District 4 board member Christy Chong is seeking re-election. She faces two challengers, Ron Long and Trevor Tucker. As this is a non-partisan race, it will appear on the August ballot and will be open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote in August, then the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November.
News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| NON-PARTISAN CANDIDATES |
Christy Chong
Occupation: Current School Board Chair and Family Nurse Practitioner at Advent Health.
Age: 43
Family: I am married to my husband Kirk and we have three boys enrolled in Flagler Schools.
Education: Master of Science in Nursing.
Political experience: Current Flagler School Board Member.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The top three issues in this race are managing our community’s growth, maintaining strong financial stewardship, and continuing the academic success that earned Flagler Schools an A district rating.
As our community grows, we must plan responsibly to ensure our schools have the capacity, staff, and resources to meet increasing enrollment without compromising the quality of education.
Second, we must be fiscally responsible. Rising costs and limited funding require careful budgeting, prioritizing classroom instruction, and finding efficiencies so every taxpayer dollar is used wisely.
Finally, we cannot become complacent. Earning an A district rating is a tremendous accomplishment, but keeping it will require a continued focus on academic excellence, supporting our teachers, ensuring safe learning environments, and making decisions that always put students first. As a current School Board member, I have the experience to help our district build on this success while preparing for the challenges ahead.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
As a current School Board member, I understand the challenges our district faces and the importance of balancing budgets while planning for the future. As a mother, I bring the perspective of a parent who wants every child to have a safe, supportive, and high-performing school. As a board-certified nurse practitioner, I have built a career on problem-solving, listening, and making informed decisions based on facts.
I believe my experience, proven leadership, and commitment to fiscal responsibility will help ensure Flagler Schools continue to grow while maintaining the academic excellence that earned our district an A rating.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I am very proud that Flagler Schools has achieved an “A” rating under our board’s current leadership. This A rating is a powerful boost for our entire county. It means stronger opportunities for our children, greater pride in our community, and a brighter future for Flagler.
Campaign website: Christyforflagler.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Ron Long
Occupation: Construction
Age: 55
Family: Married with three children ages 30, 28 and 26.
Education: High School, Some College
Political experience: I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Flagler County Planning and Development Advisory Board
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
I believe this election comes down to three priorities.
First, responsible budgeting. This ballot is about the budget. The district’s budget has grown dramatically over the past decade while enrollment has remained essentially flat. Every dollar should be examined to ensure it is reaching classrooms, supporting teachers, and improving student outcomes. I will bring the experience of managing large construction budgets to conduct a line-by-line review of spending and look for efficiencies before asking taxpayers for more.
Second, student achievement and accountability. While our district has earned an “”A"" rating, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Several of our individual schools are still struggling, and every child deserves an excellent education regardless of which school they attend. I will focus on data-driven decisions, strengthening career and technical education, supporting teachers with the resources they need, and making sure we measure success by the performance of every school, not just the district average.
Third, strong representation and local advocacy. A School Board member’s job doesn’t end at board meetings. We need leaders who show up in Tallahassee, engage with our legislators, listen to parents, teachers, and community members, and push back against unfunded mandates that don’t benefit Flagler County students. I’ll be a full-time advocate for our schools, ensuring Flagler’s voice is heard wherever important education decisions are being made.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
What sets me apart is the combination of time, experience, and perspective I can bring to the job.
After more than 30 years managing construction projects and working within tight budgets, I know how to identify waste, ask tough questions, and make the most of every dollar. That’s exactly the skill set our School Board needs as the district manages a budget of more than $350 million.
I also have the time to fully commit to this position. This isn’t a stepping stone or a part-time job for me. My children have graduated from the public schools system, my career is behind me after a workplace injury, and I can dedicate my full attention to serving the families of Flagler County. That means showing up; not just for School Board meetings, but in Tallahassee, in our schools, and throughout the community whenever decisions affecting our students are being made.
Most importantly, I’m not running with an agenda to protect the status quo. I’m running to ask the hard questions, insist on accountability, and make sure every decision starts with one question: ”How does this improve education for Flagler County students while making the best use of taxpayer dollars?“
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
If I’m fortunate enough to serve, I hope people can honestly say that I left the School District a little better than I found it.
I want to be remembered for asking the tough questions, protecting taxpayer dollars, and making sure more of our education funding reached the classroom. I hope teachers feel more supported, parents feel their voices were heard, and students have greater opportunities to succeed, whether that’s preparing for college, learning a skilled trade, or pursuing another path.
Success isn’t about having my name attached to a program or a building. It’s about leaving behind a stronger financial foundation, a culture of accountability, and a School Board that puts students first in every decision.
If, at the end of my service, Flagler County has stronger schools, better stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and greater public trust than when I took office, I’ll consider that a job well done.
Campaign website: www.voteronlong.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Trevor Tucker
Occupation: Business Owner
Age: 50
Family: Married 3 Children
Education: BS Accounting
Political experience: 12 Years Flagler School Board
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Retain Leadership by supporting the superintendent. Maintain high academic services through policy. Raise support staff and teacher pay by lobbying State Legislature for flexibility of capital dollars.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
From 12 years experience knowing when items are achievable vs impossible.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Calm determination
Campaign website: electtucker.com
Campaign social media: Facebook