- September 11, 2024
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As Flagler County School Board members were discussing a change to one board policy during its Aug. 20 workshop, Cheryl Massaro suggested another policy change. Massaro proposed making meeting attendance mandatory for board members barring unavoidable circumstances.
Massaro’s proposal was precipitated by board member Sally Hunt's virtual attendance at several meetings in recent months. But Hunt was in attendance on this day.
Massaro, who missed the previous workshop herself, said there are times when board members cannot make it to meetings, but when it becomes a pattern it makes the board ineffective and looks bad.
Hunt said she has been consulting with interim board attorney David Delaney who advised her that she has been in compliance with board policy by attending meetings virtually.
Hunt has said she plans to resign her seat before November when two new board members are sworn in. Massaro’s term also ends in November.
Massaro said her goal is that a new attendance policy is never needed but added that if board members stopped doing their job and continued to get paid they’d be taking money from taxpayers.
Hunt and Massaro have had several clashes during the two years they have both been on the board, especially on discussions and votes involving not renewing the contract of former Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt and the firing of board attorney Kristy Gavin.
Hunt said a number of policies have been broken during the two years she has been on the board.
“I ran for this board for it not to be a circus,” Hunt said, adding that Massaro’s “laser focus” on her has been challenging.
“You have been such a bully on this board,” Hunt said to Massaro.
Board Chair Will Furry tried to keep the discussion on Massaro’s proposal, asking Delaney what recourse the board would have if a member violated a policy requiring them to attend meetings in person.
Delaney said the board could only censure a member.
“The governor has not shown an inclination to remove school board members unless there is a violation of law,” he said.
Delaney said a “plurality of districts, if not an outright majority” have a similar policy as Flagler’s, permitting virtual attendance by board members.
Massaro also noted that the governor has taken 9-12 months to appoint a new board member after a resignation.
“This board could be deadlocked,” she said. “I get questioned all the time, ‘Why are we letting this happen?’”
Hunt said it was a lot of work to run for the board. “I had every intention to go to all the events and be a positive and effective force on the board,” she said. “I agree with you. Board members should do all of those things. Whatever you decide to do, I think is great.”
But Furry said, “There is no point in putting in a policy that we can’t enforce.”
“The bottom line,” said board member Colleen Conklin, “is it’s nice to have you here today, Sally.”
The board did direct Superintendent LaShakia Moore to have staff adjust Board Policy 205 on public decorum during board meetings. The change would take out the requirement of a board vote to remove a person who is willfully interrupting the meeting.
