Flagler County School Board member Sally Hunt does not seem to be enjoying her job. At least not the fun parts, the parts that give district teachers, employees and students a chance to showcase their accomplishments, the parts that give the community a voice through proclamations. They just drag on too long, and maybe they shouldn’t be part of the “business” portion of the meetings, Hunt told her colleagues at a workshop earlier this week, as she spoke from an undisclosed location, phoning it in.
“Something that I just would like for my fellow board members to think about just for the sake of our parents and community,” she started, using a preface she’s often used before–“for the sake of our parents and community”–as cover for a concern of hers more than anybody else: “We’ve got some business meetings where our kind of intro is taking up to, like, 45 minutes. So by the time we read proclamations, by the time we maybe have different spotlights like from the [Education] Foundation, we can be at, like, 6:45.”
She seemed to suggest that the proclamations and public comments would take place at 6, but that the board meeting itself, which she was seeing as distinct from the spotlights, would start at 6:30. She referred to the “working mom” waiting to see her kids who rushes over to the Government Services Building by 6 for whatever reason, “and now it’s already 6:45, the meeting is just now really starting, and then several minutes later for public comments.” (Hunt and her colleagues were meeting in a so-called “retreat” to discuss board procedures with their new, interim attorney. The meeting was not streamed, as all other workshops are, but was recorded.)
Hunt has developed an odd, distant relationship with constituents. She does not respond to her emails and does not show up at major district celebrations like graduations and Teacher of the Year galas. Earlier this month she complained that members of the public are not following the “chain of command” when they have a complaint, and are soliciting board members’ help when they should first bother someone else with their concerns, like a teacher or a school principal or administrator. (See: “School Board’s Sally Hunt Would Like You To Follow ‘Chain of Command’ Before You Contact Her.”) She herself does not seem to want to be bothered with any of it, and now seems bothered by the length of meetings–especially the portion dedicated exclusively to good, happy news.
“We’re just starting to have, like, multiple proclamations, multiple spotlights,” Hunt complained, “where at the end of the day it’s at least my opinion that that board meeting is in large part there for a working meeting for us, but then also for the community to come out and speak to different things that will be voted on.”
The last board meeting, on Jan. 23, featured a proclamation by the august John Winston–a co-founder, with Jim Guines, of the district’s African American Mentor Program, during the era of Superintendent Bill Delbrugge–on Black History Month: “Ladies and gentleman it is an honor that we take this opportunity to thank all of you for allowing us to work these many, many years that we have successfully completed the assignment you gave us to make a difference in the Flagler school district,” Winston told the board after reading the proclamation. Another proclamation recognized Career and Technical Education Month in a state where nearly 1.2 million students are enrolled in career and technical education–800 of them in Flagler County. And a third item in that segment of the meeting was a resolution recognizing February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
That was followed by spotlights on the superintendent’s goals, on the Education Foundation’s events (the foundation is the non-profit support arm of the district), such as its Feb. 13 Mardi Gras fund-raiser, an a recognition of the district’s Sunshine State Scholars, who focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education.
Spotlights typically jam the meeting chamber with their participants, at times resulting in standing-room-only meetings, at least for that beginning portion. The chamber empties rapidly after spotlights. Hunt’s colleagues tend to enjoy them, and were quick to brush off any suggestion that spotlights and proclamations should somehow be constrained, or segregated to a non-meeting portion of the proceedings.
“One of the best parts of our meetings are the spotlights,” Board member Colleen Conklin said. “I actually do look at it as part of the business meeting. That’s an opportunity to showcase really some of the great things that are going on in the school district, to the community. Sometimes, when we have a packed room, sometimes I think we should do this at the end of the meeting, with everybody here all night long so they would see what’s going on.
Will Furry, the current chair of the board, said the agenda as published gives the public the ability to gauge what would be happening at each meeting. “They could govern their time on their own based on that information,” Furry said. “Yes, we are there for business, but there are some ceremonial parts of this role. And although we do want to get our business done as efficiently as possible, those recognitions and proclamations really are important to a lot of people in our community.”
Even Board member Christy Chong–not exactly the most joyful or eager member to serve on the school board–was put off by Hunt’s suggestion. “I do think it’s important that we are celebrating things and be, like you said, giving the community a voice on these proclamations in the beginning,” Chong said.
“That is a balancing act every district deals with,” David Delaney, the board’s interim attorney, said of spotlights, acknowledging that it’s easy to get jaded when one has nothing to do with the person or people being spotlighted. Then even he took a side. “I will say in defense of those, I got called or I attended a board meeting when I was in high school for a spotlight thing, and I still remember that event. So I do try to remember the impact that we’re having on people that are being recognized.”
There was more interest in revisiting the mechanics of public comment periods. The board has two segments for public comments. The segment at the beginning of the meeting restricts comments to items on the agenda. The one at the tail end of the meeting is open to any topics. Some members of the public are not thrilled about having to wade through an entire board meeting before they get a chance to speak. By then the chamber is often mostly empty, the board members are tired–they’d have sat through meetings since 1 p.m., sometimes even longer–and attention is on the clock.
It wasn’t always like that, as Conklin noted: the opening segment used to be unrestricted. But board members changed that precisely to reduce chances that members of the public would use it to speak their mind on any topic they chose, figuring that most people would not stick around until the end of the meeting. In other words, for all the board’s celebrations of spotlights, proclamations and community spirit, it was a tactical decision to silence a large number of people interested in addressing less chest-beating issues.
Fernando Melendez says
To give a commendation or proclamation is very important and brings awareness of an accomplishments. Sad to hear that an elected officials feels that it’s a waste of time. Especially when it’s a formal public declaration. Too bad she feels that way.
Richard says
Hey Sally,
It isn’t all about you. Others may like to share their accomplishments and possibly be recognized. Taxpayers might get an idea of where their money goes and what good is accomplished.
Everybody pays taxes many not having children, and they might enjoy seeing the fruit of their contribution.
Jim says
Why did Sally ever run for the School Board?!? On top of everything else, she is now proposing reducing the time allotted for recognition of success within the school system? If you hate the job that much, please do everyone a favor and GET OUT NOW!!!
What a loser and what a poor example she sets for everyone in the school system. Just get out and let Flagler County have the potential to have someone on the board who wants to do what’s right for this community.
This is just pitiful.
Brian says
Hunt and Chong are so photogenic – it is tough to decide which one is the most miserable.
Cynthia says
Ms. Hunt has been such a disappointment. I can only hope she quits, or at least doesn’t run again. She will not get my vote next time.
Lorie L Robinson says
I was a strong supporter of hers. I’d like to think that I’m a good judge of character.
Not this time!
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Dennis C Rathsam says
How bizzare people acually voted for her! Ellections are around the corner, people died for your right to vote! Please use it wisely. Do a little a little research this time.
Disgusted again in Flagler County says
Looking back, it was either Sally Hunt or Jill Woolbright in a 2-way race.
We didn’t want Jill Woolbright again. So many voted for Sally Hunt, even Republicans.
That school board race wasn’t about the best and most qualified candidate. It was purely to vote against Jill Woolbright.
Unfortunately Sally Hunt has turned out to be a Trojan horse.
Lorie L Robinson says
Agreed
Clean House in PC says
Do us all a favor Ms. Hunt. RESIGN and let someone else step in who will do the job. Proclamations and acknowledgments of accomplishments are part of MANY organizations, including municipal and county entities. It’s called morale boosting. Something you are clearly not capable of understanding. Sorry to intrude on your personal time recognizing someone who has done something to improve our students’ learning experience. Seriously – why did you even run in the first place.
I am so angry I voted for you. NEVER AGAIN.
Cynthia says
Agree 100%
PeachesMcGee says
Maybe the board should praise their employees privately. Maybe, in the school’s gym, away from Sally.
Joe D says
Wow…..possibly MADAM HUNT has realized that being in a PUBLIC SERVICE position on the school board ….actually requires some TIME to SERVE the public….not surprised at all since it appears that she is more interested in photo ops and grandstanding for local and regional media.
As a FORMER Nursing administrator, I know that if your employees and teachers don’t feel appreciated, and supported, they will MOVE ELSEWHERE!! Taking time for public acknowledgment of special teacher and student accomplishments can ONLY serve to enrich the Community as a whole.
If FLAGLER County needs ANYTHING, it’s something POSITIVE being RECOGNIZED, instead of the NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT Flagler County School Board has become over the RIDICULOUS book banning issues.
I’m sure county residents would be happy to accept MADAM Hunt’s resignation, since the position seems to have proved to take more time than she planned!?
gw says
Sally,
You ran for the office so I assume you knew that would include interacting with the community that put you in office.
If you no longer enjoy your job, you are welcome to resign.
Tired of it says
Please resign. You obviously don’t like the job. What did you think you were elected to do? What have you accomplished for thr children of Flagler County? You are an embarrassment to yourself and to Flagler County.
School Board Sally My ... says
Flagler Live, is that an AI generated image, a “deep fake”, or did Sally Hunt actually, literally show up to something required by her job? Seriously. Is that really her at a work function? How on Earth did you capture an image of the School Board Sally doing her job on the board? Is that photo post-dated, like a few days after her election?
Post-dated or not, I’m glad to see the School Board Sally actually does show up to some things every now and then ;-)
Can’t wait to enthusiastically emphatically and exponentially vote her a** off the board. (I ran out of ‘e’ words)
Lorie L Robinson says
🙂
rapscallion says
someone forgot to give sally the most important piece of advice anyone of us can receive.
i’m paraphrasing
it is better to keep your mouth shut snd be thought a fool rather than open your mouth and confirm it.
she is being compensated pretty well to work at the board meetings. her attitude is quite pathetic
Jane says
This woman needs deep psychoanalysis.
Mark says
Does she even think before she speaks anymore. If she can’t be bothered by celebratory accomplishments of students or the school community then she should resign.
Willy Jones says
I think that both Sally and Chrissy need an enema!
Jim says
I don’t know about this suggestion…. I doubt there would be anything left after it was done…..
Skibum says
That Sally, isn’t she prescious! Never one to adhere to ethical standards and just plain moralistic behavior that most people expect from elected officials. She apparently never learned that good leaders try to limit their criticism of subordinates in private, and take every opportunity to praise others in public. Praise for accomplishments or a job well done. A simple, yet meaningful way to recognize those deserving of a little attention, but no, Sally dearest wants no part of that aspect of her role on the school board. How contemptuous. How disgraceful. She continues to show how little minded she really is. Absolutely pathetic!
blerbfamilyfive says
You know Sally like quit if you can’t do your job, just like quit. Like, like, like…..
School Board Sally My ... says
Down with Sally! I know she reads these comments, and these comments only make her clammer inside and avoid public appearances even more. Sally is weak! Sally is a LIAR! Sally is sad! Buh Bye Sally ;-)
Nancy N. says
I suggest we all take up a public collection to buy Ms Hunt a t-shirt that reads “this meeting could have been an email” to wear for her rare appearances at board meetings.