School Liaison Program

Welcome to Hurlburt Field! Your School Liaison (SL) is the central point of contact for commanders, community stakeholders, military-connected families, and educators on PreK-12 education related matters.

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Meet Your School Liaison

Dr. Mackinley Cross, the School Liaison for Hurlburt Field. As School Liaison, Mackinley’s mission is to provide unwavering support, advocacy, and partnership initiatives aimed at generating real-time solutions for military-connected students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 as they face global educational challenges and transitions.

As the installation’s subject matter expert on education issues, Dr. Cross serves as a key advisor to the Command Team on PreK-12 trends, challenges, and successes impacting the community. 

Dr. Cross has been assigned to Hurlburt Field since September 2024. Prior to her assignment, she was a public educator for twenty years. She has taught across the United States, as well as for Department of Defense Education Activity, Pacific East. She is a proud Air Force brat, Navy spouse, and Coast Guard mom.

Biography

School Liaison Program

Where You Find Military-connected Students, You Find School Liaisons Working Hard To Ensure Their Success.

Command Advisor

The School Liaison advises installation Command Teams on PreK-12 matters impacting military-connected families and communities.

Support

School Liaisons provide military-connected families with a one-stop shop for information, resources, and referrals impacting student success.

Solutions

School Liaisons cultivate real-time, individualized solutions by utilizing available resources including legislation and policy to provide families with positive outcomes.

Information

The School Liaison Program provides information to support transitions, deployments, college, career, military readiness, student sponsorships, community programming, scholarships, and more.

Connections

The School Liaison works to build partnerships that connect and equip schools, families, and communities to meet the unique needs of PreK-12 military-connected students.

Transitions

The School Liaison Program constructs networks of military, community, and educational resources to assist with military-connected students with transitions and help provide the social and emotional support needed to thrive.

The hallmark to force retention is the expectation that families are safe and well supported. Strong families improve mission readiness. The School Liaison Program provides military children the opportunity to thrive academically, socially and emotionally, regardless of duty station, deployments, or transition status.

Finding My School

The parent/guardian’s physical residence determines the public school district and school zone your student will attend. Find your student’s assigned school zone by visiting the district websites at Okaloosa County School District or Santa Rosa County District Schools

Okaloosa County School District (OCSD)

Santa Rosa County School District (SRCDS)

Students living on the base are zoned:

  • Florosa Elementary, a small percentage Mary Esther Elementary
  • Bruner Middle School
  • Fort Walton Beach High School

Parents Have Options. Choose Your School.

Active duty members who are base residents with military-connected students now have the option to do school of choice. This means parents may send their student to any school in any district up to the school’s functional capacity. It is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation for their student to and from school.

School Liaison Directory

Rest assured, School Liaisons are working together to provide support to students and families throughout the world. No matter where your military service takes you, we will be there to assist you in making a positive school transition. A worldwide listing of School Liaison can be found at: School Liaison Directory

School Websites

Public Schools
Home Education
Private Schools

Educational Resources

News & Events

Impact Aid Survey

Impact Aid Program 101