STUFF Bus-JDC Writing Project-Classroom 2 Careers-Teacher Grants-Chiumento Cares-Academic Support-Senior Scholaships-Carver Community 🎓 The Flagler County Education Foundation (FCEF) plays an integral role in lives of the 108,310 residents living in Flagler County. This is in part due to the fact that Flagler County Public Schools (FCPS) is the largest employer in the county, with 1,674 employees, and 12,930 students enrolled as of 2016. The FCEF is a direct support of FCPS, and directly engage thousands of people annually. For several years prior to the recession in 2006, Flagler was one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. The large influx of residents was largely driven by the housing construction industry. Over the last decade, the large population growth was not accompanied by an expansion of employment opportunities, and now nearly 12% of all residents are now living in poverty. Flagler Schools has a district-wide 55% free and reduced lunch rate and out of this percentage a staggering 6,247 of the 7,043 students receive their meals completely free due to living well below the poverty level. Eight of the district’s 13 schools have more that 50% of students participating in the free and reduced lunch program this year, and four of these schools have rates exceeding 70%, or roughly two-thirds of total enrollment. Five schools are currently receiving Title 1 funds. The student homeless population across the state is alarming at over 70,000. In Flagler County according the Department of Education there are currently 616 students deemed homeless (Department of Education), with another 14,000 students and their families living below the poverty level and close to becoming homeless. The Flagler County Education Foundation offers solutions to students and teachers through its core program initiatives: Take Stock in Children, Innovative Teacher Grants, STUFF Bus, Connect Bus, and the Josh Crew Writing Club. Now, more than ever we need support from the community to ensure children receive a high quality education and the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education at a college or university.
