- March 24, 2026
This story will be updated
Palm Coast Assistant City Manager Lauren Johnston is leaving the city after about 17 years in various positions to become the new chief of operational services with Flagler Schools.
Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore recommended Johnston for the position to replace retiring Chief of Operations Dave Freeman. Moore also recommended Joshua Walker as the school district’s new chief of Human Resources to replace Bob Ouellette, who, like Freeman, is retiring at the end of the school year. The School Board is expected to approve the hiring of both new chiefs at its board meeting tonight.
Walker is currently the district’s supervisor for Human Resources.
Johnston had been Palm Coast’s acting city manager from March 19, 2024 to Dec. 17, 2025 when new City Manager Michael McGlothlin began serving in that role.
As the school district's chief of operations, Johnston will oversee several departments including plant services, custodial services, food services and transportation
“I think it's going to be a great opportunity to utilize my skills to continue to serve in our community,” Johnston said. “I’m a graduate of Flagler Schools, and I believe that the school district serves a huge piece of why our community is so great. I'm looking forward to being with Ms. Moore and her leadership team. I think it's a great opportunity for me.”
Johnston was a member of Matanzas High School’s first graduation class in 2008. She began working for the city while she was still in high school as a part-time recreation leader. She got her first full-time job with Palm Coast in 2011 and then worked with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office for one year before returning to the city.
Johnston served as director of parks and recreation and was named chief of staff in 2021. She was appointed assistant city manager in April 2022. She became acting city manager after the City Council fired former City Manager Denise Bevan. Johnston temporarily filled the position with the understanding that she would return to her position as assistant city manager when a new city manager was selected.
Moore said Johnston’s experiences with the city will transfer to her new position.
“We are super excited about Lauren joining the school district,” Moore said. “We’re excited that she is continuing to serve our community. As chief of operations she will be doing much of what she does for the city but in a different capacity.”
Johnson will work with plant services in building out five-year and 10-year capital plans, Moore said. Interlocal agreements, school impact fees and proportionate share mitigation will also fall under Johnston’s leadership, Moore said.
“She’ll be leading a lot of the work around planning for a new school,” Moore added. “We’re watching Bunnell and the westward expansion. We know we’re going to need a new school in the west part of our county.”
Johnston said the opportunity is the best fit for herself and her family.
I had had a couple conversations with some community leaders and saw it as a great next step for my career. Whenever an opportunity presents itself, you evaluate it, how it best fits my family, what's best for us. And this happened to present itself.
— LAUREN JOHNSTON
“I had had a couple conversations with some community leaders and saw it as a great next step for my career,” she said. “Whenever an opportunity presents itself, you evaluate it, how it best fits my family, what's best for us. And this happened to present itself. I've worked alongside the current chief of operational services, Mr. Freeman, for quite some time in various capacities, and he's a great leader. I look forward to continuing the momentum that he's built up at the school district.”
Moore said there will be some overlap in the positions with Johnston and Walker working alongside Freeman and Ouellette for a couple of months. Moore said Johnston and Walker will begin their new positions between April 20 and May 2.
Johnston said her last day with the city will be April 17.
Walker, who also graduated from Matanzas High School, has worked for the school district in several capacities, but he has a passion for Human Resources, Moore said.
“He will be a great addition,” Moore said. “He’s already serving on boards on the state level. He presents at different conferences. HR is what he wants to do and I’m excited about that. It’s what he loves.”
Johnston and Walker are expected to be introduced at the April 28 School Board meeting.
