Broward School Board reverses course, says it won’t close schools
Key Points(5)
- In a significant policy shift, the Broward School Board has decided not to close schools but to reconfigure campuses, including altering grade structures and merging schools.
- The final vote on the changes is set for January.
- The decision marks a major reversal from earlier in the year, when the district identified five schools as potential closure candidates, sparking outrage among parents and community activists.
- “We so much appreciate having the community meetings in the community and in the schools,” said Coconut Creek Mayor Sandra Welch, acknowledging the importance of public engagement in the process.
- The district faces a shrinking student population, having lost approximately 50,000 students over the years.
In a significant policy shift, the Broward School Board has decided not to close schools but to reconfigure campuses, including altering grade structures and merging schools. The final vote on the changes is set for January.
The decision marks a major reversal from earlier in the year, when the district identified five schools as potential closure candidates, sparking outrage among parents and community activists. “We so much appreciate having the community meetings in the community and in the schools,” said Coconut Creek Mayor Sandra Welch, acknowledging the importance of public engagement in the process.
The district faces a shrinking student population, having lost approximately 50,000 students over the years. This enrollment decline has left Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) with 50,000 vacant seats and reduced funding, forcing tough decisions about how to optimize resources.
New proposals for school configurations
The revised plan includes significant changes:
- Pines Middle School will transform into a 6th–12th grade collegiate academy.
- Silver Lakes Elementary and Silver Shores Elementary in Miramar will merge, with Silver Shores becoming a full-choice school.
- Hollywood Central Academy, Coral Cove Elementary in Miramar, and Coconut Creek Elementary will all become K–8 schools.
- Broward Estates Elementary in Lauderhill will be repurposed as an early learning center, with its current students transferring to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Montessori.
“The challenge we have as a school board is how do we stitch together 239 campuses and 206 schools to serve 197,000 students when we used to have 250,000 students,” said board member Dr. Allan Zeman.
Long-term changes still possible
While the board has moved away from immediate closures, the issue of under-enrolled schools remains unresolved. Superintendent Howard Hepburn highlighted the district’s plans for ongoing evaluation. “The possibility of closing schools, the possibility of enhancing more programs to attract more students to certain areas within our district is what we’re gonna start evaluating immediately after the board takes a vote on January 22,” Hepburn explained.
Dr. Zeman has consistently argued that closing schools is essential for reallocating resources effectively. “If you want us to offer great education to your children and create the Broward County of tomorrow, you want us to close campuses,” Zeman asserted earlier this year.
The debate over school closures has been ongoing since last year, when former Superintendent Peter Licata emphasized the financial strain caused by under-enrolled schools. Licata estimated that maintaining low-enrollment schools costs the district approximately $2 million annually.
A key factor in the enrollment decline is Broward County’s high property values, which have driven many families out of the area. The district has been grappling with the financial impact of this demographic shift, prompting discussions about closing or repurposing schools to address the issue.
The upcoming January vote will mark a critical turning point as the district seeks to balance resource allocation with community needs.
