- July 26, 2024
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Flagler Schools' custodial director Ken Seybold recounted how he got Ron Crowley to leave Buddy Taylor Middle School on the morning of Jan. 26 while administrators and staff prepared an assembly to honor Crowley as the Rock Star Custodian of 2021.
Seybold told Crowley they were going to look at furniture for BTMS for the school's inclusion of sixth graders next school year.
“He's taking pictures; he's counting desks,” Seybold said. “Because that's what Ron's going to do.”
Crowley, who won the national award, sponsored by the Academy for Cleaning Excellence, was honored with a spotlight at the March 22 School Board meeting.
BTMS principal Cara Cronk said Crowley is so much more than the school's custodial coordinator.
Crowley, who has been at the school for 27 years, “interacts and invests so much in our students, teachers and our staff members,” she said. “The students know him as Mr. Ron and 2 Chainz. He just brightens their day by asking how they're doing. He will give them words of wisdom all the time.”
Seybold nominated Crowley for the award which he won by a popular vote. Seybold recited the ACE's nine criteria for the award: “Communication, utilizing resources, service to others, takes ownership, optimistic, determination, integrity, analyzes and a nurturer.”
“If that's not the definition of Ron Crowley, I don't know who is,” Seybold said.
Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt presented Crowley with a plastic-encased poster of The Palm Coast's Observer's article on the award presentation.
Among other spotlights at the board meeting, John Fanelli informed the Board that the district was recognized for its innovative approach to Positive Behavioral Interventions Support during the pandemic.
Flagler County was the only district in the state to have 100% of its schools receive the PBIS Resiliency Award during the pandemic's remote learning period.
Fanelli, the district's coordinator of student supports and behavior, said faculty and staff rose to the occasion to adapt the PBIS program to remote learning with virtual student groups, one-on-one mentorships and a partnership with Papa John's in which digital gift certificates were awarded to students who were turning around their behavior. Upon receiving the certificates, Papa John's delivered a pizza to the student's home.
“We really got innovative and creative,” said Fanelli, who earlier in the day was named to fill the Palm Coast City Council District 2 seat.
Flagler Palm Coast High School student Ashley Osland was recognized as the winner of the Flagler County Voter's Guide design contest, as selected by the School Board.
Debbie Neuman, coordinator of Focus on Flagler Youth Coalition, and Marian Irvin, the coalition's board chair, led a presentation on Youth Advocacy Day in Tallahassee.
Middle school and high school students met with seven state legislators on the topic of tobacco, vaping and substance abuse prevention.
Two of the four Flagler County students who attended Youth Advocacy Day spoke about their experiences.
The final spotlight of the meeting was a surprise for Sabrina Crosby, who is retiring as the district's administrative coordinator for communications and special projects.
Crosby organized the spotlights for the board meetings.
“You make everybody feel connected. We'll miss you very, very much, as will the community.”
COLLEEN CONKLIN, speaking to Sabrina Crosby on her retirement
“Every community group we have through the years adores you,” said School Board member Colleen Conklin. “You make everybody feel connected. We'll miss you very, very much, as will the community.”
Board member Janet McDonald called Crosby “the Energizer Bunny.”
“We can't fill Sabrina's shoes,” said Mittelstadt, “so we're sunsetting her position. We are going to miss you, but she has already signed up to be a volunteer.”
“It's my job,” Crosby said. “I love it and I'm going to miss it.”
