- January 28, 2026
After a spirited discussion concerning the job description of Flagler Schools’ next Chief Human Resources Officer, the School Board agreed to add a post-hire requirement that if the selected candidate does not have an HR certification, then they must attain one during a time frame as selected by Superintendent LaShakia Moore and her senior staff.
Lauren Ramirez’s motion to change the job description as proposed by district staff, passed 3-1, with Will Furry voting against at the Board’s Jan. 27 meeting.
The district’s current HR chief, Bob Ouellette, is retiring at the end of the school year. During a Jan. 13 workshop, HR Supervisor Joshua Walker said the job description’s intent is to “cast a wide net” that would then be narrowed as applications come in.
The job’s list of qualifications include certification in administration and supervision, educational leadership, human resource management or other leadership certification. Janie Ruddy requested that a specific HR certification, such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) qualification, be added.
But when the job description came before the board for a vote on Jan. 27, no change was made.
Ruddy had the item moved from the consent agenda to action in order to discuss. There were no other action items on the board’s agenda.
“I understand that in our city of Palm Coast, we may think our applicant pool might be limited,” Ruddy said. “But in today's world, people move for careers. This level of seniority with the Chief Human Resources Officer role would attract folks who would be eager to live in our wonderful community. And as such, I would want to ensure that this role lists the qualifications that are essential to help us navigate our challenges that we have moving forward.”
Ruddy added the job description could give a selected candidate six months to attain the certification.
Moore said a year would be a more reasonable time frame to attain a SHRM certification.
Furry made a motion to leave the job description as is. The other listed qualifications are a master’s degree and a minimum of five years experience as an administrator or supervisor (preferred).
“I trust the district’s discernment,” Furry said. “They’ve done an excellent job hiring excellent talent. I lean on that track record. We have to approve these (hires) as well. There are plenty of safeguards here if we feel the person is unqualified.”
Furry also questioned why Ruddy sought a change at the board meeting, and not the workshop, saying, “This is why we invest time in workshops. I like these things to be done in workshops not on the dais,” although Ruddy did bring up her concerns at the Jan. 13 agenda workshop.
Ouellette said a key piece to the puzzle is that the chief HR officer makes substantially more at other districts in the state.
“Talent concentrates around monetary compensation, sometimes,” he said.
Ramirez said a certification would be a low-cost safeguard for this role.
I do think that having some kind of credential is a good idea, not necessarily prior, but if you're a great fit, you will be an even better fit if you have this certification within the time period the district feels is right.
— LAUREN RAMIREZ
“I do think that having some kind of credential is a good idea, not necessarily prior, but if you're a great fit, you will be an even better fit if you have this certification within the time period the district feels is right,” she said.
Moore said she is not opposed to adding a professional certification or its equivalent after hire within a reasonable time frame.
“Education now isn’t about the certification you come in with, but the professional learning you continue to engage in,” she said. “We are most valuable when we have opportunities for continuous improvement as times change.”
Furry’s motion to keep the job description as is failed on a 2-2 vote with Board Chair Christy Chong voting along with Furry. But Chong then changed her vote on Ramirez’s motion for a post-hire HR certification requirement.
“I see all the viewpoints,” Chong said. “And I trust the superintendent and the district staff that she will hire the right person.”
