Introduction to the New School Year
Broward schools reported few issues on the first day of school Monday, a stark contrast from a year ago when new metal detectors left thousands of high school students waiting in long lines and missing class.
The devices are now back for a second school year, but the district officials have long resolved the issues, and high school students were able to quickly enter their campuses, Superintendent Howard Hepburn told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Monday. The metal detectors aren’t used for middle or elementary schools.
Improvements from Last Year
During the first day last year, the metal detectors were constantly going off due to water bottles, binder notebooks and tablets and other devices. To resolve the problem, district officials adjusted the calibration of the machines and increased the training of security staff to remind students to take out metal objects from their bookbags.
Last year, a photo shared on social media showed a gigantic crowd of students at Cypress Bay High in Weston, the largest school in the county, waiting to get into the school., The image resembled a packed outdoor stadium venue.
The metal detector deployment started out so poorly last year that Hepburn forced out the chief of safety and security at the time, just days after the start of school.
First Day of School Experiences
Broward School District Superintendent Howard Hepburn greets students at Coconut Creek High School as he serves breakfast on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Broward School Board members Debra Hixon, left, and Sarah Leonardi, right, and District Superintendent Howard Hepburn serve breakfast on the first day of school at Coconut Creek High School on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Students greet each other as they meet to walk into New River Middle School together for the first day of school in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Students and parents wait for the gates to open for the first day of school at New River Middle School in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Broward School District Superintendent Howard Hepburn shows the new crisis alert badges at Coconut Creek High School on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Broward County Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn speaks in front of an E-Sports & Robotics class on the first day of school at New River Middle School in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Broward School District Superintendent Howard Hepburn shows the new crisis alert badges as board chair Debra Hixon looks on at Coconut Creek High School on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Seventh grader Elle Hollar is shown in her culinary class on the first day of school at New River Middle School in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. Broward County School Board Chair Debra Hixon stands at left. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Eighth grader Sophie Rodriguez interviews Broward County Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn in the New River Middle School broadcasting lab on the first day of school in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Broward School District Board Chair Debra Hixon is fitted for a hairnet by Elizabeth Seeley, food services nutritionist, before she serves breakfast at Coconut Creek High School on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Broward School District Superintendent Howard Hepburn speaks to the media at Coconut Creek High School on the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Students and parents wait for the gates to open for the first day of school at New River Middle School in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Broward County Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn speaks to a culinary class on the first day of school at New River Middle School in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Students in a marine biology class work together to put together a circuit during a media tour on the first day of school at New River Middle School in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Assessment of the First Day
Broward School Board member Adam Cervera said he visited the school Monday morning and saw no issues.
“The metal detectors were good. I went through it twice. No problem,” Cervera said.
Hepburn toured schools throughout the district Monday and told the Sun Sentinel for the most part everything was going well.
“It’s been an awesome start to the school year,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of smiling faces with the newness of the start of the year. Our kids are excited. Our teachers are excited. Everyone is happy to show us around and see how they’ve decorated their classrooms.”
Conclusion
The first day of school in Broward County has been successful, with few issues reported. The district has made significant improvements to the metal detector system, and students were able to quickly enter their campuses. The superintendent and school board members have expressed their satisfaction with the start of the school year, and the students and teachers are excited to begin the new academic year.
FAQs
Q: What were the issues with the metal detectors last year?
A: The metal detectors were constantly going off due to water bottles, binder notebooks, and tablets, causing long lines and delays for students.
Q: What changes were made to the metal detector system?
A: The district officials adjusted the calibration of the machines and increased the training of security staff to remind students to take out metal objects from their bookbags.
Q: How did the first day of school go this year?
A: The first day of school was successful, with few issues reported. Students were able to quickly enter their campuses, and the superintendent and school board members expressed their satisfaction with the start of the school year.
Q: What is the mood like among students and teachers?
A: The students and teachers are excited to begin the new academic year, and everyone is happy to show off their decorated classrooms.
