After months of hinting at it, Flagler School Board member Sally Hunt tendered her resignation to the school district on Friday. A spokesman for the district confirmed her resignation Friday afternoon, bringing the Board down from five members to four. She’s indicated since the summer that she plans on moving to Georgia when she’s able to, thus relinquishing her School Board duties.
Hunt was elected in 2022, ousting Jill Woolbright from the Board in a narrow victory following a tumultuous couple years over social issues. She campaigned frequently alongside fellow candidate Courtney VandeBunte, both of whom were associated with a more socially progressive ideology for the School Board. Since being elected, Hunt has been unpredictable in her tenure and at times confounding to her observers and colleagues.
Hunt adopted a practice of frequently calling into School Board meetings over the last year or so, citing concerns for the safety of attending the meetings in person. She represented the swing vote that did away with Cathy Mittelstadt as Flagler Superintendent, a decision which drew widespread backlash from the community. She’s been one of the tougher elected officials in the county to communicate with since reverting to remote duties, often opting for less-than-comprehensive responses to media comment requests.
Hunt’s letter of resignation reads as follows:
“Chair Furry,
“I am writing to formally submit my resignation from the position of Flagler County School Board Member, District 1, effective immediately.
“As you know from your own experience, a lot of hard work went into my campaign, and my early departure from the Board was not an intended or desired outcome of that hard work and commitment to help strengthen the Board and District.
“While I have been disheartened by and departing because of the manipulation of truth and the lies that continue to be shared and accepted regarding targeted Board members and the District as a whole, I am so proud of what the Board has accomplished in just under two years.
“I would like to commend you for your leadership this past year, and believe you and I have proven to be a great example of politics as it should be, approaching the business of the Board respectfully and collaboratively even though we each have strong, and sometimes opposing, convictions on the topics that have come before us.
“I wish the Flagler County School District and Board continued success moving Flagler Forward and would like to take this opportunity to once again appreciate LaShakia Moore for her incredible talent, leadership, and dedication to creating and sustaining a premier learning organization that benefits all Flagler County residents and businesses, and especially benefits our awesome and brilliant students.
“Sincerely, Sally Hunt”
A Flagler Schools spokesperson did not immediately say how the district would proceed with filling Hunt’s term, which expires in 2026. It appears probable that Gov. Ron DeSantis may be able to appoint her successor, potentially altering the political philosophies of the School Board considerably. DeSantis endorsed Board members Will Furry and Christy Chong in 2022, while his third pick, Woolbright, lost. A DeSantis-appointee would create a majority of members who align with his educational agenda.
With Hunt’s departure the district will have only two members with any experience whatsoever; Furry and Chong were elected two years ago. Members Colleen Conklin and Cheryl Massaro are leaving office, with members-to-be Janie Ruddy and Lauren Ramirez taking their place at the end of the year.
Sally Hunt has been contacted for comment, and any response she provides will be added to this article.
TR
September 20, 2024 at 5:49 pm
Thank goodness. See Ya.