis,” Superintendent Kathy Burns said.
The board also recognized Fernandina Beach High School student Emily Mersrow as the district’s 2025-2026 Sunshine State Scholar. Mersrow, who holds a 4.67 weighted GPA, was selected for her excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and will represent the district in Orlando.
Additionally, school bookkeepers Susan Kegley and Gregory Slurf were honored for achieving perfect school audits.
Caitlin’s Ride for Autism
Mandy Connor, mother of Yulee High senior Kaitlyn Connor, appeared before the board to announce the 13th annual “Kaitlin’s Ride for Autism,” scheduled for April 18.
Connor announced that the event committee had selected Krista Hodges as the honorary grand marshal in memory of Scott Hodges, a former administrator and advocate for autism awareness who passed away.
Connor presented a check for $1,500 to the district’s ESE department and an additional $500 donation to Hilliard Elementary School for selling the most autism awareness shirts last year.
Other board business
The board voted unanimously to approve a school affiliation agreement with Baptist Health Systems. The agreement allows Nassau County students in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program to return to Baptist facilities to complete their required clinical hours.
Board members also approved the 2025-26 Instructional Materials Manual. During the board’s Jan. 5 workshop, staff noted that the manual was updated to reflect current administrative rules regarding book objections.
According to workshop discussions, the district currently has nearly 200 book challenges outstanding. A newly formed statutory compliance team has reviewed 60 books over the last three months, averaging about 20 reviews per month.
The board also voted to advertise revisions to Administrative Rule 5.12 regarding student out-of-zone transfers, setting the stage for a final vote at a future meeting.
Upcoming Meetings
The school board announced a series of upcoming joint meetings with local government bodies:
- Jan. 27: Joint meeting with the Board of County Commissioners at 6 p.m..
- Feb. 2: Joint meeting with the Town of Callahan at 6 p.m..
- Feb. 5: Joint meeting with the Town of Hilliard at 6 p.m..
- Feb. 10: Joint meeting with the Fernandina Beach City Commission at 6 p.m. at the district office.
