When the Flagler County School Board took its seats this afternoon for a workshop, Colleen Conklin was absent. And so will she be for the next few weeks: being one of the 35 candidates for superintendent, Conklin told her colleagues in an email two hours before the meeting today that she would be taking a leave from all board meetings until the board is expected to vote on a new superintendent on March 10.
“I have the utmost respect for each of you and the superintendent search process,” Conklin wrote. “I understand the challenges and pressure you are under having participated in multiple searches as a school board member myself. Now as an applicant, I recognize both the real and perceived conflicts that have arisen and may continue to arise due to my application.”
Conklin said that she expected no preferential treatment in the selection process, and sought to “ensure that the search for Flagler’s next leader remains above reproach. To accomplish this, I will, as many elected officials from the local level to the federal level have done before me, step away for a short time from my school board responsibilities.”
School Board Chairman Janet McDonald read a statement at the beginning of this afternoon’s workshop that largely paraphrased but did not directly quote Conklin’s email. The statement appears to have been written by Kristy Gavin, the board attorney who has handled all aspects of the superintendent search process in tandem with consultants from the Florida School Board Association.
Conklin’s decision to run sent ripples of questions, enthusiasm, apprehension and some criticism through the community. Conklin had appointed four of the 20 members of a citizens advisory panel that meets this evening for the first time to cull through the 35 applications and prepare a short list to send to the school board. Each board member appointed four members. But Gavin announced Friday that the four Conklin appointees would not be seated. One of those four, Stephen Furnari, wrote critically of Conklin’s decision as well as Gavin’s decision, which was done outside the parameters of a school board meeting.
Conklin has previously said that if she were to not get the superintendent position, she would resume her duties as a board member and run again this year, for what would be her sixth term. She compared her leave of absence to a medical or family or personal leave. “I believe it is in the best interest of the School Board, the District and our community to recuse myself from Flagler County School Board business until March 17th. or until a new superintendent is named by the board.”
The board has set March 10 as the date when it would vote to hire the new superintendent, at a special meeting. That means Conklin would miss just one regular business meeting between now and then, not including special meetings or the March 17 meeting when, presumably, she would either way take one of two seats on the dais at the Government Services Building. Meanwhile, she will have missed today’s agenda workshop, an information workshop and a business meeting on Feb. 18, another agenda workshop on March 3 and the information workshop ahead of the March 17 meeting. Conklin has almost always monitored from afar whatever meeting she’s not attended–or reviewed the tapes.
Interviewed briefly today, for instance, she was monitoring the still-ongoing workshop (as candidates for such positions routinely do as well, even when they’re not board members).
“I will only be missing one business meeting,” she said in the interview, explaining that her time away would have limited effect. “Any major changes to policy really takes 60 days, between advertising, adoption, workshopping and having it placed onto an agenda item.” She does not expect policy changes in her absence. “In fairness to the board members and to the comm and everyone involved it’s better if I remove myself from the situation at this point in time,” she said.
Asked if the community should read into her leave of absence any hesitancy or second thoughts about her decision to run for superintendent, Conklin answered categorically: “Absolutely not, if anything I want my application to be taken very seriously.”
In her email, Conklin wrote: “I want to be clear that I have every expectation of resuming my duties upon completion of the search. And regardless of the outcome, will continue in the same professional fashion as I have in the past. Temporarily stepping aside, would remove all from any possible conflicts, perceived or real and allow your focus and attention to be on all superintendent candidates. Additionally, I want to signal to all other applicants that I intend for this to be a fair and just process, and that I will participate in that process just as they will.
The $3,000 to $4,000 Conklin is expected to earn from her board salary while away will be donated to the Flagler Education Foundation, the district’s non-profit arm, she said.
“I have full confidence that this is the best decision for me, my family, this community, and the school district,” she wrote her colleagues. “I apologize in advance for the difficult position this has put each of you in. I have full confidence that this board will make the best decision for the future of Flagler County Schools.”
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Percy's mother says
So she’s missing ONE meeting. Many highly educated people here in Flagler County. We’re not dumb (at least some of us). This is a PR stunt.
The whole thing stinks. (as noted above, “But Gavin announced Friday that the four Conklin appointees would not be seated. One of those four, Stephen Furnari, wrote critically of Conklin’s decision as well as Gavin’s decision, which was done outside the parameters of a school board meeting”).
After attending the Monday morning, 2/3, BOCC meeting, and as well, the school board meeting last week, I think it’s time for a thorough school board and BOCC attorney (Hadeed) house cleaning. After 20 years, anyone becomes stale in the same (school board) or similar (Superintendent) role. Time for Ms. Conklin to move on in life, aside from the Flagler County School Board, and as well, Flagler County politics. She’s earned a legit doctorate (not a fake one like some other people), and there are plenty of other places she can go so as to become un-stale. Perhaps searching out another assistant professorship and/or an associate professorship would be a better alternative for her, and as well, more intellectually stimulating.
Jimbo99 says
As noble a gesture as it is, still doesn’t change the fact that 4 advisory board appointees remain from Conklin’s current term. Stepping aside this close to the finish line for a decision ?
From the other linked article:
“As you are aware, the committee’s final recommendation to the school board is non-binding. The integrity of the committee process could be maintained simply by having Conklin’s nominees abstain from voting on, or discussing, her application at committee meetings.
The committee is not choosing the next superintendent. It is merely advising the school board about several applicants that community members feel deserve a closer look. School board members ultimately have the right to accept or reject the committee’s recommendations.”
There still is an insider’s presence to the process that may influence or give the impression of an influence in the process. If none of the other candidates have a insider’s presence. Conklin stepped aside, her 4 appointees should consider at least limiting their role/duties at the very least as well ? The next step that logically follows, One or several of the 4 appointees goes after Conklin’s vacated position running for that, in the event Conklin is selected as the superintendent. Would Conklin endorse that individual as superintendent ?
Brandon Cross says
Just thinking… I don’t know Colleen Conklin…yet… she has the education and first hand experience with the Flagler County…
Seems like a Slam Dunk for citizens, particularly the children in our community.
Take Action says
You can’t have your cake and eat it too. There is a conflict when an elected official decides to pull a stunt like this and want to keep her elected seat warm as a secuirty guard should she not be appointed. Conklin needs to resign and do the right thing. She is playing politics with her elected position and this is not what we voters elected an elected official to do. Either she is in or she is out!!! She can’t have it both ways. For the School Board attorney to write anything or to even be involved is the Conklin using her public position for personal gain. This is soley a personal choice and matter and he should be hiring her own private attorney and not letting the tax payers foot the bill for her personal agenda. This is all so wrong, and an investigation needs to be sought. If we can take action against a school principal who is a man of color, action should be taken against this white female for unethical schennigans as this.
Karen says
Color has nothing to do with this. The whole thing is wrong.
Lil Bird says
Such a pity folks around these parts don’t like a bold move by a local woman with brains. She might actually get a leadership position and they complain her PhD doesn’t read Education or she’s never been this or that. Well, folks, its a legal move & though perhaps ill-timed (why not months prior), full of energy & passion for what’s best for kids of Flagler. Conklin has always been a voice of the people & trendsetter in Flagler and I hope she’s given a fair chance & not rejected for fear or any other veiled excuse. Personally her NOT being part of the establishment clique of administrators coming to town peddling their baggage that failed somewhere else or looking for a resume notch for their soft skills is a ASSET for real change & real kids in Flagler
Brandon Cross says
Just Sayin…
My humble opinion is Conklin is our best choice… Her experience on the School Board is exceptional.
Please … can we take politics out of this???
Truly of the candidates…there is No One Better qualified..?
Please open your eyes!!!
Let me also include this disclaimer…
To this best of knowledge I have NEVER met her, never had any communication with her…
I do have a strong background as an Associate Professor at a major University teaching courses at the graduate level in Organizational Management and also Critical Thinking.
Brandon Cross says
Agree