Broward Schools Reverse Course on Controversial Schedule Change

Introduction to the Controversy

A controversial plan to make major changes to Broward middle and high school student schedules was quashed by the School Board on Tuesday. The proposed $35 million cost-cutting measure ended the same way it began a few weeks ago — behind closed doors. The proposal would have ended traditional block scheduling as well as personalization periods, or study halls, in secondary schools. It also would have limited the ability of teachers to make extra money by teaching classes beyond their normal load.

Background of the Proposal

The idea was rolled out a few weeks ago during a closed session and first shared with union stewards in early November. It prompted fierce opposition from teachers, students, and parents. School Board members were flooded with emails, and thousands signed petitions opposing the changes. The proposal was met with significant resistance from the community, leading to a reevaluation of the plan.

Decision to Reverse Course

“After careful consideration, the School Board and I have decided to maintain the current high school … block schedule with personalization/study hall period, and with middle schools maintaining their current schedules,” Superintendent Howard Hepburn announced at the end of a nearly three-hour closed-door session Tuesday. This decision came after hearing from parents, students, and teachers about the potential negative impacts of the proposed changes.

Reaction from School Board Members

Sarah Leonardi, a former teacher who was elected Tuesday as the new School Board chairwoman, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel she personally had never been comfortable with the proposal, since it resulted in teachers making less money. “I believe the board reversed course after hearing overwhelmingly from parents, students and teachers that the negative impacts of this outweighed the cost savings,” Leonardi said. “We’re going to have to find cost savings elsewhere. This was just not the place to do it.”

Impact on Teachers and Students

The proposed changes would have had a significant impact on some teachers’ pay. The changes would have meant less planning time for secondary teachers or a sizeable pay cut. Teachers now get two class periods for planning. If they teach during one of their planning periods, they can earn $6,000, or $12,000 if they teach during two. Under the proposed change, teachers would have been required to teach six out of seven classes per day and would only be eligible for one $6,000 stipend if they taught all seven classes with no planning period.

Community Involvement

Several students who are members of a leadership club called DECA at South Plantation High attended Tuesday’s meeting earlier in the day and asked board members to reconsider dropping study hall. “Study hall isn’t a break for us,” Rebeca Esquenazi, a junior who is president of South Plantation’s DECA club, said Tuesday. “It’s where we finish assignments, study for tests, continue working on DECA projects and manage the heavy workload that comes with being high-achieving students. Without study hall, many of us would struggle to balance our commitments.”

Criticism of Closed-Door Meetings

Anna Fusco, president of Broward Teachers Union, also attended Tuesday’s meeting and criticized not only the proposed changes but the School Board’s decision to discuss the matter behind closed doors. “You should really consider exactly what goes in closed-door meetings and what really should be out in the public, considering your hostile takeover of our high school and middle school block scheduling and personalization courses,” she said.

Conclusion

The reversal of the proposed schedule change is a significant victory for teachers, students, and parents who opposed the plan. The decision to maintain the current schedule ensures that students will continue to have access to study halls and that teachers will not face significant pay cuts. The School Board’s decision to reverse course demonstrates the importance of community involvement and the need for transparency in decision-making processes.

FAQs

• Q: What was the proposed schedule change?
  A: The proposed change would have ended traditional block scheduling and personalization periods, or study halls, in secondary schools.
• Q: Why was the proposal met with opposition?
  A: The proposal was met with opposition because it would have resulted in teachers making less money and would have limited the ability of students to manage their workload.
• Q: What was the decision made by the School Board?
  A: The School Board decided to maintain the current high school block schedule with personalization/study hall period, and with middle schools maintaining their current schedules.
• Q: How did the community respond to the proposal?
  A: The community responded with significant opposition, with thousands signing petitions and attending meetings to express their concerns.
• Q: What is the next step for the School Board?
  A: The School Board will need to find alternative cost savings measures, as the proposed schedule change is no longer an option.