Responding to parents’ concerns, the Flagler school district is rolling out a pair of systems that will vastly increase potential controls and limits on students’ computer usage at school and at home.
Flagler County School Board
Between Umbras and Penumbras, Flagler Schools and Others Ready For Great Eclipse
The greatest solar eclipse to cross the United States since 1918 on Aug. 21 has the Flagler school district and others talking safety, best viewing practices and Palm Coast time checks.
Flagler’s Elementary Schools Will Accommodate New Requirement
of 20 Minutes of Recess Per Day
A new law requires districts to provide 100 minutes a week of free-play recess, outside of phys-ed classes, in elementary schools. Flagler was already providing close to that.
Flagler Is a B-Rated School District For 5th Year In a Row, But State Ranking Keeps Rising
Indian Trails Middle and Old Kings Elementary returned to A form, FPC climbed to a B, but Wadsworth Elementary fell to a C. Other schools maintained their grades–either B or C.
Flagler School Board Apprehensive of Changes in Law Affecting Charters, Recess and Religion
One law is altering the relationship between the district and its charter schools and imposing new requirements on eligibility for Bright Futures, and other laws will have broad impacts.
How the Education Bill Scott Signed Thursday Will Hurt Flagler Schools, Favoring Charters
The Flagler school district is now 64th out of 67 in per-pupil funding, and the bill Gov. Scott signed today will force the district to turn over more money to charter schools.
At International Competition, FPC’s Teams Take Grand Champion and 1st, Bunnell Takes 2nd
An FPC team’s project designed to cater to those who cater to the sick in hospitals won grand champion, the project that built bat houses to combat the Zika virus won first place.
Flagler Students Make Gains In Almost Every Discipline, Ranking in State’s Upper Half or Third
By almost every measure, Flagler students improved their English, math, science and social science scores, year over year, according to 2017 test results released today.
1st Shake-Up of New Superintendent’s Tenure Elevates Matanzas Principal to District Leadership Job
Matanzas High’s Earl Johnson moves to a top leadership position at the district office, Wadsworth Principal John Fanelli takes over Buddy Taylor Middle School, and Nathan Lovelette takes over the virtual academy.
The Live Interview
Six Questions For James Tager, Superintendent
James Tager, who begins as Superintendent June 1, answers questions about his temperament, open government, transgender rights, zero tolerance and other issues.
Flagler 3rd Graders’ Reading Scores Jump, And Exceed State Average By 11 Points
The Flagler school district average of 69 percent of students at proficiency or better exceeds the state average of 58 by 11 points as every elementary school showed strong improvement.
School Board Veto Call to Scott: “Legislators Didn’t Follow Basic Tenets We Teach Students in 7th Grade Civics”
The Flagler County School Board complete letter to Gov. Rick Scott asking him to veto an education bill that would “shortchange” Flagler County students. The bill was passed at the last minute with little discussion.
House Bill 7069 Will Change Education in Flagler For Generations, Not For the Better
Flagler County School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker explains his opposition to a massive education bill, focusing on the bill’s preferential treatment of charter schools at the expense of traditional public schools.
Gov. Scott Faces Increasing Pressure to Veto Education Bill, Including From Flagler District
The Flagler County School Board joined its voice to a growing chorus of demands from across the state that Gov. Rick Scott veto a massive education bill opponents consider damaging to school districts.
Middle and High School Students Can Rejoice: ID Cards May Be Carried Through Cell Phone
The Flagler School Board is set to approve a rule change in June that would allow students no longer to have to wear their ID badges, and to show them through their cell phone if requested, come the 2017-18 school year.
School Board Awards Superintendent Tager $135,000 Contract Plus Performance Bonuses
James Tager’s full compensation package, before incentives kick in, is $154,200, with $5,000-worth of recurring bonuses if he pushes the district to earn an A and improves its graduation rate.
It’s James Tager: School Board Picks Volusia District Veteran for Superintendent in Rare Unanimous Vote
The unanimous vote for the Volusia County principal and former deputy superintendent is a rare sign of agreement for a school board that has had difficulties finding common ground in the last months.
James Tager Clear Favorite for Superintendent as Stilted Process Nears Vote Tonight
Flagler County School Board members left little doubt in a 50-minute discussion this morning that Volusia County’s James Tager is by far their first choice. But the process has been starkly constrained.
School Bus Driver Cited For Carelessness in Crash After “Clearly” Violating Right-Of-Way
Wilrick A. Woods, 60, got a $166 citation for careless driving after driving his school bus in the path of an SUV, whose driver suffered severe injuries in a crash Monday.
Short of Stellar, FPC and Matanzas Earn Bronze and Silver in U.S. News’ High School Rankings
Matanzas came in at 160 in the state and 2,297 in the nation, getting silver, FPC came in at 183 in the state and did not get a national ranking, though its IB program’s achievements were not calculated as in previous years’ rankings.
Flagler Schools Superintendent Interviews: James Tager
James Tager, the closest thing to a home-grown candidate for the Flagler County School Superintendent job, projected confidence, fluent knowledge of local and state issues and quite a bit of familiarity with Flagler schools.
Flagler Schools Superintendent Interviews: Gerald Wilson
In approach and demeanor, Gerald Wilson echoed Janet Valentine, the superintendent who preceded Jacob Oliva: not much excitability or charisma, but solid knowledge and deference to process.
Flagler Schools Superintendent Interviews: Jeff Umbaugh
Jeff Umbaugh was energetic, congenial, discursive, fast-talking, quick to take verbal tangents or make the occasional humorous aside, but mostly, he spoke in generalities and clichés.
Rocky Superintendent Search Jarred Again as Phyllis Edwards Withdraws Candidacy
With the latest top candidate to drop out, the Flagler County School Board’s search for a new superintendent is turning into a poorly scripted season of Survivor.
2 Teens Face Felonies For Firing BB Gun at Full School Bus and Vehicles on Belle Terre
There were 40 students returning from Bunnell Elementary when the school bus was the target of boys allegedly firing a BB and an air soft gun at the vehicle on Belle Terre Boulevard Wednesday afternoon.
As One More Name Drops Out, Board Settles On 4 Candidates For Superintendent Interviews
James Tager, the principal at Atlantic High School in Volusia County, is the front-runner, getting all five board members’ nod, in an otherwise more fractured field as yet another top candidate dropped out.
Eyes on International Prizes, Flagler’s Problem Solvers Launch Flocking Fund-Raising Season
Two mayors, two county commissioners and a school board member gathered Monday for the launch of Flagler Schools’ Future Problem Solvers’ fund-raising season to help send 51 students to international competition in Wisconsin in June.
Even Withdrawn, Orndorff’s Name Pervades Superintendent Search, and Accents Divide
A divide between those favoring internal candidates over those favoring the broader search continues to inform the Flagler County School Board’s superintendent hiring process even after the only internal candidate withdrew his name.
In Superintendent Search, Five Accomplished Candidates From Near and Far Make Shortlist
The shortlist, drawn up Tuesday evening, includes a Palm Coast resident with a long history in Flagler schools, a Volusia County principal, a Clay County administrator and two candidates from Kentucky.
Flagler Schools Lose the Only Internal Applicant for Top Job as Vernon Orndorff Takes Post in Texas
Orndorff has been one of the quieter, unassuming forces of the school district, had been a leading candidate to be superintendent. His departure creates more of a wild-card opening for the remaining three dozen or so applicants.
Two Students Involved In Exaggerated Gun Threat at Buddy Taylor Middle School
Texts alleging a gun threat at Buddy Taylor but that are apparently a month old have resurfaced in the past 24 hours, causing concern at school and the apprehension of at least one student.
Superintendent’s Job Draws Just 41 Applicants, And A Few Stand-Outs After All
The district’s Vernon Orndorff is the only local applicant. He faces definite competition from Phyllis Edwards, a former assistant superintendent in Flagler, and Todd Sprager, the principal at Spruce Creek High School in Volusia.
“Insulted” By Chairman Tucker’s Grip On Information Flow, School Board’s Conklin Calls For Rethink Of Rules
Flagler School Board member Colleen Conklin wanted the board and staff to review a state report. Trevor Tucker objected, absent a majority of the board agreeing. That caused an unusual clash and rethink of etiquette on the board.
At Belle Terre Elementary, 60 Readers Get In Black History Groove With Ellington, Tar Beach and Even Cops
Belle Terre Principal Terence Culver wanted to atone for ignoring Black History Month for five years by hosting a read-in featuring community leaders including the sheriff, many cops and firefighters, school board members, the Palm Coast mayor and many more.
Survey Gives You Chance To Tell Flagler School Board What You Want In Next Superintendent
As part of its search to replace Superintendent Jacob Oliva, the board is making an electronic survey available to residents, including school employees and students, and seeking as much participation as possible.
Woody’s Joe Rizzo Named Director of Flagler Education Foundation, Replacing Williams
Joe Rizzo, a Flagler native and part-owner of several local restaurants, will diminish his role there to take up the full-time job at the foundation, on whose board he’s served for eight years, one of them as president.
School Board Adopts Hasty Plan to Hire Next Superintendent in Broad Search By May 2
The Flagler School Board Friday approved a want-ad and using the Florida School Board Association to lead the search, marginalizing what influence a local advisory committee may have and replicating the speedy process adopted three years ago.
Divided School Board Blocks Internal Hire of Next Superintendent, Opting for Fast Search
In a 3-2 split, Flagler School Board members opted against cutting short the search for Superintendent Jacob Oliva with an immediate, internal hire despite the risks of an expedited, broader search to fill the position by June 1.
Why Are Flagler Schools Talking Rezoning Despite 2,000 Empty Seats? One Word: Choice
Old Kings and Belle Terre elementaries are overcapacity because they’ve allowed too many out-of-zone students to enroll. Some Board members want limits on such “choice” enrollments before rezoning takes place.
School Board’s 1st Step in Replacing Jacob Oliva: Figuring Out How Broad of a Search
The Flagler School Board wants to hear from the state board association whether it should seek help through that route, though it intends to appoint a local citizen’s search committee as well.
Flagler Superintendent Jacob Oliva Is Named Florida Vice Chancellor for K-12 Education, Will Leave in June
Superintendent Jacob Oliva’s three-year tenure has been largely controversy-free and saw the expansion of technology and classroom-to-career programs. He leaves in May.
School Board’s Trevor Tucker Mulls Run for Tax Collector, Nate McLaughlin Eyes House Seat
School Board member Trevor Tucker confirmed he was considering a run for tax collector in four years, and if so would not run for school board again in 2018, while Commissioner Nate McLaughlin has his eyes on Paul Renner’s House seat in 2022.
Flagler School Board Finds New Way to Recite The Pledge: With Pixels and iPhone For All
In a retreat at Cattlemen’s Hall on the county fairgrounds today, the Flagler School Board faced a dilemma: there was no flag to which to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. A minor debate ensued, then Superintendent Jacob Oliva found a solution.
In “Retreat,” Flagler School Board Meets to Revamp Its Rules as Tucker Seeks Streamlining
The public is not likely to detect too many changes, other than the obvious reduction in actual meetings, which will be cut in half. But more subtle changes will be apparent.
Flagler Schools’ Bus Drivers and Nurses, Among Others, Finally Get Modest Pay Increase
Bus drivers, among the lowest paid employees in the district, will get a $2-an-hour raise, nurses will get a $3.65-an-hour increase, improving recruiting in those positions. Administrators, too, are getting a raise: 25 cents an hour.
Two FPC Students Involved In Feared Plot Against the School Face Felony Charges
Two of the six students suspended from school after the feared plot was uncovered in September were charged with making false bomb threats and apparently expelled from school today, but have not been arrested.
Sheriff Meets With FPC and Matanzas Students On Timely Issues But Again Gives Neither Public Nor Press Notice
It was the sixth time Sheriff Jim Manfre held “One Common Ground” meetings with community members, and the sixth time his office neglected to publicly notice the meetings or inform local media so they could be properly reported.
Lawyers Cut Trenches in Case Involving Kids’ Sexual Improprieties at Old Kings Elementary VPK
The case now in Flagler circuit court potentially opens a window onto a relatively new world of early childhood education, but one with little of the regulations or oversight that attends K-12 programs.
New School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker Calls For, and Gets, Half As Many Meetings
Relying on a faulty analogy with Duval County schools, Flagler County School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker wants the number of meetings cut from four to two per month, but wants these to be meatier than they’ve been. The board gave its guarded approval.
Investiture Day: School Board and County Commission Members Old and New Sworn In
Charlie Ericksen, Donald O’Brien and Dave Sullivan were sworn-in at the county commission, Colleen Conklin and Maria Barbosa at the school board in a pair of ceremonies that marked the more pronounced changes in local government resulting from the November election.