In a long diatribe at a workshop today, Flagler County School Board member Will Furry repeatedly implied that the district should have redacted an investigative report about a teacher at Buddy Taylor Middle School even if redactions went against the state’s public records law.
Furry criticized the district–and, again, School Board Attorney Kristy Gavin–for not censoring student statements in the report about Buddy Taylor Middle School students getting bitten by rats in September. “I cannot believe that there’s not a state statute that we could have applied to not release those statements,” he said. There isn’t. But Furry said the district should have “used our own discretion” to censor the report anyway, and dare anyone to post a challenge.
The names of the students were redacted, but not the statements themselves, in accordance with law. Furry’s criticism was prompted by an article here last week that summarized the investigative report. Furry was sharply critical of the article, too, though that’s not unusual. Gavin explained to Furry repeatedly that the statements could not, under the law, have been redacted.
Furry disagreed, and said several times the statements should have been redacted anyway, essentially suggesting that the district should have broken the law. “We do have discretion to make that call on that redaction,” Furry said, incorrectly: there is no discretion in public record redactions. Either the law provides for an exemption, or it does not. It’s not the custodian’s call. He persisted: “And you know what, if it comes to that, they can–they can challenge it.” It wasn’t clear who he meant by “they.” He had difficulties finding his words, then he added: “I don’t think there would have been a lot of pushback on that,” Furry said. “I don’t think somebody would have gone and found an attorney to sue us to release these kids statements.”
Gavin again explained that because it involved an employee’s behavior and and employee disciplinary issue in which only students could provide statements about the bites, the statements had to be part of the investigation. Investigations are made public once completed. It would be illegal for Gavin or anyone at the district to arbitrarily redact records that aren’t covered by exemption. Furry was both misunderstanding the law and indicating he was willing to flout it. (At the request of one of the students’ parents, a line in the article that had remarked about the poverty of the statements’ writing was removed; the parent did not request that the statements themselves be removed.)
Board member Christy Chong, who thinks no public school employees should speak to the press, was furious that the investigation was “leaked,” or that anyone at Buddy Taylor would have spoken about it. In fact, there was no “leak.” The incident was rapidly disseminated on social media after it happened. Various media inquired, and requested the investigative report, once it was ready.
Furry’s broadsides prompted Massaro later to describe his “tirade” and criticism of the district unwarranted. “I wouldn’t have grandstanded it,” Massaro said. “You don’t have to throw the district under the bus.”
The workshop until then had gone unusually fast, and included a brief segment on the process of replacing Gavin with a new firm or new representation, possibly by February. The board would start with issuing a “request for letters of interest” from firms. The parameters were presented to the board today in a seven-page document prepared by Kris Collora, the district’s purchasing coordinator.
The board would formally approve the request at its Nov. 28 meeting. The request would be issued on Nov. 30 and advertised on Dec. 6. Firms’ responses would be due by Jan. 4, when they would be opened in the purchasing department. (“Responses should not be excessively long or submitted in an elaborate format that includes expensive binders or graphics,” the request specifies.)
The board would then discuss and likely interview firms, with a selection possible by February or at least in late winter. responses would not be expected until early January, with a possible approval on new representation not before February.
A bare-bones board–Colleen Conklin is in Europe on a family trip she informed the board about week ago, Hunt called the district at not long before the meeting to say she wouldn’t be there–hardly discussed the item, other than to open the door for board members, between now and the next meeting, to make any edits they wish to the document.
Gavin’s fate remains unclear. She met with Superintendent LaShakia Moore and Board Chair Cheryl Massaro on Monday. The purpose of that meeting was to determine whether Moore is interested or willing to hire Gavin as a staff attorney (as opposed to a board attorney: those would be separate roles), and whether Gavin would be willing to accept that role. But the hour-long meeting was inconclusive. Moore, Massaro said, still has unanswered questions, wanting to know more precisely how much a pay-out of Gavin’s contract would cost, and how much it would cost to hire Gavin in addition to a board attorney.
“We don’t have a lot of money to spend any which way,” Massaro said, not long after the district’s Chief Financial Officer informed the board that reserves are below the 5 percent preferred minimum threshold (the board ideally wants reserves to be equivalent to 6 percent of the budget). The district just hired 41 paraprofessionals, a significant hit to the budget, because of an influx of special education students. It expects to be reimbursed for most of those positions, but to what extent is not yet clear. The CFO had previously tabulated potential costs of paying out Gavin, amounting to several hundred thousand dollars.
A segment of today’s school board workshop was to be devoted to a conference with an independent attorney, by zoom, to discuss Gavin’s case. That was postponed in light of Monday’s inconclusive meeting, Massaro said.
DP says
I think its time that we the voter’s, seriously look at who we elect into office. The three monkeys Chong, Furry, and Hunt are going to cost the tax payers alot of unnecessary $$$$ with thier continued stupidity. Think of the students, not your self absorbed interests.
Gina says
Furry, you are WRONG about citizens not challenging in pursuit of lawsuits
and you are actually interfering with citizens 1st amendment rights, do you even
know about the 1st amendment or is it just something that you and your constituents
ignore as you try to shut down citizens voices and don’t expect them to go the distance
to take legal actions. Who and what are you trying to hide from, no one wanted this
to happen it was a mishap which is unfortunate and something to learn from in the
future. how is a lesson to be learned here if the truth is hidden? Stop pushing things
under carpets this is not why you were voted into your position, voters look up to who
they vote for honesty , compassion and transparency, let’s put it this way we know who
not to vote for the next time around.
Whathehck? says
Just too many ignorant people on the Board. They either don’t have what it takes to understand the law or they don’t care to follow the law. And to think that the only 2 knowledgeable members are leaving. ARRRRGH!
TREEMAN says
Danko works to reduce Property Taxes while Furry works to INCREASE property Taxes!!!STOP Furry NOW!!!
Wobie says
This guy is a feckless, uniformed, and dangerous buffoon.
Jane says
The man is pathetic!
Edith Campins says
What more is there to say about the three amigos? We need to vote
Hunt, Furry and Chong out. Really Republicans? Was it worth it to put these incompetent people on the board? There was a qualified csndidate running …but she wasn’t a Republican, so you voted for these clowns instead.
A Mom says
He needs to go
Dennis C Rathsam says
Furry, Chong & Hunt….Palm Coast,s answer to the 3 STOOGES!
Brad W says
So Furry and Chong are suggesting that:
1. Our Schools should actively and openly break the law which would very well result in a costly lawsuit the schools would lose.
2. The Schools should actively engage in covering up problems and issues from the public.
These two are ethical people?
Interested Observer says
All Flagler Schools school board meetings and workshops are available via live stream and play back at: videos.flaglerschools.com.
I watched the live stream.
Well, Furry doesn’t believe Flagler Schools should follow Florida Laws and Rules (Florida Statutes). He thinks HIS rules should supersede the laws of the State of Florida. In fact, he almost DEMANDS his rules prevail over the laws of the State of Florida.
What’s he going to do next? Challenge the laws and rules of the United States? He’s most likely extremely upset that his PPP fraud is public information for anyone to look up. Is he going to demand that we all disregard the laws of the United States in favor of HIS demands? So he can cover up his PPP fraud? He probably never thought his financial PPP fraud information (including his PPP application) would be available to the public. That’s because of FOIA.
By the way, I do believe Flagler Schools has a “records custodian” who would be in charge of FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests if I am not mistaken. But Will Furry is trying very hard (45 minutes of everyone’s time) to make it look like Attorney Gavin sat in her office and released the FOIA information herself with complete disregard and therefore was negligent in her duties.
Because Hunt was a no show (again), we can only talk about Furry and Chong when it comes to Tuesday’s school board workshop.
I can’t speak much about Chong because she was silent throughout the entire workshop except for a few demands, one of them being, “This has to STOP!!!” when Furry had finished his 45 minute tirade aimed directly at Attorney Gavin. (again negating the very simple fact that Furry’s outrage is a legal issue governed by Florida law).
Has Chong spent ANY time reading up on Florida Statutes regarding FOIA requests? I would say she has not, and doesn’t have any intellectual grasp on Florida Laws and Rules. And probably doesn’t even know how to go about researching that topic. Her and Furry’s ignorance was blatant throughout the 45-minute tirade.
Rather than inflaming the complaint made by the parent of the child, if Furry were knowledgeable at all, he could have explained to the parent about FOIA requests and that release of information is governed by Florida Statute. Instead, he chose to direct his ire at Attorney Gavin AGAIN, this is due to the fact that Will Furry is ignorant in Florida Laws and Rules (Statutes) and probably doesn’t even know how to go about looking up the Florida Statutes that govern FOIA (again, freedom of information) requests. Very simply, he doesn’t think Flagler Schools should have to abide by Florida Statutes.
It seems Furry and Chong’s agenda at the workshop meeting was to pin as much of their witchhunt of the day on Attorney Gavin adding to what they think is reason for her firing.
So far, this is what Will Furry has accomplished in his short 1-year tenure as an elected school board member (and we have 3 years left to deal with his nasty and disrespectful man):
1. Got rid of Superintendent Middlestat.
2. Tried to shut down the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club.
3. Tried to destroy Cheryl Tristam and the Flagler Youth Orchestra.
4. Now trying to fire Attorney Gavin.
5. What’s next on his agenda?
For someone who’s been involved in PPP fraud, Furry is certainly holier than thou.
The above is just in his first year on school board. In my opinion, Will Furry is a mean and disrespectful man in every respect, right down to his Halloween costume (which he posted on his Flagler School Board page), which was a “Flagler Lies” T-shirt. How low can one man sink?
And finally, I can’t emphasize enough that Furry and Chong were backed by Jill Woolbright, Sharon Demers (Flagler Republican committeewoman, a madwoman drunk on power), Jearlyn Dennie and all their hangers-on (including many who are currently running for office in 2024 . . . do you know who they are?) Be careful who you vote into office.
Jim says
Why is Furry so upset about the student’s statements being included in the investigation report? I never read the reason for his viewpoint. The most obvious reason would be that Furry is keenly interested in keeping any an all activities, events, issues and problems hidden from public view. Chong clearly feels the public needs to be kept in the dark since she thinks no school employees should ever speak to the media! Hunt literally wasn’t there so we were spared her sad yammering’s.
The school system is on the brink of having the worst possible “leadership” when Furry takes the reigns. I feel for Gavin. She’s employed to assure the school board follows the law. She’s done that and Furry doesn’t like that. It’s obvious why he wants her out of the job. He thinks the next legal rep will be more malleable to flaunting the law.
Another Concerned Taxpayer !!! says
I suspect this is 1 of the reasons that those 3 have conspired to get rid of Gavin, they don’t want anyone keeping them from breaking the law, as it does not apply to them, they are special, they are the chosen. I believe they came into this with a hit list and are working their way through it. They are just weaponized puppets with some other person/entity pulling their strings. I can only assume that they were just as incompetent and in their previous positions.
Fed up with fools says
What is the proper course to start a recall procedure (if possible) to remove school board candidates from their office? I know the governor can, but what about voters that realize the disaster the have put into ofice.
M Yates says
I am a retired veteran who has been active in local politics for several years.
I actively campaigned for Furry during the last election. I trusted that he had been properly vetted as a candidate. I trusted Pastor Denny and Woolbright that this had been done.
Late in the election process, I learned that Furry had not been honest about his education. He is overseeing a school district that he doesn’t have the basic educational requirements to qualify as a teacher or administrator.
When I was told he had executive administration experience, I was excited. I realized that he would never be hired in this capacity with his lack of education. Then, I was told his position was with his fathers company and that the business had failed. Furry also neglected to mention the amount of home foreclosures he had on his record.
Furry told us all he was this great business person. He told us he had an expose in the Miami Herald. He just never told anyone that that business had failed, as well.
I trusted Pastor Denny and Woolbright that he was a qualified candidate. I see now that we were wrong.
I would like to personally apologize to the county for supporting Furry and for all the things I posted on social media. He has been a very bad representative on the school board.
The dude says
Thank you.
But what on god’s green earth would lead you to trust those two in the first place?
The man was actively campaigning on the Old Kings campus as I stood in line waiting to attend my daughter’s graduation ceremony. This was well known and reported on.
I politely declined the campaign materials he tried to hand me as I stood in line, then I had to walk around his car, plastered with campaign signs and parked on the curb out front, to even get in the doors to see my daughter’s graduation.
That should have been a big sign for ya’ll right there that he had no intention of following the law.
Do better.
Those frigging scammers.. .. says
You are a good man, an honest man and most of all you speak the truth about bad actors here in Flagler County. People’s sole purpose in life is to take advantage of people.
I respect your decision to speak about them. These people will rear their ugly heads here shortly with yet another Republican Club with yet another scam headquarters.
Voters beware, candidates beware that these bad actors don’t represent the good people like you of the Republican party.
Marcus Aurelius Jr.
Republican Insider says
You might also want to re-think supporting Jill Woolbright, Sharon Demers, Jearlyn Dennie, Kathy Austrino and all the other hanger’s on who backed this man.
Being a member of the Flagler Pachyderms is something you might also want to reconsider.
Mike, you’ve been “had”. At least you’re waking up to the fact that you’ve been involved with a destructive and dishonest group of people. Some people tried to warn you, but you were too blinded by their fake smiles and fake friendship to realize you were being manipulated all this time.
Maybe sit with a different type of people at the REC meetings, if you still attend them.
Dee says
How can we get the three stooges out of office I’m willing to sign a petition or what needs to be be done we can’t have these people on the board for another 3 years someone please let the public know how this can be accomplished
C’mon man says
I’d be embarrassed if my middle schooler wrote a statement like that.
Laurel says
DeSantis has admitted this is an intended takeover of all local, legal functions, which the school board is a part of. The “Law and Order” GOP is a thing of the past. This is all part of the MAGA takeover, a decent into chaos and a crushing of democracy. Challenge all laws that have been established by both parties over decades, rid Florida of the Sunshine Law, take control of the courts and ruin the Constitutional Freedom of the Press.
Do you see it now? Do you get it? I think you do.
Tired says
Surely y’all realize that Chiumento is going to be the next attorney for the school board, right? How ironic that the boards purchasing manager and Chiumento’s new marketing manager are the best of friends. How nice.
FlaglerLive says
Michael Chiumento has explicitly said that his firm is not interested in being the board’s attorney: its specialty is not school law but land use.