Chief of operations requests extended leave; district outlines succession coverage

The Flagler County School District presented a request for a unique extended leave of absence for a chief in the operations department who plans to hike the Appalachian Trail with a veterans group. The leave crosses the fiscal year and was described as a two-part arrangement, the first portion running from mid-March to July 1, with a follow-up request to be presented later if the leave continues.

Assistant superintendent/HR and operations staff told the board that department directors and other chiefs would cover day-to-day duties during the chief’s absence. Staff described a division-of-duties plan that distributes oversight among experienced directors and senior chiefs; the district said the arrangement is intended to minimize disruption through the end of the school year. District leaders said succession-planning and standard operating procedures are being strengthened to reduce operational risk when senior staff are absent or positions turn over.

The board asked how critical duties such as developer mitigation plans would be handled; staff said a planner on the team will lead developer interactions and that Mr. Freeman (supporting that planner) would present before the board in subsequent meetings. The superintendent confirmed the leave will exhaust the employee’s accrued paid leave and then continue as unpaid, consistent with school board policy on leave.

Board members expressed the expectation that the district communicate any future shift in the coverage plan and noted the value of formal succession planning for critical roles. No formal board vote on the leave was recorded in the transcript; the presentation served to notify the board and to describe operational coverage.