- November 21, 2024
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The Flagler County School Board voted 3-2 at a special meeting on Tuesday, April 4, to not renew Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt's contract, which expires on June. 30.
The meeting was adjourned immediately after the vote without closing comments. So, the superintendent addressed the board members in an email Wednesday morning. Here's the email:
Hello, School Board Members.
I was unable to give closing comments last night as the meeting ended prior to my doing so. These are the thoughts that I was prepared to share.
Maya Angelou said “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
I am truly grateful to those who have supported my tenure as Superintendent including public commenters last night, interactions with community members, complete strangers who approached me in our local stores, my family and friends. I have lived here for over 2 decades and I am in my 30th year as an educator serving in Florida.
The past 3 years have been without a doubt both the most challenging and rewarding when I reflect on where Flagler Schools is now.
The board’s decision yesterday evening not to extend my contract provides a clear path moving forward regarding a search for the next Superintendent of Flagler Schools. I trust that you will use community stakeholder input with the Strategic Plan metrics to appoint a leader that will work to overcome any identified deficits you feel need to be addressed.
When you look around the state of the 67 school districts that have achieved top academic performance, it begins with a School Board that is deeply grounded in supporting academic growth and the development of all facets for student learning. I encourage this board to own this high standard and find common ground in order to do great work together in the next few years and help Flagler Schools rise to that level of academic performance and sustain that top mark.
My focus remains as it always has and that is to support our students’ educational needs. As we enter the last and most important quarter of the school year, our students need all of us to focus on their learning opportunities so that they are able to finish the school year strong.
Engage, Educate and Empower are the foundational words of Flagler Schools. It has been an honor to serve as the Superintendent for Flagler Schools and to elevate excellence on behalf of all our students.
I believe our most important work is always in front of us.
Elevating Excellence,
Cathy
