- December 4, 2025
Flagler County School Board member Janie Ruddy questions why a board policy revision is necessary which spells out that “staff may not post or display personal advocacy, ideological, political, religious, or comparable symbols or messages on classroom doors, walls, or other areas visible to students or the public, unless expressly approved by the district.”
To Ruddy the proposed revision to Policy 9700-A is redundant and micromanaging.
“We already have a professional ethics clause, and this rule risks adding redundancy and a level of essentially superseding the leadership of the district and the school in micromanaging what is being displayed and made available in the classroom,” Ruddy said at a School Board workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
She said the policy revision could lead to “additional antagonistic relationships between community members and teachers.”
Later in the discussion, she said the revision "fuels the discord."
District Special Projects Coordinator Marcus Sanfilippo presented the board with 40 policy revisions and seven technical updates based on new legislation, Department of Education guidance and Board of Education rules as well as a review of federal and state law.
The board approved the updates for advertising purposes at its business meeting later that evening with a final vote expected at the next board meeting on Oct. 28.
Of the 47 proposed updates, Policy 9700-A was the only one based on a board member’s request. Sanfilippo said the revision was written by Flagler Schools attorney Sven Smith based on board member Christy Chong’s request.
I would argue that the language that we had was not good enough. This began four or five weeks ago when we had conversations and feedback, so I do think that this better protects us. ... The more clear and concise it is, the easier it is to enforce.
— CHRISTY CHONG
In response to Ruddy’s statements on the policy, Chong said, “I would argue that the language that we had was not good enough. This began four or five weeks ago when we had conversations and feedback, so I do think that this better protects us, actually, on what we are allowing. The more clear and concise it is, the easier it is to enforce.”
In February, 2023, Chong asked about a poster in a Matanzas High School classroom that read, “This is a safe space for LGBTQ students and their allies.”
“Let me try to choose my words carefully," Chong said at the Feb. 22, 2023, board workshop. “Within that classroom there's a poster on the wall pushing the LGBTQ agenda, and I want to know how much this is going on in our schools. If we can't hang bible verses or pray, then we shouldn't be pushing any kind of agenda in our schools.”
Chong and Board Chair Will Furry both said that they have continued to hear complaints about material in teachers’ classrooms.
Chief Human Resources Officer Bob Ouelette said messages in classrooms must be related to that teacher’s curriculum.
Superintendent LaShakia Moore said the district has processes for addressing complaints about materials in classrooms. If teachers are not following professional standards and the code of ethics, that would be addressed through disciplinary measures, conversations or corrective coaching.
The language in the board’s new policies as written by policy service provider Neola, was passed by the board just last month.
That language was clear enough for the district, Moore said, adding, “we can add additional language if that is the will of the board.”
Furry said he believes the latest revision makes it pretty clear.
“I have fielded several complaints about these type of issues, I'm dealing with one right now, as a matter of fact," he said. "I think this (revision) makes it very clear, sends the message … for those that are trying to promote an activism that they'll have to answer to that through the professional standards. But just like any policy, if an educator, any of our staff, needs clarification before they do something, they can seek counsel for that within our organization. I think that's a prudent thing to do if you feel that it falls outside of these descriptions.”
With board member Derek Barrs officially resigning on Sept. 30, the board could have just four members at its next meeting depending on when Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints a replacement. Furry told the Observer tha he will reach out to the governor to ask for a speedy appointment,
“It really depends on applications,” Furry said. “And I don’t believe they’ll be available until Oct. 1.”
