Dr. Lamar White

Okaloosa County School Board Member

District 1
Elected 2014, Re-elected 2018 - 2nd Term Ends 2022

Following Lamar’s retirement from the Okaloosa school system in 2012, after serving the students, teachers, parents, and citizens of Okaloosa County for 35 years as a teacher, coach, administrator and principal (26 years: 1986-2012), Lamar was elected to the Okaloosa County School Board on August 26, 2014. Lamar was sworn in as the District 1 Okaloosa School Board member on November 18, 2014.

Lamar has worked for the citizens of Okaloosa County in many different capacities over the last 40 years. With a strong work ethic and commitment to public service, Lamar has worked alongside teachers, parents, and volunteers to make a positive difference in the lives of our youngest citizens.

Background

Lamar White first arrived in Okaloosa County at the age of seven in 1961 when his father Leon L. White, Sr. left service in the U.S. Army (combat veteran, Korea) and began his new civil service career at Eglin A.F.B. Leon was very involved in early Okaloosa County and even helped to establish the Pee Wee Football League in the City of Fort Walton Beach. Leon was also a past District Governor of the Lions Club. Leon coached many of the area’s finest football players during those early years of the Fort Walton Beach Gators. Lamar’s mother, Mary White, was a teacher at Pryor Junior High. Lamar played football for his father, attended local schools, and graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in 1971. During these early years, Lamar also developed a passion for outdoor sports such as fishing, hunting, tennis, and surfing.

At Pryor and Choctaw, Lamar played football, and in 1970, Lamar dated the love of his life, Connie Russell who first arrived in Okaloosa County in 1959 with her Air Force father, Colonel F.M. Russell who was a fighter pilot in WWII/P-47 & P-51; Korea/F-86; and Vietnam/F-105. Colonel Russell was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.

In 1972, Lamar and Connie were married while they attended college full-time and worked in part-time jobs. Following graduation from college in 3 years, Connie began to work as an English teacher at Fort Walton Beach High School. Lamar became a teacher and coach (football, tennis, & cross country) at Choctawhatchee. In 1978, their son Ben was born. Ben lives in Destin, works as a software engineer for a local defense contractor, and is married to Bethany (Dalmau) whose family also resides in Destin.

After teaching for 34 years, Connie retired from her teaching position at Choctawhatchee High School in 2008. During Lamar’s 35 year career with the Okaloosa School District, Lamar worked at every level - as a high school teacher and coach, elementary school principal, district staff member, adjunct college professor, and middle school principal. In his final position, Lamar served as the principal of Meigs Middle School for 11 years working with teachers and parents to earn Florida “A” school grades every year for superior student academic performance.

Lamar has always placed a strong emphasis on academic achievement for students, and he strongly supports the fine and performing arts. In high school, Lamar enjoyed speech and debate and serves as a reviewer for Voice and Speech Review, a scholarly publication of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association. From his own experiences, Lamar believes that extracurricular activities also play an important role in student development and further enhance student academic achievement.

Lamar and Connie are very active in Okaloosa County and have resided in Shalimar for the past 35 years.

Academic Credentials

Doctorate: Educational Leadership, Florida State University
Master of Arts: American History, University of West Florida
Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, University of West Florida

Education Experience

Principal of Meigs Middle School, Ruckel Middle School, Plew Elementary, & Ocean City
Elementary; District Administrator; Adjunct College Professor; Assistant Principal; High School Teacher; & High School Coach

Selected Awards

Florida Designated Master Teacher
Who’s Who in American Education
Twice elected “Outstanding Professor” in College of Education graduate school at UWF
13 consecutive Florida “A” school grades while serving as principal of 3 different schools
Designated a “Mentor Principal”
Multiple High School District Athletic Championships as a Coach
Member Phi Alpha Theta National Historical Honorary Society
Past President Okaloosa Middle School Athletic Conference

Community and Civic Involvement

Member of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Member of Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce
Member of Various Political Clubs
Former Member of Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce
Former Member of Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce
Member of Panhandle Animal Welfare Society
Former Kiwanis member (Fort Walton Beach & Niceville)
Former YMCA Volunteer Coach
Former Shalimar Volunteer Coach
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity
[Connie White - former member Emerald Coast Junior League]

Schools

Contact Information

Dr. Lamar White - District 1
Okaloosa County School Board
120 Lowery Place
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Office number: 850.833.5895
Fax number: 850.833.6384
Email: Lamar.White@okaloosaschools.com

Contact information