FLAGLER COUTY, Fla. (October 12, 2022) – What better way to demonstrate the effectiveness of a program than showing the results? Setting the stage for the renewal of the half cent sales tax referendum on November’s ballot, Flagler Schools and the Flagler County Education Foundation are in the midst of a full court press to ensure voters know why it’s so vital to the continued success of the school district.
Over the past two decades, the school district has gone from aimless to intentional in the curriculum planning, launching the cutting edge flagship programs and taking students from the classrooms to meaningful, self-sustaining careers.
From biology and agriculture to robotics and technology, Flagler’s students are on the path to success as a result of a collaboration between the school district and the business community, supported by funds from the half cent sales tax.
Starting in 2002 the district’s long-term plan laid the infrastructure ground work over the first 10 years, followed by the sales tax renewal in 2013 that allowed the district to take the next step of providing 1-to-1 learning devices for students, according to Theresa Phillips, a Technology Instructional Specialist.
“We were actually one of the first counties in the state that was able to do this,” said Phillips.
Offering guided tours of the school district’s flagship programs, community leaders from all sectors are being engaged to see for themselves firsthand, the benefits to the students and share what they have learned with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.
On Tuesday, the cross sector representation included Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill owner John Lulgjuraj, Flagler Habitat for Humanity executive director Lindsay Elliot, Flagler School Board candidates Will Furry and Courtney VandeBunte, and Sated Ventures founder Karolina Guilcapi.
Elliot, who has working to break the cycle of poverty through homeownership via Habitat for Humanity sees the investment in Flagler Schools through the half cent sales tax as another piece of the puzzle.
“We at Habitat have started a prep club now for our middle and high school students to encourage education and fiscal responsibility and community service. For us, it’s not only about getting adults into homes with their families but it’s encouraging the best life possible for the students,” said Elliot.
Flagler County Education Foundation board member Maria Lavin-Sanhudo agreed.
“I think it’s so important because a lot of people don’t realize what the benefits are, how this half cent tax really, really helps our community, all aspects of our community,” she said. “It’s our future. It will continue to help our schools grow, keep our schools safe and help every aspect in education.”
Splitting into two groups, guests of the lunch and learn toured the Law & Justice program’s court room, relocated from an actual courtroom in Jacksonville with the help of Florida Representative Paul Renner and rebuilt by the school’s construction program.
“It was the students, with their own foreman, that built this,” explained Jeremy Ossler, CTE (Career and Technical Education) Coordinator.
The replica court room provides students a place to practice mock trials and gain valuable experience along with the forensic science classroom, taught by Gloria Barton, 2019 MHS Teacher of the Year, where students work crime scene cases. Barton shared the students will be reconstructing and assessing crimes from the works of Edgar Allen Poe this fall.
Kianna Moorman, a MHS senior has been a part of the digital media flagship program and said the experience has helped her master programs like Adobe’s Photoshop, Illustrator, and In Design, while discovering her passion for digital art.
Thanks to the mentoring and nurturing received by her teacher Amanda Johnston, Moorman now plans to graduate from the University of Central Florida with a teaching degree in digital design.
“It’s not only teaching me about those program I want to teach but it also teaches me how to teach other people as well, which is what I want to do,” she said.
Serving as the Class of 2023 Vice President, she’s an ambassador for her school’s flagship programs and her confidence is an inspiration for classmates as they seek to revitalize school spirit post COVID.
Helping to maintain a sense of normalcy during the COVID period was the ability for teachers and students to stay connected while distance learning. While other districts across the nation scrambled to train teachers on remote instruction and students on digital learning, Flagler Schools didn’t miss a beat thanks to the laptops and iPads funded in part by the half cent sales tax.
“I would say it is crucial to sustain everything that we’re doing and to keep on the cutting edge,” said Maria McGovern, District Technology Coordinator. “We have been very committed to keeping our promise. We have in the past 20 years and will continue to do that in the future.”
“I’ve been very fortunate I’ve been here for many years. So been here before the half penny sales tax and throughout the two renewals and get to see the difference of what is actually being able to happen and to watch really young students come out and have successful career in what they have a passion about,” she said.
Also on campus is the culinary program with students operating a café, marketing and finance program operating the Matanzas High School VyStar Branch, and the construction program, partnered with the Flagler Home Builders Association.
To schedule a tour, visit www.flagleredfoundation.org, scroll down to Half-Cent Sales Tax Tours and fill out a reservation. Next tours: Wednesday October 19, 2022 from 9 am to noon (Topic: Elementary Schools Flagships), and November 3, 2022 from 8:30 am to 11:00 am (Topic: Computer Science Flagship)
