- April 16, 2026
Dear Editor:
With the recent unsolicited proposal to purchase the school-owned property on Palm Coast Parkway, it’s important that we approach this opportunity with the utmost fiscal responsibility and long-term vision.
As our community continues to grow at a rapid pace, so does the need for thoughtful, forward-looking planning; especially when it comes to educational and recreational facilities. Any decision involving public assets must focus on maximizing value for taxpayers while meeting the evolving needs of residents.
One practical solution worth consideration is for the school district to evaluate its property inventory and identify parcels not suitable for future school construction. Rather than allowing these properties to sit idle, the district could sell these obsolete assets and reinvest the proceeds into a dedicated pool for the school district’s use. It could also be opened to the community when appropriate, but schools would have a facility designed to meet their instructional and athletic needs.
Selling these properties also returns them to the Flagler County tax base, helping to diversify and strengthen the county’s tax structure.
At the same time, we must acknowledge the important role the YMCA has long played in serving families across our area. However, with the Frieda Zamba pool nearing the end of its functional lifespan, maintaining the status quo is no longer sufficient.
Looking ahead, our growing population will require more than a simple replacement. We need modern, adaptable facilities that can support school programs, community recreation, and future growth.
The ideal path forward would be a collaborative effort to develop both a dedicated school facility and a new, state-of-the-art YMCA. However, this vision must be achieved without placing additional burdens on taxpayers.
The funding is out there; it’s a matter of identifying it, prioritizing it, and having the resolve to fight for it.
Ron Long
Candidate for Flagler County School Board District 4
