Broward schools facing possible closure, repurposing as district begins community meetings

Broward County Public Schools is inviting residents to weigh in on the future of several schools facing possible closure or repurposing as the district grapples with declining enrollment and the resulting loss of millions of dollars in funding.

The district will hold seven community meetings throughout September as part of the third phase of its Redefining Our Schools initiative, which examines enrollment trends, academic programs and available resources to determine the future use of school campuses.

Ten schools are currently under consideration for closure or restructuring: Banyan, Coral Springs, Dolphin Bay, Hollywood Park, Lloyd Estates, Oakridge, Silver Lakes, Sunset Lakes elementary schools, along with Glades Middle School and McArthur High School.

Additional schools, including Forest Glen, Walter C. Young and William E. Dandy middle schools, are also scheduled to be discussed during the community meetings.

The latest review comes as BCPS continues to contend with significant enrollment declines.

Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn has said the district experienced consistent enrollment declines during the school year over the past two years, losing approximately 2,500 to 3,000 students during each school year. The loss translates to roughly $30 million annually in reduced funding.

The decline has continued into the 2026-27 school year. Compared with 2025, the district began this school year with approximately 13,475 fewer students, including charter school enrollment, representing a 5.6% decrease, according to an Aug. 10 memo from the Office of the Superintendent.

The School Board previously voted to close and consolidate six schools as part of an earlier phase of the initiative. The district also eliminated approximately 1,000 positions last year in an effort to reduce costs.

During an Aug. 25 School Board workshop, district staff presented the latest group of schools identified for discussion under School Board Policy 8010, which addresses attendance zone boundaries and school usage. Officials also raised the possibility that another 10 schools could eventually be considered.

BCPS said the upcoming meetings will allow parents, students, employees and other community members to learn about potential options for the affected schools and provide feedback directly to School Board members, Hepburn and district staff.

The meetings are scheduled for:

• Sept. 9: Everglades High School, 17100 S.W. 48th Court, Miramar. Discussion will focus on Dolphin Bay, Silver Lakes and Sunset Lakes elementary schools and Glades Middle School.
• Sept. 10: McArthur High School, 6501 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Hollywood Park and Oakridge elementary schools will be discussed.
• Sept. 14: Coral Springs High School, 7201 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs. Coral Springs Elementary and Forest Glen Middle schools will be discussed.
• Sept. 16: Lloyd Estates Elementary School, 750 N.W. 41st St., Oakland Park. The discussion will focus on Lloyd Estates Elementary.
• Sept. 17: Banyan Elementary School, 8800 N.W. 50th St., Sunrise. The discussion will focus on Banyan Elementary.
• Sept. 23: Charles W. Flanagan High School, 12800 Taft St., Pembroke Pines. Walter C. Young Middle School will be discussed.
• Sept. 24: Dillard 6-12, 2501 N.W. 11th St., Fort Lauderdale. William E. Dandy Middle School will be discussed.

All meetings begin at 6 p.m. and will also be livestreamed online.

BCPS said feedback gathered during the meetings will help inform discussions about the future of the schools as the district seeks to better align its facilities and resources with its shrinking student population.