Flagler School Board Hesitant on YMCA Pool Partnership

District considers building its own Olympic-size pool instead of collaborating with Palm Coast on YMCA facility

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:09pm

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A bold, pop art-inspired illustration featuring a repeated icon of a swimming pool in a grid, rendered in bright neon blues, greens, and pinks, capturing the conceptual tension and debate around the school district's pool partnership plans.The Flagler County School Board's reluctance to collaborate on a shared YMCA pool facility reflects ongoing challenges in managing public aquatic assets.Palm Coast Today

The Flagler County School Board is not enthusiastic about a potential partnership with Palm Coast for a shared YMCA pool, instead showing interest in the district building its own Olympic-size pool. The board discussed the possibility of the district managing its own pool facility, citing concerns over the challenges of operating the previous Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club pool. The board is also considering selling a district-owned property on Palm Coast Parkway to fund other capital needs rather than investing in the YMCA pool partnership.

Why it matters

The school board's hesitation to collaborate with Palm Coast on the YMCA pool project could jeopardize the city's plans for the new facility and leave the district without a modern pool for student use. The board's interest in building its own pool raises questions about the district's ability to effectively manage such an asset after the issues with the Belle Terre pool.

The details

The school board discussed three main options at a recent workshop: a $3 million contribution from the district toward the YMCA pool, a memorandum of understanding to jointly own the YMCA pool with Palm Coast, and the potential sale of a 4-acre district-owned property on Palm Coast Parkway. The board is considering building its own Olympic-size pool instead of partnering with the city, but is concerned about the management challenges that come with operating a pool facility. The board is also weighing the sale of the Palm Coast Parkway property, which could provide funds for other capital projects rather than the YMCA pool.

  • The school board discussed the YMCA pool partnership at a workshop on April 16, 2026.
  • The board will vote on whether to accept or decline the offer to purchase the Palm Coast Parkway property at its April 28, 2026 evening meeting.

The players

Will Furry

A school board member who led the charge to close the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club, expressing concerns about the district managing a pool facility.

Janie Ruddy

A school board member who suggested the district should consider using funds from the potential property sale to address other capital needs.

Lauren Ramirez

A school board member interested in discussing the possibility of the district building its own pool.

LaShakia Moore

The Flagler County School District superintendent, who outlined the details of the proposed memorandum of understanding with Palm Coast for the YMCA pool partnership.

Ryan Companies

A Minneapolis-based real estate firm that has proposed purchasing 4 acres of the district-owned property on Palm Coast Parkway for $1.9 million.

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What they’re saying

“The building of the pool is one thing, but then is the management. We don't want to get into a similar thing where we had with the pool we have now.”

— Will Furry, School Board Member

“I would like to see what items on our five year plan we would escalate if we receive these funds.”

— Janie Ruddy, School Board Member

“This is not talking about two separate pools. This is one pool that would be for the community that the city of Palm Coast would work with Flagler schools to build, because we currently partner on two pools right now.”

— LaShakia Moore, Superintendent

What’s next

The school board will vote on whether to accept or decline the offer from Ryan Companies to purchase the 4-acre property on Palm Coast Parkway at its April 28, 2026 evening meeting. The memorandum of understanding for the YMCA pool partnership with Palm Coast will also be presented to the board at its April 28 workshop.

The takeaway

The Flagler County School Board's hesitation to collaborate with Palm Coast on the YMCA pool project highlights the district's past challenges in managing pool facilities and its desire to prioritize other capital needs. The board's consideration of building its own Olympic-size pool raises questions about the district's ability to effectively operate such an asset long-term.