The Flagler County School Board this evening voted unanimously to appoint LaShakia Moore superintendent, eliminating the “interim” part of the title she had held since July 1 and making her the first Black superintendent in the county’s history.
But it wasn’t entirely a joyful occasion as Sally Hunt, a board member, soon diverted discussion to grievances about the school board attorney, board dynamics, and the board chair specifically–even as Hunt claimed she did not want to cloud the occasion. It was a remarkably ungraceful way to taint a momentous occasion.
Board Chair Cheryl Massaro was hardly finished bringing up the item before Colleen Conklin motioned to hire Moore, and Will Furry seconded. There was no discussion. “We’ve all had enough at this point,” Massaro said.
Moore got a 10-second round of applause from the board and the chamber, which had a few dozen people in attendance.
The meeting had been scheduled to handle the legally required approval of next year’s property tax rate and school budget. The superintendent item was tacked on, initially as a “placeholder,” giving the board a chance to take the vote rather than delay the matter.
If the appointment was a happy occasion on its face, the occasion was marred somewhat as Board member Sally Hunt called for a review of Board Attorney Kristy Gavin’s contract. Hunt said outright that she had lost trust in the attorney, and asked for the issue to be discussed at a coming meeting. She then asked for a separate discussion about “board behavior,” and said she should not have people on the board “who feel bullied.” She did not elaborate, but she had referred to comments made by Massaro, about her (Hunt), that Hunt thought should not have been made.
Massaro got more precise, explaining to the audience how she had been handed a script ahead of the press conference last week on the crisis at Bunnell Elementary, but also added a few words of her own, notably saying that the district did not support “segregation.” Hunt had been displeased, and considered calling for a censure vote of the chair, Massaro said, though Hunt had pulled back from that consideration after discussions with the attorney.
“I’m sorry, I believe that was a time to address people from the heart,” Massaro said, “and that as chairperson, that’s something we all should do when you sit in this seat, you’re not a puppet.”
Tonight, Hunt called Massaro’s account “factually not true,” but said she did not want to have that discussion this evening. (“I will not lie,” Massaro said.)
Hunt, in essence, brought up the issue, a deeply divisive matter, clouding the occasion, then said the occasion should remain “joyful,” so would not talk about it further.
That ostensibly brought the issue back to Moore’s hiring, which next moves to negotiations about her contract, which the board would still have to approve.
The appointment became increasingly inevitable over the last few weeks, gaining momentum after the opening of the new school year, when Moore dazzled board members with her commanding performance before returning school employees and on school campuses. The appointment became all but certain after Moore deftly handled the crisis triggered by the segregated assembly at Bunnell Elementary late last month, then pivoted in the middle of that to prepare the district for a possible hit by Hurricane Idalia.
It did not hit, but the board got to see Moore in crisis mode, then in disaster-preparation mode, and gave her high marks for both.
The board members individually interviewed Moore over the last few weeks, and this morning held a 90-minute open interview with her as a full board, where Moore again distinguished herself.
Somewhere, somehow, even in the exhales of his memory, Jim Guines must be smiling, so must be Theda Wilson: she was the first Black woman elected to the Flagler County School Board–or to any countywide seat–in the early 1990s. Guines was the second and last Black member of the board before his retirement in 2007.
At the end of this evening’s meeting, some board members addressed the Bunnell assembly. Board member Christy Chong attributed the crisis to “indoctrination,” saying “this is the unfortunate result of what happens when we try to go beyond teaching the foundations of education.”
Board member Will Furry offered a few words about the crisis, but also said of Moore that it was “a delight to watch your interim leadership.” Hunt said she wanted to “congratulate us” for having Moore as superintendent.
“There’s really nothing anyone can say other than we apologize,” Board member Colleen Conklin said of the Bunnell crisis, “because there’s just no sense to make of it whatsoever.” She then expressed her gratefulness for Moore being in the superintendent’s seat.
As for Massaro, she said of Bunnell: “Children are resilient. They bounce back. Sometimes adults have a much harder time doing that.” She added: “It’s unfortunate that we had to blemish tonight’s meeting. But it happened, and it was expected. But I’m not going to sit quietly anymore. I’m going to have my say.”
It had, after all, been Massaro’s idea to suspend the search for a new superintendent and appoint Moore.
Moore herself had the final words: “Happy seventeenth day of school. Seventeenth day,” she said, as if to underscore how much has happened in this young school year, and promising to continue counting up. “It’s going to take a lot of work, and we have a lot of work to do,” she said. She owned that she didn’t know what the board;’s decision would be this evening, but said: “For me, this is about doing good work, because good work needs to be done.”
Isabella says
Well it looks like this county is back to COMMON CORE she will give ” free grades” to the undeserving.
Deborah Coffey says
Isn’t there any way to get rid of Sally Hunt? I have never regretted a vote in my 75 years but, I would love to “undo” that one!
Eileen Marie Gernet says
Congratulations. Take care of our children.
Bill C says
Hunt is lost in the funhouse.
Whiplash says
Time for Ms Hunt to go! All she does is complain and disrupt the smooth working of the board!
Concerned Community Member says
I watch the school board meetings live from home. I’m so disgusted in listening to Sally Hunt. She comes across as she knows everything but then asks the most ridiculous questions and uses the excuse that she new at this job. But at this morning workshop she made a remark that she has worked with the best in this world. I don’t know who she’s trying to fool as why she causes so many of this school boards problem. Concern Citizens of Flagler County, she needs to go! I really feel that we need to start a petition to get her removed. For someone who LOVES to blame others, she needs to go.
Edith Campins says
Best of luck to her. She will have her hands full dealing with Chong, Flurry and Hunt.
Mothersworry says
Every time Sally Hunt opens her mouth she confirms what most people are thinking.
Carl Jones says
Congratulations Superintendent Moore on your unanimous appointment as the first black superintendent of our growing school district! This is a truly historic moment that marks a significant step towards greater diversity and representation in educational leadership.
You are deserving and ready to take your place in Flagler County history.
You’ve shown masterful expertise, dedication, and vision for education. You are the perfect candidate for this role. The AAMP Executive Committee and mentors are excited to see the positive impact you are having on our students, teachers, staff, and the entire community.
Kudos to you for breaking barriers and serving as an inspiration to future generations!”
We support and stand with you on leading the best school district in the state of Florida!
TR says
What a ridicules act by the school board. How fast they forgot what just happened a short time ago in Bunnell Elementary with the kids that were brought into a special assembly. I guess the school board didn’t want to have to find a new superintendent. She may not have been the one that had the assembly, but it happened under her watch. I guess the school board may be thinking to keep her so she will be able to face the law suit that could be coming her way.
School Board Sally My ... says
#1 – Congrats LaShakia.
#2 – Fire the disgraced, embarrassing, lying Hunt now – or at least pass a rule that if she shows up to a meeting or any function, she’s not allowed to talk. Again, that’s if she shows up.
Tired of it says
What a ridiculous comment. Rather than give Ms. Moore a chance, you are starting with unfounded criticism. Do you know her record? Has she given “free grades” to anyone? Do you have any facts to support your comment?
Duane says
Well Deborah Coffey, you finally voted in a Dem and now have regrets.
What say you now?
Ed says
Just one question, did each of you really vote for Sally Hunt or did you vote against Ron DeSantis by voting for this democrat? I went back to Flagler live articles on her candidacy and everyone’s comments. The comments read like a pep rally.
This is exactly what you get when you don’t do diligence, vet your choice, and vote for the best candidates even if they are from the opposing party.
Will any of this community admit to this or did each and every single one of you get duped?
Samuel says
That is so uncalled for to say.
Samuel says
Congratulations, wishing you all the best.
Richard says
I’m with you.
Nancy N. says
And what could possibly make you think that? Because the only reason that springs to my mind that someone would is not based on her merits. So do enlighten us.
Michael Cocchiola says
Why would you say that? Are there racial implications?
Never cease to amaze me says
SALLY- LEAVE!! LEAVE NOW! JUST GO AS FAST AS IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE!
YOU ARE WITHOUT A DOUBT THE MOST DISRUPTIVE INDIVIDUAL AND HAVE NO
BUSINESS WHATSOEVER MAKING DECISIONS FOR THE STUDENTS OF FLAGLER COUNTY!!
Ria says
A BIG Congratulations to LaShakia!!
She will bring both the needed help and encouragement for our Students and School Faculty here in Flagler county.
Was happy to see a unanimous decision.
I'd rather use the other ketchup brand.. says
Sally Hunt is so disconnected from all of it that a vote for was simply a waste of time. Please resign!
Chong and Furry are a joke but at least on occasion they ask a good generic question. It still won’t make sense but they sound good asking it….
Concerned Community memeber says
Yes! She needs to go
Carl Jones says
Ed, last I checked DeSantis was not on this school board ballot. Whether Dems were duped is your question? Duped can only happen, in my opinion, when the person that is running runs on deception. Are you implying that? If Hunt did that then yes we were duped. If she ran on her platform and we elected her and then she was peer-pressured to swing the other way, no I don’t agree that we were. It’s just GOP cowardice in action!
doris says
Good, maybe she can put an end to all the alabaster-bashing and tranzy-pandering going on in our schools.
JAY MARLLES says
She needs to go as well as Furry.
Judith Michaud says
Sad that color is always the issue over qualifications in the last few years ! I wish our new superintendent the best of luck and I pray we will get 3 new board members at the next election! Thank you Cheryl and Colleen for always putting our kids first !!!!
Ed says
Are you suggesting she is being pressured by the non democratic board members? I’m pretty certain her “activist” background and ideology would not allow that to happen.
What I’m suggesting is she received the votes as a vote against Jill Woolbright who was endorsed by Governor Desantis.
Is that clear enough? Dems were duped.
My explanation seems more likely than yours. She is not being pressured to do anything. She is being her own person!
Carl Jones says
I AM! Due diligence on vetting? Are you serious? How much vetting went into your governor and your former supposed president?
But you are clear that Woolbright was endorsed by your racist governor!
You are not clear that Dems knew she would get elected and act like the person she was running against, a cowardice GOP supporter, that is BS! If we knew she would assume the seat and then start being “herself”, GOP activist as you called it then we were duped. But we accept our mistakes and learn from them, unlike your party, a party of cowards.
Ed says
Mr Jones just a secret between us, I did not vote for both of our 45th President. He was yours as much as mine and apparently neither of us voted for him.
Second, Sally Hunt is not a Republican nor would she ever entertain the party, so she is not a GOP activist.
You know that even dyed in the wool Dems can also be extremists, it not always owned by the right. I simply voted for Jill because I felt her to be the devil I knew.
Lastly, thank you for your military service.
(Not nice to call friends and neighbors cowards)
Carl Jones says
Thank you Mr. Ed, it was indeed a pleasure to serve this country for 26 years of my life. A career that wasnot always kind to us but we gave and some gave all! Politically speaking, if a person repeatedly commits crimes do we call this person a criminal? If a person consistently lies, do we call this person a liar? If a person continues to support and fund a criminal and a liar, what do YOU call such a person? If my friends and neighbors support a criminal and liar, I would call them a coward to their face, because they lack the courage to do the right thing, this is not political, it’s right or wrong. It’s what we “should” be teaching our kids. Yes, the truth is not always kind, it hurts sometimes but it “should” always be way we choose. But I will be kind today, if I offended any of my GOP friends and neighbors with the truth, I apologize. I should not generalize, I’m only talking to those that know better but choose to continue to support the GOP party, knowing they are wrong.