After student hit, Flagler board presses for traffic safety talks with city and sheriff

Board members used the Jan. 13 workshop to raise safety concerns after a student was struck near Seminole Woods Elementary.

A board member reported the incident and asked staff to open discussions with the city and the Florida Department of Transportation about restricting right turns on red at specific crosswalks (Belterre and Seminole Woods/Bulldog Drive) during student crossing times. Facilities and operations staff said they would bring the request to the district traffic team and coordinate with city traffic officials.

Separately, board members and staff discussed a rise in e‑bike incidents. One board member, who said they met with the district traffic safety team earlier that day, argued students require additional safety education and suggested exploring grant opportunities from the Department of Transportation. Operational staff said the district has scheduled a recorded safety segment with the City of Palm Coast and the sheriff’s office to inform families and students about e‑bike safety and local ordinances.

Legal counsel cautioned the board that the district’s legal responsibility for off‑campus incidents is limited and recommended close coordination between the superintendent and legal counsel to avoid inadvertently increasing liability through specific actions or promises.

Next steps: district staff will present traffic‑team findings and pursue intergovernmental conversations about potential restrictions on right‑turn‑on‑red at targeted intersections and will proceed with the joint public‑safety recording and education outreach.