FLAGLER COUNTY – The Flagler County School Board’s reorganization meeting stretched nearly nine hours past midnight on November 18, with multiple tied votes for chairman and vice chairman positions creating a complex leadership selection process that finally concluded at 3:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremonies and Meeting Start
The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with Superintendent LaShakia Moore presiding as required by Florida law until the board’s reorganization was completed. Following a moment of silence, FPC Air Force JROTC cadets presented the colors, led by Advisor Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Baskerville. The Indian Trails Brass Quartet performed the national anthem.
Judge Andrea Totten was to preside over the swearing-in ceremony for the new chairman and vice chairman, who would serve from November 18, 2025, through November 17, 2026.
After roll call confirmed all five board members present, Superintendent Moore opened the reorganization meeting at 6:05 p.m. The board unanimously approved the agenda with a 4-0 vote on a motion by Will Furry and seconded by Christy Chong.
Chairman Election Process
Superintendent Moore explained that Florida statutes and board policy require the board to elect a chairman on the third Tuesday after the first Monday in November each year. Three board members received nominations for chairman: Christy Chong, Janie Ruddy, and Lauren Ramirez.
Before voting, board members were allowed to explain why they wanted to serve as chairman. Chong emphasized her four years of experience and time management skills. “I’m really good at time management and keeping things on track. So, I do think I would be good at keeping our meetings moving along and organized,” she said.
Ruddy highlighted her accomplishments during her first year on the board, including bringing in a contact from fleet services that could save the district $1 million, advocating for gifted students, and helping develop a transportation communication board to reduce parent anxiety during bus shortages.
Ramirez pointed to her extensive training, having earned over 70 certified board member credits from the Florida School Boards Association without missing a single training opportunity. “I feel like that training has really prepared me for this role,” she said. She also mentioned her experience serving on state-level committees and her willingness to attend events when other board members were unavailable.
The first vote for chairman resulted in a tie. Chong received two votes from herself and Furry. Ruddy received two votes from herself. Ramirez received one vote from herself. This split meant no candidate achieved the majority needed to win.
After a discussion about proper voting procedures and whether board members could vote for themselves, the board conducted a second vote. This vote also resulted in a tie with the same distribution of votes. Multiple subsequent votes followed the same pattern, with neither Chong nor Ruddy able to secure a third vote for a majority.
During the extended deliberations, board members discussed various scenarios and voting strategies. At one point, there was confusion about whether Ramirez could abstain or must vote for one of the other candidates to break the deadlock. Legal counsel clarified voting procedures and options available to the board.
After several hours and multiple tied votes, Ramirez eventually voted for Chong, breaking the deadlock. The final vote showed Chong receiving three votes. Chong was elected chairman with this majority.
“Thank you so much. I really do appreciate everyone’s vote of confidence,” Chong said after being elected. “I look forward to working with everybody and moving Flagler forward.”
Vice Chairman Election
The board then moved to elect a vice chairman. Two candidates were nominated: Will Furry and Lauren Ramirez. Furry stated his qualifications, noting his previous service as chairman and his experience. Ramirez also explained why she wanted to serve in the position.
The first vote for vice chairman resulted in another tie. Furry received two votes while Ramirez received one vote. However, confusion arose when Ramirez voted “nay” when her own name was called, effectively voting against herself.
Legal counsel explained that this created an unclear situation for the minutes. They offered two options: either conduct another vote where the outcome would be clearer, or Ramirez could withdraw her nomination, which would automatically make Furry the vice chairman without requiring another vote.
After considering her options, Ramirez chose to withdraw her nomination. This made Furry the vice chairman without requiring another vote. Superintendent Moore confirmed that Furry would serve as vice chairman for the 2025-2026 school year.
Leasing Corporation Meeting
Following the chairman and vice chairman elections, the board immediately convened the Flagler County School Board Leasing Corporation meeting. Furry, as outgoing president, called the meeting to order at 2:56 a.m.
The board unanimously approved the agenda on a motion by Chong and a second by Ruddy, with all five members voting in favor. After opening the floor for public comment and receiving none, the board proceeded to elect officers for the leasing corporation.
Superintendent Moore presented the slate of officers: Chong as president, Furry as vice president, LaShakia Moore as secretary, and Patty Wormeck as treasurer. The board approved these officers unanimously on a motion by Ramirez and seconded by Ruddy.
The board then considered minutes from the November 19, 2024, leasing corporation meeting. With no changes proposed, the minutes were approved unanimously on a motion by Furry and seconded by Ramirez.
Superintendent Moore reported no other business to come before the leasing corporation. The board adjourned the leasing corporation meeting on a motion by Furry and seconded by Ruddy, with all members voting in favor.
Closing the Reorganization Meeting
After some confusion about the order of business, the board moved to close the reorganization meeting itself. Furry made a motion to close the reorganization meeting at 3:00 a.m., with Ramirez providing the second. The motion carried unanimously, with all five members voting in favor.
The meeting officially adjourned at 3:00 a.m., approximately nine hours after it began. Board members had navigated multiple tied votes, procedural questions, and legal clarifications before completing the reorganization process required by state law.
The newly organized board, with Christy Chong as chairman and Will Furry as vice chairman, will serve through November 17, 2026. As required by Florida statutes, the superintendent will file documentation with the Department of Education within two weeks identifying the new chairman and vice chairman.
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