- April 9, 2026
Dear Editor:
As so often happens in elections, a candidate wins who does not have the requisite experience, isn’t vetted properly, or voters get tricked by sleazy campaign tactics. Such is the case with Will Furry running as the Flagler County School Board District 2 incumbent candidate.
The bulk of Furry’s working experience was that of a real estate salesman or a player in the mortgage lending business. Furry had no education related experience and only a high school diploma. Nationally about 80% of school board members have a bachelor's degree or higher.
But he ran, seemingly not based so much upon experience, but rather was inspired by conservative Christian values referencing his faith as the motivator for his political aspirations, even though this "God-led" rhetoric puts into question the intersection of religious conviction and secular school board policy.
Additionally, aside from being somewhat short in qualifications, his past business experience reveals concerning stuff. Furry’s campaign resume includes working as a “real estate appraiser” and “chief appraiser” suggestive of him holding a license, which he doesn’t.
In 2022, Furry's School Board campaign was embroiled in sleazy misinformation tactics, which tanked a more qualified School Board opponent. Although he contended he wasn’t involved, he refused to condemn it despite it being glaringly unethical. He felt deception was a First Amendment right, seemingly excusing immorality if it achieved his election win.
It’s reasonable therefore, to not only question Will Furry’s School Board qualifications, but also consider that certain past activity clearly fails to align with his professed ardent Christian based values and principles, a cornerstone of his candidacy.
Ethan Kantor
Palm Coast
Editor’s Note:
According to an American Enterprise Institute report in 2011, “Nearly three-fourths of board members have at least a bachelor’s degree,” based on a survery sample drawn from 7,100 school disticts nationwide.
The “misinformation tactics” the letter writer is referring concerns a campaign mailer paid for by Conservative Political Action Committee, Flagler Forever, that was designed to look like it was sent by supporters of Furry’s opponent in 2022, Courtney VandeBunte. The mailer thanked VandeBunte “for standing against [Gov.] Ron DeSantis and his harmful education agenda.” Furry said he did not know about the mailer and had no control over the PAC.
School Board member Will Furry has responded to the above letter:
Dear Editor:
Before addressing this criticism, I believe the focus should be on my results. During my first term, I have served as chairman of the Board twice, delivered top-down leadership change, achieved year-over-year academic improvement, cut wasteful spending, and rebuilt our financial reserves to $11 million — helping prevent a potential state takeover trajectory. That is the record I stand on.
The claim that I am unqualified because I do not hold a four-year degree reflects a narrow view of success. I am proud of my background. I have been a strong supporter of career and technical education because not every student’s path runs through a university. My own success in business reflects the value of alternative pathways, and I will continue to advocate for students pursuing them.
A School Board member is not a teacher — it is a leadership role focused on governance, budgeting and accountability. By those standards, our district is stronger today under my leadership.
The attacks on my professional background and past campaign are misleading. I have been clear that I did not participate in unethical tactics, and I stand by my integrity and record. I am also proud to have been previously endorsed by Governor Ron DeSantis as a defender of parental rights and a voice for common-sense leadership.
Finally, I will not apologize for my faith. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, and my values guide me to serve with integrity and purpose. Voters deserve facts and results — not personal attacks. I remain committed to serving our students, families and community as your District 2 School Board Member.
Will Furry
Flagler County District 2 School Board member
