Flagler School Board Information Workshop Rundown

Flagler School Board Highlights Student Design, Explores Healthcare Savings at Information Workshop

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Bunnell, FL – April 8, 2025 – The Flagler County School Board convened for its Information Workshop on Tuesday, April 8th, covering a range of topics from student civic engagement to employee healthcare and policy updates. The meeting, held at the Government Services Building, saw robust discussions and key decisions made by board members.

Student Design Chosen for Voter Guide Cover

The highlight of the afternoon was the selection of the winning design for the 15th Annual Voter Guide Cover. Supervisor of Elections Katie Lenhardt joined the Flagler School Board to oversee the process, which showcased the talents of digital design students from Flagler Palm Coast High School (FPC) and Matanzas High School (MHS). The contest provided students with a valuable real-world experience in civic engagement. After a close vote that required a tie-breaker, a compelling design featuring an eagle and the Bill of Rights emerged as the winner. The winning artwork will be officially unveiled at the upcoming board meeting on April 22nd.

FLEET Presents Health Insurance Restructuring

Representatives from the Florida Educator Health Trust (FLEET) presented a comprehensive overview of their newly restructured statewide health insurance program. FLEET, an initiative of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, aims to provide self-insured school districts with risk-sharing benefits, reduced stop-loss premiums, and greater cost predictability. Board members engaged in a thorough discussion, focusing on the potential for long-term savings and the impact on employee premiums. The board directed staff to compile district-specific data modeling to further evaluate the feasibility of FLEET membership.

NEOLA Policy Updates Under Review

The board received and discussed three new policy chapters (1000s, 3000s, and 4000s) from NEOLA, covering administrative, instructional, and support staff. Board members agreed to individually review the extensive documents and submit their notes by a designated deadline. Following the submission of feedback, the district will determine whether further discussion can take place in a regular workshop or necessitates a dedicated meeting.

Information Items Reviewed:

• Travel Reimbursement Policy: Proposed updates to Policy 716, concerning travel expenses, were reviewed. The suggested changes include doubling the existing per diem rates to better align with current costs. Staff also committed to researching the use of GSA per diem rates and will present a comparison at the next meeting.
• Health Insurance Clinic Utilization and Vendor Transition: Staff addressed School Board inquiries regarding the utilization of the current health insurance clinic vendor and confirmed recent enhancements to access options. The Board was also informed of the upcoming transition to a new vendor, Marathon Health, which will exclusively serve Flagler Schools employees, promising improved appointment availability and personalized care. More details will be shared at the next workshop.
• Permission to Advertise NEOLA Policies: With the receipt of the three new NEOLA policy chapters, the Board will commence individual reviews. The collected feedback will determine if a special workshop is needed to facilitate further discussion before potential adoption prior to the next school year.
• Proposed Interlocal Agreement with Volusia Schools: An interlocal agreement with Volusia County Schools was reviewed, which would allow for cross-county school zoning in border areas. This agreement would enable students residing near the county line to attend closer schools across county boundaries and includes provisions for annual renewal, student eligibility, behavioral expectations, and transportation guidelines.
• Donations to FTC’s CDL Program: Flagler Technical College (FTC) received a significant donation of three covered trailers, valued at $135,000, from the Florida Department of Agriculture to bolster its Commercial Vehicle Driving Program. This contribution will modernize the program’s fleet and enhance workforce training opportunities. Staff are actively working to secure a donated truck tractor from state partners as well.
• Student & Staff Travel Approvals: The board reviewed and approved student travel requests for the FPSPI Global Competition in Indiana and Matanzas High School’s Steel Drum Band performance at Six Flags. Staff travel to a school culture conference in San Diego was also reviewed.
• Legal and Vendor Payments: The finance team clarified that the majority of legal-related vendor payments listed on the agenda pertained to payroll garnishments or third-party settlements, not litigation against the district. Discussions also covered minor grant-funded purchases, surplus inventory procedures, and budget transfers related to contracted services.
• MOU Updates for Mental Health Providers: Updated Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with local mental health providers were reviewed, emphasizing required student data privacy agreements to ensure compliance with state legislation and the security of student information.
• MOA with UF Lastinger Center for Khanmigo Pilot: The Board reviewed a proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the University of Florida Lastinger Center to participate in the Florida Tutoring Advantage Program. This partnership with Khan Academy and the AI-powered tutor Khanmigo would provide all students in grades 6–12 with access to individualized academic support. Flagler’s successful participation in a prior pilot program led to this expanded opportunity. Staff indicated that the agreement is pending final adjustments before the April School Board meeting.
• Summer Literacy Program: Felicia Benzo, founder and executive director of Catalyst Global Youth Initiatives, requested free use of Belle Terre Elementary School, school bus use, and custodial support for its independently run summer academy program. Although this academy has been offered in Volusia County for a number of years, there was no information provided on the curriculum that would be used in this summer program. The six-week academy would have approximately 50 student participants, with a student/mentor ratio of one per ten youth. The Flagler School Board asked Ms. Benzo for further information and clarification to be provided for a tentative summer 2026 implementation. 

Board Member Comments:

Board members actively engaged in discussions, expressing their commitment to both the well-being of employees through careful consideration of healthcare costs and their support for student engagement in various academic and extracurricular activities. They praised staff for their thorough presentations and highlighted the value of community partnerships.

Superintendent Comments:

Superintendent Moore underscored the significance of Flagler Schools’ involvement in the Khanmigo pilot, expressing enthusiasm for the district’s continued leadership in AI-integrated instruction. She also acknowledged the board and staff for their collaborative efforts in navigating complex policy and healthcare matters, affirming that strategic progress remains on track across all departments.

Looking Ahead:

The next Flagler County School Board meetings are scheduled as follows:

• April 22, 2025 – 6:00 p.m.: Regular Monthly School Board Meeting, Government Services Building, Board Chambers
• May 6, 2025 – 1:00 p.m.: Information Workshop, Government Services Building, Training Room 3