After Interim Superintendent LaShakia Moore completed her press conference this morning about the segregated assembly at Bunnell Elementary that has caused public outrage and consternation for the school board, she filed out of the room, all five Flagler County School Board members following her.
All six then went to Moore’s office and met, behind closed doors, in what a school employee outside the office described as a “debriefing.” The board members were discussing the superintendent’s performance.
It is illegal under Florida’s open meetings law for members of the same board to meet and discuss outside of public view active matters before the board, or matters they may be voting on–as they very well may as the board sorts out one of its most serious crises in recent memory, and as they surely will, regarding Moore’s pending candidacy for the permanent superintendent job.
The board members met for at least five minutes (Sally Hunt was there very briefly) before a reporter told School Board Attorney Kristy Gavin that they were in a potentially illegal huddle. Gavin walked back to the superintendent’s suite, knocked on the door, waited a few moments before it was opened, and found the board members around the conference table, most of them seated: School Board Chair Cheryl Massaro, Colleen Conklin, Christy Chong and Will Furry. Hunt had left by then. Moore was standing near the end of the table.
Gavin signaled to them that they had to break it up.
Conklin protested that there was nothing inappropriate about the meeting, that the board had just gathered to tell Moore that she had done well. “What do you think we’re talking about?” Conklin asked. When told that it was probably not about lunch, Massaro agreed. Chong angrily bolted from the room. Furry lingered a moment before walking to a nearby hallway.
“Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill,” Conklin said. “There was absolutely no business discussed. We walked back because some of had stuff in the room. All that was said was that it went as well as it could have. We are allowed to talk to each other for goodness sake.” It did not look like the board members had walked back merely to pick up things left behind: a picture taken of their meeting gives no sense among them of any readiness to leave.
It is unclear why, if the board only intended to tell Moore that she’d done a good job, it felt compelled to do so behind closed doors. And no member of the public would have been allowed in, had the attorney not herself been involved.
Some of them were due to attend a regularly scheduled–and properly noticed–public meeting of joint government representatives an hour later, in the same conference room where the press conference took place.
While nothing stops board members from addressing the superintendent individually, or even meeting socially and discussing matters on which they will not vote or take positions–elected officials from the same board routinely have meals together or socialize at conferences, presumably without breaking sunshine laws–today’s circumstances left little to the imagination: the board walked out as a group and headed straight for the superintendent’s conference room.
Of all the times when the board’s judgments–or misjudgments–cannot risk sending the wrong message, even if it is only the appearance of impropriety, today’s circumstances, with a school district under siege because of colossal and offensive misjudgments, might have compelled the board members to know better. The circumstances did not. It was an unfortunate blotch by the board on an otherwise strong performance by Moore in response to the crisis at Bunnell Elementary.
The attorney, who had stayed behind to speak with individuals in the conference room, seemed unaware. When first told of it, she said she couldn’t see them and didn’t know where they were. She finally headed to the superintendent’s office only at a reporter’s insistence.
The same board, which often portrays itself as transparent and accountable, had been in the habit of following its evening, monthly meetings with a “debriefing” huddle, outside the agenda, until recently. Elected officials on other local boards don;t hold such “huddles” after meetings and would be advised by their attorneys to avoid them.
Last month Hunt, who has cut off contact with the public and has been a no-show at key board and district functions, said during a workshop last month: “I think we can all agree when we are in the back room, meeting together, it is a cohesive, it is a cooperative collaborative, board. We’re able to speak freely.” The statement suggests that such meetings–like today’s–may be more frequent than is known.
Tey says
Can I ask? If No one was allowed in that room, who took the picture that is not credited to any photographer? Does not seem as if anyone was caught off guard here.
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
So the school board deliberately broke the public’s trust and violated sunshine laws but pinkie swears that nothing happened. I’m sure this has absolutely nothing to do with Bunnell.
FlaglerLive says
The picture was taken by FlaglerLive’s reporter soon after the door was opened.
School Board Sally My ... says
I’d just like to point out School Board Sally “Has Left By THEN”… essentially… she was not there. TYPICAL. School Board Sally – – – LIAR. LIAR. LIAR!!!! Why did you run on a lie Sally?
John Stove says
This County, City of Palm Coast and School board are run by imbecilic morons who think that rules dont apply to them. From lying about data for proposed tax increases, claiming that as a “Republic” elected officials can do anything they want, talking about segregation in schools as an option and now this.
When are we going to get professionals who know what a Code of Ethics mean? My god what a bunch of ill informed small town wannabes that we have!
I actually feel embarrassed for our officials as they are too clueless to even realize how stupid they appear to us and thanks to the recent issue at one of our schools, the nation now knows!
Ed says
Why speculate that it’s a cabal or conspiracy? Why can’t it be a procedural misstep and they were simply praising the press conference. Because they are Republicans?
When it comes to anything on the left, “don’t speculate you white supremacist maga Natzi conspiracist!” They are great patriots who are pure and perfect. How dare you?
This faux outrage and hate of any Republican is over the top. I don’t think we can go too much further left or right. Tap your brake and moderate a bit.
Where is this division going to take us?
Yes, the elementary school assembly was mishandled and was beyond inappropriate.
FlaglerLive says
Two of the board members are Democrats.
Scott says
A picture speaks a thousand words, talk about a photo of unhappy faces. It looks like people in a room with all their enemies.
As usual the Flagler County Board of Ed is a disgrace to our county as usual.
Ed says
And Sally Hunt was reported to have left quickly…..and then there was only one?
Skibum says
You really have to wonder about the veracity of the school board’s own statement about what happened when you stop to consider the obvious, time-honored process of “praise someone in public, criticize them in private”. So why would the school board go into a closed-door session to “praise” the performance of their superintendent??? Why not call a press conference instead if they were going to publicly praise her, if that really was their intention in meeting? Hmmm, these are supposedly intelligent, somewhat educated individuals who oversee the entire school district and education system. Maybe they were meeting to discuss the 3-slide PowerPoint presentation that was so horribly put together with grammatical errors that it would be difficult to believe education professionals designed and approved it to be shown to students. Otherwise, citizens would be left believing that we have a bunch of bozos in charge of educating children in Flagler County.
TR says
Oh so you think that if they were ALL Democrats they wouldn’t make any mistakes? Yea right, just look at the administration in Washington and what they have done with this country. Oh but I bet you think that it’s a lot better since forgetful Joe was put in the WH. Well from where I’m sitting I don’t see it based on how much more I have to pay for everything. Oh and before you say anything I’m not Republican either
DontsayRon says
Please tell me what the democrats are doing to destroy education.
As for republicans lets see eliminating teacher unions, allowing criminal prosecution of teachers if they teach something a republiscum doesnt like, oh and slavery was good for african americans, and public school money should go to for profit institutions, banning books, safe places, banning courses, ect.. Im sure theres more just wondering how republicans cant see their own people are attacking education from every angle. Protecting kids from teachers but not priests? If theres a Democrat in Florida they cant speak out if they do they will be removed by the facist governor. Funny how the r’s support racist people and policies and wonder why people think they are racist too.
Democrats are no saints but theres really no great options; vote for a corrupt wanna be dictator and total racist or vote for the non racist old guy. Your choice. Either way big oil will ensure their continued profits in our dying world. Happy Friday
tc says
well said my friend….
Surfgod says
Unfortunately, there are bozos in places of power or influence everywhere!!!
Lynne says
I am surprised to see that Cheryl Massaro and Colleen Conklin were part of this meeting. Yes, it may have been all innocent but the door was closed and we all know better than to trust Chong, Hunt and Furry.
Deborah Coffey says
What have the Democrats “done” to the country? Lowered inflation, the unemployment rate, passed two huge bipartisan bills creating tens of thousands of jobs and fixing broken infrastructure? What they DIDN’T DO is add 25% to the national debt in four years like your precious Trump did…yeah, 25% of a debt over 100 year old…$8 trillion. Stop whining.
Concerned Citizen says
An Interim(Possible Permanent Superintendent) already breaking rules. How disappointing.
Before anyone jumps on me for this comment she allowed an inappropriate meeting to take place. And it took the Attorney to break it up. When you are the leader you lead by example. And keep yourself above reproach. Don’t put yourself into compromising situations.
We want transparency at all times. And a good role model and leader for our children.
tecolote says
Open meetings acts are not hard to understand. Stupidity is not a defense, nor is hard headedness. Good grief.
palmcoaster says
Ed and TR do not place a partisan tone to all. As still registered REP I am totally aware of the damage Florida is enduring at my partisan members current hands. Pollution everywhere in our coastal and no so close waters our marine mammals and fisheries dying by the thousands around us, our intracoastal and canal waters look as dark as the decision of the Reps in power impose on us taking away our quality of life. Florida rezoning to become a soon to be urban slum with brain washed students expected to attend vociferous vehicles blowing horns pick up rally’s full of profane flags and hollering to welcome our tourist in our state. Florida deserves better than what we have now in power ruling the schools, boards and teachers! Quality of life, education, jobs and our pristine environmental preservation is not important for the one’s in power now in current Florida! We need balance of power that we do not have other than greed ruling we need, the right people in power and no partisan zealots! Now kill the messenger…
John says
Nice to see corruption still going on
Bill says
You must be blind-
Gerald. Jacobs says
Lawsuits on the way should have known better.
DMFinFlorida says
@ palmcoaster says
I wish there were more R’s AND D’s with your attitude. I’m sick of the polarizing BS from the extremes of both sides. I registered NPA many years ago and try to examine policies and positions of the candidates without regard to their affiliation when voting. It sounds like you are very fair minded, something that is very sadly lacking here, and not just in this county.
I was a certified teacher, as was my mother, and many other family members. I find this whole situation appalling no matter what the “motivation” was. This county is now a national embarrassment and I can only say I am so glad my children are long out of the system and productive adults. If they were still of school age, I would have my house on the market and get the hell out of this backwards state.
Laurel says
palmcoaster: Thank you! Yes, we need a balance of power. We need negotiations. We need difference viewpoints, and a middle to meet each other on. Good for you!
Laurel says
Ah, that pesky Sunshine Law! Pure and simple, what this board did was illegal in the State of Florida. Sad to think these people are the people in charge of education in Flagler County.
KSM says
Considering two of the MAGA Republicans recently elected to the board waged full on election campaigns of disinformation heavy with QAnon talking points and conspiracies, anti-CRT propaganda, anti-LBGTQ sentiments and massive amounts of straight up toxic ‘innuendo’ bordering on defamation against other candidates your faux outrage is laughable and downright disingenuous at best. You reap what you sow and these ‘conservative’ scumbags have lowered the bar so low it’s underground. BTW there’s nothing conservative about being hateful morons and I’d think you’d want to separate yourself from their disgusting views and actions not deflect by lashing out at ‘evil leftists’ rightly outraged by yet more despicable behavior – take some damn responsibility for your ilk for once. The more you defend them the more you look like you’re in league with them and condone being terrible human beings.