The Broward County Public Schools Board has approved a sweeping reorganization plan that will eliminate 1,000 job positions in an effort to save approximately $54 million, as the district continues grappling with declining enrollment and financial strain.
The decision, passed 7–2 on Monday after more than eight hours of debate, affects both vacant and filled roles. According to district officials, about 700 of the eliminated positions are currently vacant, while roughly 300 are held by employees.
The cuts are part of a broader restructuring effort following a directive from the board in March to eliminate 3,000 positions over three years, targeting about $250 million in savings. Officials say the district has lost between 30,000 and 40,000 students over the past four to five years, significantly reducing funding.
Superintendent Howard Hepburn said the restructuring is intended to stabilize the system and prepare it for long-term sustainability.
“Today’s action is more than just about the organizational chart. It’s about ensuring Broward County Public Schools is structured to meet today’s challenges while we remain strong and work toward a sustainable future,” Hepburn said at a press conference following the vote.
He added that many affected employees may be reassigned to vacant roles elsewhere in the district.
“A good chunk of employees who were cut will work with human resources on replacement and certified employees will be placed in other roles,” district spokesperson Keyla Concepcion said.
The district also indicated that new positions could open through attrition at the end of the school year, and it is working with CareerSource Broward to assist employees who are not retained.
While district leaders emphasized that school-based jobs were largely protected, critics argued that the cuts still affect student-facing services. Positions eliminated include executive directors, transportation workers, suicide prevention coordinators, and teachers for deaf and hard of hearing students.
Significant reductions were also made in student support services. Out of 40 positions in the Student Support Instructional Specialists division, which is part of the district’s mental health department, 38 were cut.
The meeting saw sharp disagreement among board members. During deliberations, board member Adam Cervera displayed a sign reading: “SAVE BROWARD SCHOOLS! VOTE DOWN THE ORG CHART.” He later attempted to save more than 100 positions through a motion, which did not pass.
Board member Debra Hixon successfully introduced a motion requiring the district to develop individualized transition plans for employees within five years of retirement to help them complete their careers within the system.
“Everyone who’s on that list has a personal story. It is their livelihood. This is not easy for anyone, but unfortunately, we find ourselves in this place, as many businesses do,” Hixon said. “You all saw what happened with Spirit Airlines. Poof. One day, all those people just lost their jobs. We don’t want to do that.”
Some members supported moving quickly to avoid further financial deterioration, including board member Lori Alhadeff, who warned that delays could increase the risk of state intervention.
“We can make this decision now, acting with care for the people affected,” Alhadeff said. “Or we can delay and make a worse version of this decision later under more pressure. I choose now, and I support this plan, not because it is easy, but because our students deserve a district structure to serve them for the long term.”
The approved restructuring plan is expected to roll out over the coming months as the district begins placing eligible employees into other roles and finalizing reassignments.
