On Tuesday, June 24th, 2025, the Flagler County School Board held a workshop meeting to discuss various updates and initiatives affecting the district. The meeting opened with a moment of silence, followed by the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem. Board members Lauren Ramirez, Derek Bars, Christy Chong, and Will Furry were present to participate in the discussions. Mr. Bars shared updates on summer programs, highlighting the success of Matanzas High School’s mini football camp and Belair’s packed summer camps, including a t-shirt contest encouraging student creativity. He also reported on his attendance at the Florida School Board Association training in Tampa, noting a $142 increase in per-student funding, totaling $9,130 per student.
Bars encouraged board members to engage with community partners such as Flagler Cares to strengthen support systems for families and students. The agenda was adjusted to move the legislative update after public comments, though no public comments were submitted. John and Bob Sarah from the Sarah Consulting Group, provided an in-depth overview of the recent Florida legislative session. John Sarah explained that while Governor Ron DeSantis secured a reduction in lease tax and Speaker Daniel Perez achieved $1.3 billion in recurring tax cuts, the Senate’s “rural renaissance” initiative did not advance as hoped. The legislative session saw a slight 1.69% increase in the statewide education budget despite a minor decline in student enrollment. However, crucial funding areas such as safe schools and mental health saw no increases for the first time in eight years, despite recent incidents highlighting the need. Bob Sarah noted the challenges districts face with the growth of school choice vouchers, which shift funding away from traditional public schools, complicating budget planning.
Board members expressed that while the district is not in dire condition, tough financial decisions lie ahead. Mr. Bars emphasized the importance of continuing to position Flagler schools as the best choice for students, acknowledging the need for community collaboration and innovation. The legislative update concluded with a preview of upcoming committee meetings and platform development for the next session.
Following the legislative review, the board heard a detailed presentation on the district’s Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan (SER). Kristen Frank, Elementary Literacy Specialist, along with Jamie Everidge and Anna Lowski, outlined the district’s continued focus on improving literacy across all grade levels. They reported encouraging gains, such as a rise in third-grade reading proficiency from 61% to 67%, the highest since 2017. The plan emphasizes data-driven instruction, professional development for teachers and administrators, and early intervention for students with reading deficiencies. The team explained their multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), which involves continuous monitoring, family engagement, and evidence-based interventions to help students reach grade-level reading skills. Board members praised the proactive approach to literacy, noting improvements over recent years and the district’s commitment to addressing challenges in early grades and secondary education.
Discussions highlighted the importance of teacher buy-in, cross-curricular literacy support, and clear communication with families about reading challenges, including dyslexia. The district also stressed partnerships with local VPK providers to ensure kindergarten readiness, with data showing higher readiness rates among students who attended VPK programs. Next, Dr. O’Brien and Mr. Foley presented on the district’s strategic communication goals. They reported a remarkable 93% increase in social media engagement across platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, driven by targeted content and strategic ad buys. A recent campaign promoting VPK enrollment tripled traffic to the program’s webpage. The team plans to expand communication efforts by improving school-level messaging, increasing community outreach, and enhancing crisis communication protocols. Board members suggested involving students in social media management as internships and emphasized the importance of maintaining updated school pages to maximize reach.
The mental health plan update was presented by Miss Williams and Mr. Finelli, outlining the district’s annual application to the Department of Education. The plan focuses on expanding school-based mental health services, training staff, and connecting families with behavioral health resources. The district remains flat-funded in this area but continues to monitor outcomes and improve services.
An important update was given on revisions to the student code of conduct, reflecting recent legislative changes. Mr. Glasco explained new policies on cell phone use, restricting elementary and middle school students from using phones during the school day except for educational purposes as directed. Additionally, new procedures allow for the extension of student expulsions in collaboration with threat management teams to ensure safety and appropriate educational services. The board discussed the importance of clear protocols and family communication regarding behavior documentation and interventions, emphasizing collaborative efforts to support students and maintain safe environments, including on school buses.
Miss Kirkland presented the updated fee schedule for Flagler Technical College for the 2025-26 school year. Most tuition and fees remain unchanged, with minor increases in community education classes such as yoga and Spanish. The district aims to maintain transparency and affordability while aligning with legislative mandates.
Human resources provided a report on high-demand teacher needs, noting ongoing shortages in specialized areas such as school psychologists and speech-language pathologists due to competition with private sector pay. The district is cautiously optimistic, reporting improvements compared to previous years. A new job description for a school choice specialist was introduced by Dr. O’Brien and Mr. Finelli. This professional role will serve as a dedicated liaison to assist families in navigating educational options, including traditional public schools, home education, hybrid models, and scholarship programs. This position expands on a previously clerical role, requiring higher qualifications and expertise to better support families and ensure accurate enrollment and funding processes. Board members welcomed the creation of this position, highlighting its potential to enhance customer service and community engagement.
Finally, Superintendent Moore discussed plans to move district programs into the historic courthouse, temporarily renamed the Flagler Schools Engagement Center for emergency response clarity. The board is considering policy changes regarding building naming procedures to balance community input and operational efficiency.
Board member requests included updates on facility maintenance at Matanzas High School, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and improved tracking of assets and maintenance schedules. The district acknowledged challenges with current manual systems and is exploring technological solutions to improve oversight. Superintendent Moore also announced the opening of the district’s new wellness center, with a ribbon-cutting scheduled for July 8th, and encouraged staff to utilize this valuable health resource. Upcoming events include the Flagler Beach Fourth of July parade, where the district will participate with a decorated float.
