All those attending the September MOAA membership meeting could not help but leave the evening with a major boost in pride for our Flagler School System. Guest speaker, James Tager, Flagler Schools Superintendent, gave all many reasons to boast.

Brief and chock full of facts, Tager’s presentation began with a few statistics about the district, and various awards and distinctions received. Of significance is the fact that Flagler Schools are in the top 20 (of 67) districts in the State of Florida, while being the 3^rd lowest in dollars spent per student.

Tager’s focus, however, was on three goals he set for the district which he detailed to all faculty at the beginning of the school year: 1) increasing graduation rates; 2) providing acceleration opportunities for all students; and 3) moving the Flagler School District from a level “B” district within the state to one rated “A”.  

Supporting his first goal, Superintendent Tager spoke of making education more relevant and engaging for all students. He was pleased to recognize partnerships with four universities, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona State College, Bethune-Cookman University and, this year’s recent addition, the University of Florida, and the dual enrollment programs available to students. He noted the importance of role models to increase graduation rates, establishing a long-term goal of a mentor for each student. He spoke of the Veterans in the Classroom Program, and thanked MOAA member Billy Jones and Chapter 41 for our assistance in this area.

Delineating his second goal, Tager explained that students have different aptitudes and need differing and various outlets to demonstrate those aptitudes. He discussed the district’s programs to enhance student skill sets in certain industries, citing the construction technology program (on-the-job training) at Matanzas High School, the 7^th grade Microsoft Suite industry certification offered to students, and the Flagler-Palm Coast High School Firefighter’s Academy.

No doubt, fulfilling the first and second of Tager’s goals will naturally lead to completion of the third.

Finishing his presentation, Superintendent Tager was pleased to report the way the schools are well-integrated within our communities. He illustrated this by discussing the part the school and staff played during Hurricane Irma, the schools themselves serving as shelters for Flagler County residents, and the staff and administration working at those shelters during the hurricane. A video presentation of the schools’ assistance during the hurricane was shown as school district impact reports were distributed to attendees.