Board of County Commissioners and School Board Host Annual Joint Meeting

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners and the Nassau County School Board hosted their annual joint meeting. The meeting began with a presentation by School Superintendent Kathy Burns who shared an update on the overall School District. First, she shared that for the very first time, all Nassau County Schools have received an A Rating from the Florida Department of Education, and that the Nassau County School District is currently ranked first in the State!  The Nassau County School District has also been designated as an Academically High-Performing School District, one of only 10 in the entire State.  

Other topics presented by Dr. Burns included an overview of their new Aspiring Principal's Academy for all Assistant Principals to prepare for future Principal positions; career and technical education courses available at schools across the county;  a new tiny-home at the Yulee High School that will serve as a training facility for students with disabilities to learn life skills; Yulee High School's Naval Cadet Program; a 911 Telecommunications Program; the Aquaponics Program at Hilliard High School; and overall school safety.

Following Dr. Burns' presentation, the Boards discussed items of mutual concern.  A big topic of discussion is how new schools get constructed. Did you know that the Board of County Commissioners, nor the School District get to determine when a County gets a new school? These decisions are made at the State level and only after a recommendation by the Department of Education.  Other discussions took place around capacity monitoring and use of School Board impact fees. 

Overall, both Boards found the meeting to be informative and productive, providing valuable insight into shared challenges and opportunities. The annual joint meeting continues to serve as an important forum for open dialogue, allowing both parties to better understand one another’s roles and work collaboratively to support the needs of a growing community.

The Board of County Commissioners extends its sincere thanks to the Nassau County School District for its outstanding achievements, continued innovation, and unwavering commitment to student success. The County appreciates the District’s hard work and dedication and looks forward to continuing this strong partnership to enhance the quality of life for Nassau County residents.

Residents can watch the Joint Meeting on the Clerk of Court's website.