By Brent Woronoff, The Observer
The Flagler County School Board approved its annual funding of the Flagler Youth Orchestra Strings Program. Now it needs to find a new program director as well as a new artistic director and two more music instructors/conductors.
Cheryl Tristam, the FYO’s program director since its inception 18 years ago, resigned on July 3 saying in an article she wrote for FlaglerLive — her husband, Pierre Tristam’s, news site — that conduct toward her and the program by some School Board members “has been reprehensible and inexcusable.”
The school district has been auditing the FYO’s bank account since it discovered in May that the account, operated by Cheryl Tristam, was actually an internal account using the district’s tax-exempt ID number. The account had been set up 18 years ago by a former Flagler Schools Superintendent Bill Delbrugge. The district had lost track of the account and thus was not annually auditing it as required.
On Tuesday, July 25, the board voted 4-0 to fund $78,880 to pay the salaries of the FYO’s contract employees and provide facilities for the program at Indian Trails Middle School. The program’s internal account, which had been previously thought to be an outside account, will fund the remaining $21,000 for the salaries.
The board approved contracts for part-time instructors Lacy San Antonio, Dr. Pamela Mireles and Jeremy Bartlett, who indicated they wanted to continue in their roles with the FYO. But the board will now have to find replacements for Tristam as well as Artistic Director Joe Corporon and instructors Victor Rivera and Niki Mousikos, all of whom have also left.
Jack Lisenby, a former member of the FYO who graduated in June, urged the board during public comment to get “everything lined up” for the program. “There’s auditions and recruiting emails and instrumental rentals. So much needs to be done,” he said.
Earlier in the day, at the School Board’s workshop, Board Attorney Kristy Gavin presented a letter from attorney Mark K. Logan, of Tallahassee firm Sniffen and Spellman, concerning the funding of the FYO. Board member Willy Furry had asked for an outside opinion on the legality of the program’s structure.
Logan wrote that the firm’s review of the program “suggests that the operation and funding of the district’s program, in and of itself, does not present any operational issues other than the failure of the district’s FYO account to be subject to normal annual audit and review.”
Logan noted that the annual memorandum of understanding with the FYO “is something of an oddity” considering the FYO is actually a district program.
“It appears that the district is entering into an MOU with itself,” Logan wrote.
The practice is questionable due to contractual concerns, he added.
“Apart from the MOU issue, we are comfortable as to how the program is currently constituted and operated given that all standard financial controls are in place as to the new FYO account and that the account is now subject to standard audit,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the district is trying to gain control of the FYO’s website and have requested all of the account’s bank statements.
The board plans to discuss the law firm’s findings as well as the audit results at a workshop on Aug. 1.
BILL says
Is there no way to swallow pride and put political differences aside, even offer apologies, and offer Mrs. Tristam her old position back? She’d done such a wonderful job over the years?
KMedley says
As reported by the paper who brought us Will Furry, there are no issues with the funding of the FYO. How many are NOT surprised at all? Thanks to the Tragic Three, the FYO and our community lost an incredible blend of talent. The FYO will never be the same. When will Flagler County School staff be held accountable? Vote the Tragic Three OUT!
Algernon says
The reported vote was 4 – 0. Who were the four, please, and who abstained or missed?
Regardless of the vote outcome, Board Member Will Furry owes a public apology to former orchestra director Cheryl Tristam, and the entire orchestra for making such scurrilous and demeaning allegations. And he should resign immediately.
FlaglerLive says
Colleen Conklin was absent.
I beg for your consideration...... says
Will Furry got what he want. To get even with Pierre Tristam by going after Cheryl.
Your a lowlife Will Furry. I agree that all of these organizations should get audited but it showed your disgusting management and political strategy.
I can’t wait to vote you out!
Zuffalina says
Artistic Director Joe Corporon and instructors Victor Rivera and Niki Mousikos, have also left. Do not kid yourselves that these three and Cheryl Tristam can be easily replaced with individuals of equal caliber and commitment. Mr. Furry, a dark, vengeful and ignorant little man has effectively extinguished one of the brightest lights in the Flagler education universe.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Will, enjoy your time on the school board, you wont be on it long. Your vengence against the Tristams,s shows how shallow you really are. Cheryl,s work with the children were one of compasion, not greed. I hope your happy now that youve screwed up a good thing for our kids. You dont care about them, you had a score to settle….How can you look yourself in the mirror? Now that we find everything is on the up & up. And there was no improprieties…. You look like the fool! You not only owe Cheryl an apology, you owe the city an apology too. Save face,resign & move, your days on the board from this day foward will be second guessed, and challenged, by the good citezens of P/C! Your thoughts and ideas are not welcome here anymore. Thanxs Cheryl for caring & putting our kids first, we will miss your dedication, & honesty!
Food for thought says
I certainly don’t agree with what Will Furry did here, but I think it may be time for new management. Ms. Tristam did a great job, from what I can tell, in her 18 years, however, it was Ms. Tristam’s choice to resign, as with all the others, before the audit was complete. There are other competent musicians, teachers, and directors out there and I’m sure the youth orchestra will recover. I think this may be a blessing in disguise.