Flagler County School Board member Sally Hunt questioned whether district schools should continue to be used as shelters during tropical storm or hurricane emergencies, and whether the district could go to late starts rather than cancel whole days of school in certain emergencies.
The questions surprised her colleagues and Superintendent LaShakia Moore when Hunt brought up the ideas at the end of workshop last week–when, with increasing regularity, school board members spring grievances, demands or ideas for future discussion. Board Chair Cheryl Massaro and the superintendent had to explain to Hunt that schools are an integral part of emergency management, and that school closures are carefully calibrated between the potential risk of a storm emergency and the safety of students and staff.
Hunt’s idea was prompted by the superintendent updating the board at a workshop last week on how some school staffers will make up lost time (and pay) on Oct. 16 because of the day lost to Hurricane Idalia, which caused one day’s school closure in Flagler County.
Hunt jumped in, in a characteristically elliptical and not altogether coherent way: “Can I just add like a crazy thing to the conversation,” she said. “When this last closure happened, actually where my mind went to was, again in the spirit of talking about community partnership–listen, I don’t want to get into global warming. That is a whole topic. But there is a concern of mine that our schools are being used as shelters. So you know if we find year after year that there are more and more hurricanes.”
She then talked about her childhood in northeast Nebraska. “If there was a potential blizzard coming, you did not know the day before if school was going to be opened or closed. They kind of, it was a wait and see, and maybe we had a late start because it was my understanding that as long as students are there for lunch, like you got the state funding.” So her district had “a whole heck of a lot of late starts. And so my question is, just to go way off: Is it possible to work with Flagler County, other municipalities to find out–are there other buildings that could be used as shelters, like a community center, like so that because when you’re talking about a hurricane and we just never quite know where it’s going to go or how bad it’s going to be, or not be?”
She talked about wind levels and bus safety. “I just hate the idea of us having to close down when maybe we didn’t have to, or maybe just from a safety perspective, if it’s at all stormy, we just want to close down. Anyway, I just–that was a thought that I had.”
It did not appear that Hunt knew how emergency management determines whether or when to open shelters, or why schools are used as shelters. State law is explicit that “that this state not have a deficit of safe public hurricane evacuation shelter space in any region of the state.” Statewide plans are devised every two years to ensure that space. The law also singles out schools as public buildings that would be part of sheltering plans worked out long in advance of emergencies, in coordination with local emergency management and the health department, which submits its requests for special needs shelters.
Schools are built to resist significant hurricane winds (up to a point) more than most buildings, are roomier than most buildings, enabling the groupings of populations when necessary (such as the segregation of covid patients during those periods), are always equipped with kitchens that serve large populations, which are essential during sheltering emergencies, and are often equipped with back-up power generators, also essential at special needs shelters. Few other buildings combine those amenities.
Typically, the county’s special needs shelter has been located at Rymfire Elementary, and its general population shelter at Bunnell Elementary, In more dire emergencies, additional shelters–or schools–are lined up as potential locations. The county’s emergency management director, in consultation with county and school officials, is responsible for deciding if and when shelters are needed, and district officials–not board members–are responsible for making space available.
Typically, the emergency management director will err on the side of caution, so as not to take risks, which could result in needless loss of life. So school closures end up being more likely than not when a storm’s path is in a gray area of doubt. That was the case with Hurricane Idalia earlier this month. “When that decision was made, that decision was made based on the potential for weather that we had,” Superintendent LaShakia Moore told Hunt. The closures are a matter of safety for school and staff, not just because some of the schools may also serve as shelters, she said.
“This past storm I think ended up being a bit of a nothing burger, right?” Hunt said of Hurricane Idalia.
“It happens,” Massaro said.
“I guess maybe just to put it out there that if we find that there are more and more hurricanes, that is just something that I would recommend,” Hunt said, “that this board think about to see if again, if it’s a 10 o’clock late start.”
There was not much interest in that approach. “We want to be sensitive also to the needs of our families and our employees,” Moore said. “So making the call at the right time to determine, can people plan appropriately, can they safely evacuate or come in if they need to? So we’re thankful that that last storm did not have an impact on us. But I believe that we made the right call.”
Hunt didn’t question the call, but she again referred to “unprecedented weather” and wondered “what if we did ever have like eight hurricanes that were in the area or potentially in the area,” which could cause many days’ closures. (Florida experienced four hurricanes in six weeks in 2004, though not all in the same parts of the state. In Flagler, only Hurricane Charley had an impact that year.) But she appeared to concede that the matter is properly coordinated between the district and emergency management. conceded: “It sounds like there’s a lot that goes into it,” she said.
Concerned citizen says
Sally Hunt needs to go. She is questioning the safety of our community, our children and our families. Our schools have been used for shelter for the 30 years that I have been here. I do not know where this woman’s frame of mind comes from but I do know that she needs to leave
Evacuee says
Seems like educational info is needed for a certain board member… in more ways then one…
Old Guy says
In the words of the late, great, Jerry Lewis. “Lady, are you for real?” I wasted that vote for sure.
BLINDSPOTTING says
OLD GUY: LOL everytime we hear her talk folks we get alittle more dumber!
Concerned Citizen says
Sally Hunt needs to spend time with Emergency Management. Then she might get an education. And know what she’s talking about.
Mark says
Might be a better idea to have Emergency Management make a presentation to the School Board on EM works so they are ALL educated.
Robert Joseph Fortier says
Thanks for you reasonable approach.
Roy says
Yes. Let’s educate all the board members and not just the one that has no idea as to what she is doing. I have a better idea. Let’s tell all the black about the dangers of poor grades and not just the ones with poor grades.
Thunderstruck says
In a state/country/world that cared, we would ensure that every new development, apartment complex, mobile home park, etc. has to provide a storm/hurricane/tornado shelter, large enough to hold all residents of each place before being issued permits and being allowed to build. But instead we don’t want the developers to make less than the obscene profits they do, so we allow them to throw up these places w/o any concern at all as to the ever growing threat of stronger and more often occurring storms and disasters. It’s pure greed, and suggesting that they should stop using schools as shelters is completely insane. Suggesting that we send children “late” to school when a hurricane is looming is even more insane. How do these people get elected? Is this the best we can do?
DP says
Great idea, but not doable. The first thing that comes to mind is, who is going to maintain that structure? And will it continue to be repaired
and maintained accordingly? The county is ultimately responsible for the protection of its citizens and providing shelters.
dave says
Concerned Citizen, spot on. Maybe School Board Member Hunt with a full week in the EMS ( during a hurricane) will understand why 1000’s of people have to leave their homes during high wind and storm surge, not to mention, protecting life. Sally Hunt, again failed to do any research.
Dee says
She needs to go safety of the community and children should be first priority this woman doesn’t know what she is talking about
PeachesMcGee says
Send the folks needing shelters to her house.
I swear, the buffoons elected should be tested for basic competency first.
dave says
Hunts only true competency is that she fooled a lot of voters with 1/2 truth’s and deceptive campaign promises. Even her fake resignation was planned. She sure acts like a Trumper in disguise. I like her comment when she was running “We hear a lot about the dysfunction of the school board,” she said. “. Well she has turned into that dysfunctional role model FOR the school board.
Jc says
Did people actually vote for this woman? It doesn’t take a genius to understand the concepts of being prepared for possible weather conditions. Just someone with common sense…..which definitely seems to be lacking.
Jim says
I’d like to think that school board members think about subjects that need discussion in board meetings before opening their mouths and spouting comments without any supporting background or basis. I don’t even understand what her goal was.
This is a school board member responsible for the education system for children. It doesn’t get more ironic or sad than this.
Poor kids, staff and teachers. They don’t have any hope….
Mary Ann Suwinski says
WOW! This lady is nuts! Sally Hunt comes up with the most stupid things to address to the board and our community. What really upsets me is how she approaches her dumbness but always saying “This might be a silly question”. Yes Sally everything that comes out of your mouth is not only silly but so stupid. Only 2 more years of her! People of Flagler County we need for her to go!!!
Percy's mother says
This woman somehow managed to cover up her mental “fragility” rather well during her campaign for school board.
Actually, she was the lesser of the 2 evils, the other evil being Jill Woolbright, who thankfully was voted out.
Now we have this woman who has obvious issues, and who is in no way qualified to hold a school board seat. For God’s sake, she worked as a salesperson for Walmart for years.
But again, it was either her or Woolbright, and none of us wanted Woolbright did we?
c says
@Percy’s mother,
Unfortunately, I’ve said this before, and it is only going to get worse …
For the past 30 or so years (that I can readily remember), the choices given in most political elections have been almost constantly boiling down to what I call ‘TweedleDum or TweedleDumber’. No longer do we have the opportunity to choose between Qualified candidates to vote for one that best supports our own positions, ideals, and viewpoints – it is now trying to make a selection as to Which? candidate will do the LEAST damage. Just look at the various options we have had over the past few elections, on every level from local to Federal.
On top of that, we have poor validation and vetting of potential candidates prior to the elections. And after the elections, once the candidate wins a position, we have very poor mechanisms for removing them when they finally show their true colors, ala George Santos (and Sally Hunt locally).
Add flavoring with a partisan voter attitude (I’m gonna vote Red or Blue, no matter WHO), and the refusal of folks to accept factual information that conflicts with the hallucinatory vows, promises, and condemnations of candidates, and we have the perfect recipe for our present state of elections and government.
To finish icing the cake, we also have the common situation of extremely poor turnouts at elections, with most people looking at them (elections) as a chore that they can avoid, and the folks who DO vote do not usually have an easy route to information regarding candidates (even with the internet).
—————
I don’t see an easy fix for this. In the current political and social climate you have to either be VERY public-spirited to run for a political office, or, as evidenced by current events, power-hungry and willing to lie and/or do anything it takes to get elected.
Laurel says
C: Very good points.
The candidate with the most name recognition (signs) wins. More donations, more signs. Politicians will never go for this, but we should outlaw outside money in elections. No outside money for city elections. No outside money for county elections. No outside money for state elections.
I remember, when living in Lake Worth, that a woman was running for Mayor. We got flyers with pictures of a terribly run down house, supposedly in Lake Worth, and supposedly owned by the woman running. I did minor research, from the comfort of my living room couch, and found both claims of the flyer to be untrue, and that an outside PAC printed, paid for and delivered the flyers.
Now, readers, FYI: Flagler Live has written articles on different candidates before elections, making it easier for people to research. To follow roadside signs, and an “R” or “D” before their names, is dumbing down America. It doesn’t take too much effort to dig a little deeper.
Nancy N. says
And that’s the REAL problem underlying all of this…that we had to choose the lesser of two evils. Which is becoming pretty much the usual when voting here in Flagler. How do we attract quality candidates, because we desperately need some?
Chip D says
You were doing fine up until the Walmart dig. Starting to sound just a bit elitist.
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
Whoever one works for should not be a disqualifier, whether it’s WalMart, Wendy’s or Bottom’s Up does not matter as long as they can do the job. She can’t.
TR says
With the last hurricane we had IMO the media was at fault for scaring everyone that caused the schools to close. Sometimes I wonder if the media doesn’t realize that there is a large elderly population in Fl. and they can not just pack up in a moments notice and go. We live in Florida and Ian was so far away on the tracking that I knew we were not going to get nothing but some rain and a little wind. I have lived her since 1989 and out of all the threats we have had including the three back to back hurricanes years back. Didn’t see anything that the media was saying. yes it’s better to be safe then sorry, but using ones common sense and logic would work a lot better. But Mrs’ Hunt IMO has no clue what she’s talking about by taking away the use of the schools as shelters when it definitely needed.
BIG AL says
Sally go back to Nebraska. Keep your mouth close….
No brainer says
Makes no sense. Schools are built to withstand and have the gym space for many. Bathrooms, waterfountains, etc. No Brainerd..
Denali says
“Schools are built to withstand”; withstand what? A hurricane? A snowstorm? Upon what do you base this fallacy? Please delineate the required structural improvements to a school compared to say a big box store.
Laurel says
Denali: Space. No massive inventory. Minor rearrangement in a short period of time. Larger kitchen instead of a break room.
Denali says
“No Brainer” states that a school is ‘built to withstand’. This implies that a school will withstand the force of a hurricane better than other buildings, this is simply not true. That was the subject being discussed.
The creature comforts you mention are for a place to stay after the hurricane has passed through and folks are trying to put their lives back together. They have no bearing on whether a building will survive a hurricane.
There is a huge difference between “built to withstand” and ‘built to temporarily house after the storm. In Katrina, the Superdome (AKA ‘shelter of last resort) did neither.
TR says
Denali, I look forward to a snowstorm here in Florida, NOT LOL. However, a school is built a lot safer that most of these new homes that are being built in PC. Most all new developments (just drive up US1) are stick homes. Also are the ones in Daytona along Williams Blvd. This to me is the dumbest thing in the world especially in a state or area where a hurricane can happen. I’ll bet that if you had a house built with 2 x 4rs it would get blown away faster than a house built with masonry block. Which is what most schools are built out of these days so that’s why it’s a good idea to use the schools for a shelter when needed. Besides they have back up generators (which most homes do not) in case someone is on oxygen and needs power to live. If they stayed home and their power goes out for days because of a hurricane, then guess what they will not survive. What if it was one of your family members on oxygen. Where would you think they would be safer? In a stick home with no power or in a brick built school with a back up generator?
Denali says
TR – “a school is built a lot safer that most of these new homes that are being built in PC”; please enlighten us as to how this is true. You obviously have no knowledge of the Florida Building Codes, structural engineering or construction techniques. The codes treat all occupied structures equally. The same wind speeds that are applied to school are applied to a single family residence. That ‘masonry block’ house you mention will not hold on to its roof any better than a wood frame house – the major points of failure in houses are the garage doors, windows and the roof. The framing of the house is usually the last casualty. Do schools not have windows? Keep in mind that none of our schools have modern impact resistant windows. Due to the location of the schools, they are not required.
Yes, the generators are a good thing, but usually only after the storm to sustain life as you mention and provide other creature comforts. While mostly anecdotal, everyone I have known who used an oxygen concentrator had some form of back-up power for their device. Those using bottled oxygen would not be affected by a power outage.
If you read my words carefully, you will note that I have never said schools should not be used as shelters. My comment is that they are not built to any stronger standard than other buildings. Personally I have always felt that schools and other public buildings should be hardened to provide better protection during natural disasters.
Someone says
Have you actually stepped foot in our schools? Have you stepped foot in RES? These structures are equipped with hurricane shutters and are able to withstand Hurricane force winds better than most structures in palm coast. These structures have access to essential elements such as power, water, and a large cafeteria where individuals can eat: Access to bathrooms. There are individuals that reside in flood areas and areas that are prone to destruction from hurricanes and tropical storm winds. Even now flooding is a problem for some families now due to the recent rains.
Denali says
“Someone” has failed Reading 101. My statement has always been that the Florida Building Code does not place different structural requirements on a school and a single family structure. My intent has always been that no one should be lulled into a false sense of security in thinking that a school is a hurricane hardened structure. It is not.
The ultimate design wind speeds for both structures in the eastern half of Flagler County is 130 – 135 mph. The only adjustments to this would be for building height and exposure category. But those adjustments would be equal.
Any structure in Palm Coast west of I-95 where what you call ‘hurricane shutters’ have been installed has done so in excess of the code requirements. Admirable, but not required. Of course those shutters must be installed properly, stored and maintained. In actuality, I do not recall ever seeing any such shutters in place at either of the schools on north Belle Terre. By the way, these shutters do nothing to ensure that the roof stays on a building. I will again offer the Super Dome during Katrina as an example.
With regards to schools having access to electricity – they have no more ‘access’ than my house. If you mean that they have generators, yes, they do. But the code only requires that those generators power essentials such as emergency lighting, fire alarms and internal communication systems. Kitchen equipment is not required to be powered by said emergency generators.
I take no exception to your thoughts about “individuals that reside in flood areas and areas that are prone to destruction from hurricanes and tropical storm winds”. If they live in such an area (most all of coastal Florida), they need to obey evacuation orders and seek available shelter.
The only thing the county schools have going for them (excepting Matanzas High School) is their location west of I-95 on higher (?) ground and being away from the coastline.
Someone says
And better equipped in which is why they are better shelters than most homes…Thank you for providing evidence that schools in this county serves as better shelters.
Denali says
I have provided no such proof, just the opposite. Your twisted statement is indicative of so much that is wrong in this country. Reading comprehension is in the toilet.
My premise has always been that schools provide no greater structural resistance to a storm than a single family dwelling. If you cannot comprehend the difference between creature comforts/needs and structural robustness, please move on to a topic you do understand.
The dude says
Which horrible idea is the main thrust here?
Keeping public buildings made to be shelters closed during times when shelters should be available to the public?
Or keeping schools open during hurricanes?
Or Mrs. Hunt multitasking here?
I think she should focus on one horrible idea at a time…
PDiddy says
What a numb skull. A lot of pre planning goes into opening and closing the shelters in time of need. I wish she would do her homework before she opens her mouth…
Truth says
No Ms Hunt, the number of hurricanes is not increasing according to the National Hurricane Center.
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastdec.shtml
Joseph Barand says
She suffers from the Trump syndrome.
DMFinFlorida says
A “nothing burger” … What mature, educated adult elected for the deeply critical task of administration of our children’s education talks like an 80’s Valley Girl at a meeting, workshop, or retreat?! I wonder if she bothers to do any research in advance of some of these outrageous statements she makes. Highly doubtful based on the quotes we read just about daily.
I also wonder if she bothers to read any of the public comments. I’ve known high school students with more maturity and intellect than this woman. Glad Woolbright is out of the picture but for the love of what’s left of the Flagler Education system … get rid of her (and Furry and Chong). Sad that Conklin and Massaro aren’t running again – they were the only sanity in that circus.
Tony says
Schools and Public Buildings are an asset for the entire community and in times of need they are used to protect and benefit everyone. Time for Sally Hunt to wake up and realize this.
Oh brother says
She has a friend, Lisa Perkins, that she is going to try to help get elected to help her. Remember the name.
BLINDSPOTTING says
Oh brother: Yes, that was alias Maria Cruz and various other fake names on
FB that Danko made up for her, she was rallying for Lowe, this person is very
manipulating and dangerously ignorant and if Hunt is tryiing to get her onto
the school board Hunt is definitely a Trumper, that’s how manipulating they
are. DON’T VOTE FOR LISA PERKINS!
PC Dave says
Seems to me all she did was ask a question. She wasn’t demanding anything be changed, she just put something out there for discussion. And everyone wants to shit on her for it. I’d rather have people who ask questions rather than keep their mouth shut and just go with the flow.
But I guess that wouldn’t be towing the party line, whichever one it is. Because that’s been working so well.
Nancy N says
Not everything is worthy of discussion. Not all questions are worth asking. The whole point is that it was a stupid question that she should have known way better than to have asked in the first place. This question by Sally was of the “Is a root canal better without anesthesia” variety, and the fact that she apparently thought it was worth discussing demonstrates her complete lack of understanding of the school district’s role in local emergency management.
Mark says
On the Board yet fails to understand that schools are an integral part of a Community, or she’s become a puppet for someone pulling the strings off stage.
JustBeNice says
Can Hunt even ask a coherent question? We are from up north too and experienced late starts so that snowplows could clear the main roads but a hurricane or possible one is totally different. Hint should know all this as a rep of the district.
I hope she doesn’t get re-elected.
RobdaSlob says
I can’t figure out which is more entertaining – Nebraska Girl “ or all the comments.
School Board Sally My ... says
I think the comments. I check this article daily for them to be fully honest. Hunt’s the only Board member who generates widespread disgust, anger, shock, and awe from the people. As for this article, the Hunt did not disappoint! Flaglerlive – please keep the Hunt articles coming!
Boogeyman says
This woman has proven herself to be a complete and total idiot! She should go back to Nebraska and count cornfields. From what rock to these people slither out of?
Pissed in PC says
JFC every time she opens her mouth just shows how uneducated she really is! Did she really pay for her college degree cause I’ve only got an AA in Business Management and understand more than she does. I’d probably do a much better job than she’s doing. Honestly I can’t even see how she got her teaching license but Florida has some really low standards.
I’ll tell you what Sally how about the next hurricane that comes you open your house to those kids you think needs to be in class instead of hunkering down or evacuating with their parents. Drive them home in the middle of those heavy winds, rain! Oh can’t get on the flooded roads then be prepared to keep them overnight or for several days. You feed them, make sure they have a bed to sleep in and can provide basic first aid if they need it! If you can’t do that then go stand outside for however many hours it takes for the area to be deemed safe and the power is restored to all homes.
You’re the biggest voting and supporting regret I’ve ever made.
To the citizens of Flagler County I hope you replace her at the next election. She won’t get my vote cause I won’t be here.
Skibum says
While I’m no fan of hers, let us try to be a little more realistic about what the article says occurred. I have always remembered the phrase “there are no dumb questions”, and it appears to me that Hunt brought up the issue and was asking questions, seeking information. While it may have been an eye rolling moment for some who were there or heard about it afterward, wouldn’t it be far better to let those with more experience and knowledge about local evacuations make the moment a learning opportunity for her? At least from my perspective it appears she was truly looking to explore and learn, instead of, like another local elected official, trying to use her authority to push through a ridiculous personal proposal to annex an area of county beach for a new city park. As I said, I’m no fan but I think we should let this issue be more of an opportunity for her to learn more about which buildings are suitable for evacuation shelters, and not discourage elected people from at least asking questions, no matter how silly they may appear to others.
Mary Jane says
Hee we go again with Flagler Board of Ed. I am beginning to think Hunt just likes to cause chaos and enjoys her name always being in the news, except all the articles are all negative about her.
Please stop with this Board of Ed drama and do the job you were elected to do.