Community group asks Flagler School Board to consider free facility use for six-week "Catalyst" summer literacy program

Cheryl Massaro, a former Flagler County School Board member, urged the board during public comment March 25 to consider allowing a community organization called Catalyst free use of five classrooms at Belterra Elementary for a six‑week summer literacy program aimed at struggling readers in grades 5–9.

Massaro said the program is designed to boost literacy and leadership skills. “It’s a six‑week program. It is free to lower‑scale readers. They get six and a half hours, they get breakfast, they get lunch, they get a field trip every week,” Massaro said. She told the board Catalyst has operated similar programs in Volusia County high schools and contends it raises reading scores.

The program leaders, Massaro said, would…