We made an error, but it doesn't affect our vote

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

As you may have noticed on our front page, we need to acknowledge an error. In a story that first appeared May 9 online, we reported that the school district could realize $444,367 in savings by reorganizing its custodial services. The number was off by $400,000: It should have been $44,367.

Regardless of the error, we still feel it is best for the community if we vote no on the tax on June 7.

Facing falling student enrollment in Flagler schools, the School Board’s approach has been to pursue rezoning and transformation of some schools into K-8 centers, at a projected cost of $2.1 million. When asked to cut impact fees, the board declined, even though the fees are intended to build new schools in the event of increased enrollment.

And now, recently, the board has been presented with a plan to consolidate. Staff says the district will not be overcrowded if it closes a school. And yet, that choice has been seen as merely an act of desperation, and likely not a serious consideration.

Closing a school would cause a great deal of effort to pull off smoothly, but it is the responsible thing to do when, despite positive signs, the economy has yet to make a full recovery.

Some will argue that the cost of supporting the tax is small: only the cost of going out to dinner one time. But we feel that a course correction is in order, not an extra check.

Let’s vote no, and continue to work to make our schools as efficient and effective as possible in providing education to Flagler County children.