Howard Hepburn, formerly the deputy superintendent of teaching and learning at Broward County Public Schools, has stepped into the role of superintendent for the district.
Having assumed his previous position in August 2023, the 45-year-old Hepburn will now earn an annual salary of $340,000 as he guides the nation’s sixth-largest School District.
He takes over from Peter B. Licata, who was appointed in June of the preceding year. Licata recently announced his retirement during a school board meeting on April 16, attributing it to health concerns. Licata’s departure marks the second time a Broward County Superintendent has resigned from the permanent role in under a year.
“We need to have that stability of leadership at the helm and to make sure he is leading us in the direction we need to go,” said Broward County School Board Chairwoman Lori Alhadeff, when Hepburn’s appointment was announced on the same day that Licata announced his retirement.
A 20-year career in education
Before being appointed as Superintendent, Dr. Hepburn served BCPS as the Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning.
He also served as a middle and high school principal in Orange County Public Schools from 2011 to 2016, according to his LinkedIn page. He then moved to the Palm Beach County school district as an instructional superintendent from 2016 to 2023. He joined Broward County Public Schools as the deputy superintendent for teaching and learning on Aug. 1, roughly a month after Licata started his superintendency.
Dr. Hepburn holds a Bachelor of Science in Science Education and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Florida Southern College.
“I thank the School Board for their trust and support as I proudly serve the District in this new capacity,” said Superintendent Hepburn, speaking on his appointment.
“As Superintendent, my focus remains on moving our District to an ‘A’ grade and ensuring all students receive a world-class education. We will continue to prioritize closing achievement gaps, increasing student access to accelerated courses, and implementing strategies to support continuous student achievement,” he said.
Read more: Broward Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata announces retirement
