- October 14, 2026
Is it best for the Flagler County School Board to sell or lease some of the district’s property that has been determined to be unsuitable for educational purposes? Should the board consider cell tower rentals or solar advertising benches at some school sites for added revenue?
These were among the questions that board members have been asked to consider. Flagler Schools Planning Coordinator Lisa Divina and Chief of Operations Lauren Johnston presented the board with a review of all of the district’s properties at a board workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Among the properties are six vacant parcels, nine current educational facilities and two ancillary sites.
Here’s a look at each of the properties and what options the board might consider:
A1A and North Shore Boulevard: About 20 acres. Property appraised at $1,769,350. Acquired in 1984 through large development mitigation — Hammock Dunes. The property has flood exposure and is smaller than the district's standard 30 acres for elementary schools. Flagler County has a right of first refusal for any sale. Preliminary considerations are for further surplus inventory and evaluating partnerships.
Corp One: In April, the board rejected an offer to purchase part of the 7.11-acre property in a commercial corridor on 1 Corporate Drive in Palm Coast. Two appraisals in March were $4.46 million and $6.015 million. The property has been declared unneessary for education purposes. Board member Janie Ruddy asked if the property would be viable for leasing and the Hammock property for selling. Lauren Ramirez and Board Chair Christy Chong asked if selling the Corp One property would be the best option.
Bay Drive and U.S. 1 in Plantation Bay: The 26-acre parcel was appraised this year at $1.369 million. The property is constrained by wetlands. In 2022, the board determined it was not suitable for education or ancillary purposes. Like the Hammock property preliminary considerations are for further surplus inventory and partnership evaluations.
Seminole Woods I (west): About 30 acres acquired in June through large development mitigation — ITT/The Reserve. A consideration for added revenue is a rental for a cell tower. The property has been appraised at $1.67 million.
Seminole Woods II (east): Nearly 31 acres about a mile east of I-95. This site is more suitable for a school than Seminole Woods I.
Sawmill Branch (Palm Coast Park): About 30 acres at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Old Kings Road. Appraised at $1.658 million. Preliminary considereation is a future school site.
Belle Terre Elementary School: 76.77 acres. Potential for a cell tower rental at the southwest corner of the property, about 730 feet from BTES and 530 feet from Indian Trails Middle School. Superintendent LaShakia Moore noted the district has done a site-safe review for the cell tower at Flagler Palm Coast High School. “We are compliant with the federal regulation,” she said, adding that some people feel the regulations aren’t strong enough.
Bunnell and Old Kings elementary schools: No secondary uses identified.
Rymfire Elemtary School: Originally a K-8 concept with 61.32 acres. Ruddy asked about the possibility of expansion of the school with the county's middle schools close to capacity. Divina said there is a larger need in the high schools with about 400 more student stations needed, while the middle schools are 50 student stations short.
Wadsworth Elementary/Buddy Taylor Middle School: No secondary uses identified.
Indian Trails Middle School: With its proximity to the Indian Trails Sports Complex, renting out solar charging bench advertising would be a revenue option.
Flagler Palm Coast High School: FPC has a cell tower lease with Crown Castle. Solar charging bench advertising are an option.
Matanzas High School: In addition to cell tower and solar charging bench advertising, the board heard a pitch from Energyware to install a 1.8 megawatt floating solar panel system on the school’s stormwater pond. The company estimates about $3.33 million in energy savings over 25 years. Lease payments would start at $307,600 in the first year.
Flagler Technical College AIA facility: Appraised at $3.39 million. Considerations include cell phone tower and further surplus inventory evluation.
Education Way (Plant Services): A preliminary consideration for the 101-acre site is an expansion for co-location of operation services.
Patricia Drive (Wellness Center and pool): The former Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club is now the district’s clinic along with the swimming pool. The pool requires about $200,000 a year to run, Johnston said. Ruddy asked about the possibility of reserving capital funds to help support a new YMCA and remove the expenditures from the Belle Terre pool.
Moore noted that one long term priority needs to be building an education facility in the west part of the county where new homes will going up. There were three board members attending the workshop with Will Furry absent. In November, Flagler Schools will again have a full five-person School Board with the addition of at least two new members. So, discussions will continue.
