Consul General of Italy, Gloria Bellelli, will attend the Okaloosa County School Board meeting Monday to sign a formal memorandum of understanding between the Italian government and the district. As part of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program at Eglin Air Force Base, the Italian Air Force is establishing a permanent presence in the area and will enroll Italian students into Okaloosa County schools.

The Italian government, wanting to keep their students current in their native language, will establish the Italian Cooperative Program into select districts schools. The program will offer Italian education taught by its natives. Italian Colonel Igor Bruni said the program, also available to American students, is an effort by the Italian consulate to establish a friendship between the U.S. and Italy.