This is what the extremist right-wing takeover of our schools is leading to. This amazing woman has done incredible work for the children of Flagler County, but because her husband has shed light on the roaches that took over the school board, they are attacking her. To the point where they are driving out one of the best things for youth in their county. In the name of serving the youth. Shameful behavior by adults who are seeking power rather than to serve. Check out the comments for more of the backstory that Ms. Cheryl is too polite to talk about. Ms. Cheryl: Why I Am Leaving the Flagler Youth Orchestra | FlaglerLive I was going to be working for the Flagler Youth Orchestra until the morning of my funeral. At least that was the joke in my circle. It hurt me at my core when people would ask if I was going to resign once my son graduated. Somehow, they didn’t see that the effort I put into this program wasn’t for him. My family would make it happen for him regardless. I was doing this for the students who didn’t have the same opportunity. I couldn’t imagine work any more rewarding than this program. Perhaps too much of my identity was woven into the mission and my role as Ms. Cheryl these 18 years, which is also why I could never imagine ending my involvement. As of today I am no longer the director of FYO. I have requested that my contract for next year be pulled from consideration. It isn’t what I wanted to do. But the conduct of some of our school board members toward me personally and toward the program has been reprehensible and inexcusable. It leaves me no choice. More importantly, I have a family and my own future to care for. I was offered an incredible opportunity to work with an organization in an environment and with a mission that reminds me of the caring principles of the FYO at its best, with a hugely improved compensation package. I would be insane not to have taken it. These two or three malevolent school board members made their intentions clear. I am now making mine clear.
What an utter tragedy and just a horrible episode that shows some of the real costs of this bizarre hateful reactionary moment we are in, especially in this state. Hurting kids in the name of trying to help them, with zero sincerity
Wish her the best. Plenty of other areas in this country will be happy to have her. Sounds like she found one.
There sure are a lot of nasty-ass people in this world. I always ask myself who raised them, and how.
phil - do you know how recently the three SB members were elected? It's a terribly unfortunate circumstance resulting from political division and ultimately hurting a whole lot of people, for what? For those who didn't read the letter, it appears that the orchestra and its director were targeted with misinformation campaigns and an audit because her husband works for the newspaper highlighting some of the school board members' indiscretions. IOW - punishing the spouse of a school board detractor from the media. This program is somewhat unique in that it's not a during-school organization, but is partially funded/supported by the school district. After working the first year with zero pay, the director was being paid 30k/year with no bennies. There were 350 children in the program, which is exceptional during an age when strings programs are struggling. To those who think schools are nothing but liberal indoctrination centers, please get better informed. This was politics butting its head in where it didn't belong.
True - meanwhile, though, the fallout is that 350 children who were receiving a uniquely valuable experience have lost their musical/social/intellectual mentor.
Agreed. It’s unfortunate. Elections have consequences - even small ticket local ones. This is a potential opportunity for children elsewhere.
I just read all the linked materials. Those are some toxic, emotionally disfigured people attacking the program
Thanks for posting. Personal agendas over educating kids. Sad. Just read the comments to understand what a positive force for Flagler’s kids she was.
No surprise. This is what happens when the crazies get some power. It has never been about helping the kids and always about imposing their personal beliefs on everybody else. And they learned from Daddy Donald and Uncle Ronald that anybody who stands in their way is the enemy and must be dealt with harshly.
First, shame on the school board for “forgetting” about the account and as a result, not conducting the required annual audits. And there is some culpability on Mrs Tristam for basically pleading ignorance on how to properly account for a school district program that apparently handled thousands of dollars each year. But this comes down to a feud between a liberal publisher and editor of a “non-profit” newspaper and some far right whack jobs who are infiltrating schools boards throughout the state. And the result is the kids suffer. One more question… Mrs. Tristan wasn’t directly employed as an actual music teacher so why not just simply set up her own business and run the program completely independent of the school board?
The district supplied rehearsal space, which is a huge commodity, not to mention about 30k in salary. It might be easy enough to fundraise for the salary/stipend, but not easy to find space for 350 kids to practice. This would involve at least three large rehearsal spaces for orchestras + 12 or so rms for sectional rehearsals (violin, viola, cello, bass). They may also have wind and percussion players. The district may have also provided instruments for some of the children.
Funny thing is I used to work with one of the new members when I was in the ER. She was a nurse, I was never really impressed with her skills in that area….
Yep. End of the day, it's unreasonable to expect her to take on significantly more work just to maintain the status quo of the program due to the poor behavior of the elected officials here when she received a far better job offer elsewhere.
Why don't you tell us how you really feel. Being a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant myself I am offended, not by the fact that you feel this way but by the fact that you can get away with saying that here. If I or anybody else were to reverse the races or religions there would be hell to pay.
You had a gold mine working for $30K. Apparently she screwed up the accounting, but wasn’t a thief. There’s is a world of difference between mistake and intent. MOL idea nothing but destruction.
You brag about being a civil rights lawyer yet everything is political to you. You are not one bit interested in civil rights, just that your side gets their way.
