- March 10, 2025
School officials have reiterated over the past month that safety is the district’s top priority.
A new color-coding system, refined emergency plans and discussions with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office are ongoing as officials hope to keep students safe.
But for Laura Lauria, the parent of an Old Kings Elementary School student, it was enough talking. It was time for action.
And so, about two weeks ago, Lauria donated $11,776 to the Flagler County School District to fund an armed, off-duty Sheriff’s Office deputy during school hours at Old Kings.
Despite not having approval from the School Board, Flagler Superintendent Janet Valentine approved the donation and allowed a deputy to begin working the overtime detail.
On Tuesday, the School Board unanimously approved the donation, which will allow a deputy to be on the Old Kings campus for the next two months. But the donation wasn’t accepted without a detailed discussion on safety — and process.
‘It’s a Band-Aid’
Valentine said Nancy Willis, principal at Old Kings, called her right after winter break, stating that Lauria, an active parent, wanted to see a school resource officer at the school.
School officials have expressed their desire to bring SROs back into elementary schools since the Newtown, Conn., tragedy, but funding continues to be a hurdle, officials say.
Valentine said a plan will be presented to the School Board Feb. 5, which will include hiring SROs for all elementary schools. “Our challenge will be how we’re going to come together to pay for that,” Valentine said.
School Board member Trevor Tucker, who made the motion to approve the donation, thanked Lauria, adding: “I think it’s a good thing anytime anyone wants to help out the school district. I see nothing wrong with this.”
While School Board member Sue Dickinson agreed, stating that safety has always been part of her platform, she expressed frustration with the process.
“This is putting a Band-Aid on a major wound,” she said. “I am very grateful for the donation, but my problem is we have more than one elementary school.”
Dickinson said it might appear as if the School Board is setting a precedence, saying that safety at Old Kings is more important than safety at other schools because a particular parent can afford to make a donation.
“I would like to see the board say we’re going to find the money, and we’re going to put SROs back in the elementary schools instead of waiting,” Dickinson said, “because that, to me, is a statement to the community that this board really does stand behind safety.”
Although no promises were made Tuesday night, the School Board seemed optimistic that a deal could be reached to fund five more SROs.
SROs were removed from elementary schools about four years ago because of budget cuts, said School Board member Colleen Conklin. Although safety is the No. 1 issue, Conklin said it’s also about building relationships with students and providing instruction on issues, including alcohol and drugs.
“It’s such an emotionally charged issue,” Conklin said. “We can’t send the message that one group of students is more important than other groups of students.”
Valentine said the plan that will be presented in two weeks will be a “three-pronged approach,” including communication, security of each school and the cost of SROs.
School Board Chairman Andy Dance said that although this was an unusual instance, it’s what makes Flagler County schools great.
“I think the schools are the safest they have ever been,” Dance said. “I believe we should be looking at all the contributions that our parents make to help our schools. This really — even though it’s unusual — it’s not out of the purview of the superintendent and the School Board.”
