History
Between 1979-1980, the Florida legislature appropriated money for a technical center and the Santa Rosa County School Board authorized plans for Phase I of Radford M. Locklin Technical Center on August 28, 1980. Phase I (six buildings) was complete by spring 1982. A dedication ceremony was held March 6, 2982, naming the school in honor of Radford M. Locklin, Santa Rosa County's Superintendent of Schools for twenty-three years.
In August 1982 the school opened with programs including Secretarial & Word Processing, Accounting with Computers, Health Service Aide, Carpentry, Electrical Wiring, Plumbing, Introduction to Computers and Masonry. Secondary students from area high schools and postsecondary students were provided an opportunity for career training. Radford M. Locklin Technical Center’s first completers received certificates in June of 1983.
Phase II was completed in 1989, adding three buildings to the campus. Diversified Cooperative Training, Industrial Cooperative Education, Occupational Training for Learning Disabled, Power Sewing, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating, Welding, Word Processing & Machine Transcription, Automated Accounting, Medical Terminology, Child Care, Culinary Arts and Printing & Graphic Communications were added to the program offerings.
1994 brought completion of Phase III, including the construction of two additional buildings and expansion of existing office space. Computer Electronics and Automotive Service Technology programs were added. In 2002, the New Media Technology program was added and students began construction of the Russell Center conference facility in 2002. The facility opened in 2004 and is now available to the community as a meeting location.
In 2005, as a response to the increased demand for information technology professionals, the Networking and Web Design programs and information technology related certifications began. In 2010, the Pharmacy Technician program began in response to new requirements for certified Pharmacy Technicians to meet regional workforce demands. Most recently, in January 2011, after approval from the Board of Nursing, Locklin Tech began the Licensed Practical Nursing program.
| Year | Mile Stones |
| 1981 | Ground was broken for R. M. Locklin Tech. |
| 1982 | Alice Guidy became Locklin Tech's Principal with Raymond Rogers, Assistant Principal. |
| 1982 | The first students entered Locklin Tech. Phase 1 of construction was completed. Locklin Tech consisted of 6 buildings with 7 programs, 350 students, and 13 staff persons. |
| 1988 | Locklin Tech accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). |
| 1989 | Locklin Tech received $1.2 million for Phase 2 expansion plans. Phase 2 began to include the Business Education, Power Sewing, and Culinary Arts programs and additional administrative offices. |
| 1990 | Raymond Rogers became Principal with Jane Allen as Assistant Principal. The Childcare program was added. |
| 1993 | Locklin Tech was awarded a grant for retrofit, initiating networking and Instructional Television (ITV) throughout the school campus. Phase 3 was initiated to include the Computer Electronics, Printing/Graphic Arts, and Automotive Technology programs. |
| 1995 | Jane Allen became Principal with Charlie Etheredge as Assistant Principal. The Welding Technology program was added. |
| 1997 | Charlie Etheredge became Principal with Cheryl Smith as Assistant Principal. |
| 2003 | Locklin Tech has 16 programs, 40+ staff persons and 400+ students. |
| 2005 | Information Technology Academy added, offering the following industry certified programs: Cisco Networking; Computer Electronics, with CompTIA A+ / Network+ preparation; and Macromedia Web Design. |
| 2007 | Construction Technology Academy added, giving students the opportunity to gain industry recognized credentials through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). |
| January 2008 | Web Design class implements Certified Internet Web CIW© Industry Certification and becomes Academic Training Partner. |
| February 2008 | Charlin Knight became Assistant Principal. |
| April 2008 | Automotive Service Technology achieved ASE certification. |
| June 2008 | Culinary Operations adopted ProStart curriculum. |
| July 2010 | New Media and Pharmacy Technician Programs added. |
| January 2011 | Added LPN program. |
| July 2011 | Charlin Knight became Principal. |
