42 Broward schools face the possibility of closure due to under-enrollment
Key Points(5)
- The Broward County Public Schools Board has shared specific plans on how the district plans to address the severe decline in student enrollment.
- At a recent town hall gathering hosted at Hollywood Hills High School, newly appointed Superintendent Howard Hepburn outlined two distinct proposals: one involving the closure of three schools, and the other, a more extensive plan that would close 42 schools.
- Under the first proposal, 30 schools would undergo changes, with three slated for closure: Oakridge Elementary in Hollywood, Broward Estates Elementary in Lauderhill, and Olsen Middle School in Dania Beach.
- While Broward Estates and Olsen are both identified as severely under-enrolled, Oakridge Elementary operates at 76% capacity and hasn't previously been flagged for enrollment issues.
- But its outdated facilities and D-grade status prompted consideration for closure, according to Alan Strauss, a district official addressing attendees at the town hall.
The Broward County Public Schools Board has shared specific plans on how the district plans to address the severe decline in student enrollment.
At a recent town hall gathering hosted at Hollywood Hills High School, newly appointed Superintendent Howard Hepburn outlined two distinct proposals: one involving the closure of three schools, and the other, a more extensive plan that would close 42 schools.
Under the first proposal, 30 schools would undergo changes, with three slated for closure: Oakridge Elementary in Hollywood, Broward Estates Elementary in Lauderhill, and Olsen Middle School in Dania Beach.
While Broward Estates and Olsen are both identified as severely under-enrolled, Oakridge Elementary operates at 76% capacity and hasn't previously been flagged for enrollment issues. But its outdated facilities and D-grade status prompted consideration for closure, according to Alan Strauss, a district official addressing attendees at the town hall.
Broward Estates could become an early learning center, Olsen may be converted into district administrative space, while Oakridge could be sold and possibly used for workforce housing, Strauss said.
Plans for repurposing include converting Broward Estates into an early learning center, transforming Olsen into administrative offices, and potentially selling Oakridge for workforce housing.
The remaining 27 schools affected by Hepburn's proposal would see alterations such as boundary adjustments, partnerships with private entities, repurposing of facilities, and changes to programs and grade configurations.
For instance, Pines Middle in Pembroke Pines is slated to become a 6-12 "college academy," modeled after Millennium 6-12 in Tamarac, recently lauded as the district's top-performing high school by U.S. News & World Report.
Other transformations include Hollywood Central Elementary transitioning into a K-8 institution and Sunland Academy in Fort Lauderdale shifting from a K-3 setup to a traditional K-5 format.
Second plan to close 42 schools
The alternative approach to address the county's under-enrollment predicament, a notably more assertive strategy, entails downsizing the district to accommodate only currently enrolled students, described by Strauss as a "mathematical exercise."
This second plan proposes the closure of 42 schools and a complete redraw of school boundaries, comprising 32 elementary, eight middle, and two high schools. However, specific school names were not disclosed by district staff.
While this plan aims to rectify the nearly 54,000 vacant seats in the district, it would likely necessitate the elimination of magnet programs, school choice options, and student reassignments, as every school would operate at full capacity. It could also lead to more students leaving the school district, Strauss said.
Enrollment is already expected to decline by another 4,300 students this fall, largely due to a spike in vouchers for private schools, officials said. Enrollment in the Hollywood and Pembroke Pines area has plummeted over the past 25 years due to the explosion of charter schools in those areas.
In February, the district identified 67 schools as under-enrolled, with student populations below 70% of their capacity, serving as the initial focus of discussion.
More town halls planned
Further engagement with the community is planned through additional town hall meetings over the next two weeks. The next is at J.P. Taravella High School on Tuesday followed by Dillard High on Wednesday.
After they wrap up the presentation at each town hall, attendees can comment on the ideas in person or by filling out an online survey answering questions like, “Do you prefer the superintendent’s considerations or total district realignment?”
Addressing community members on Monday, Superintendent Hepburn emphasized the importance of feedback in navigating complex challenges, stating, "Feedback is truly a gift when addressing complex challenges."
Hepburn will present a final recommended plan to the Broward School Board during a workshop on May 14. The board will vote on a final plan on June 18.
The district would implement the changes in the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. For more information go to browardschools.com/redefining.
