Introduction to the Poll
Broward voters have mixed views about the performance of the Broward school district and its superintendent, and it’s largely divided by race, a new poll has concluded.
The poll of 1,039 registered voters also finds support for the district’s “Redefining Broward County Public Schools” effort to close or find new uses for low-enrolled schools, as a final decision on that is scheduled for Wednesday.
Overall, 45% of voters polled from Dec. 19 to Dec. 23 have a favorable view of the school district, with 24% disapproving, according to the survey, released Tuesday by MDW Communications, a national political strategy and public relations firm based in Plantation.
“There is a narrative that Broward voters are overwhelmingly upset with the direction of our schools,” Michael Worley, CEO and partner with MDW, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “That does not play out in the data.”
Racial Divide in Approval Ratings
But there are stark differences among racial groups.
About 61% of Black voters strongly or somewhat approve of the job the school district is doing, while 16% disapprove. But among white voters, that drops to 42% approve and 27% disapprove.
About 42% of voters who identified as Hispanic approved, while 26% disapproved.
“What the data tells us is that there are many voters who are upset about the direction of the School Board, but there’s a racial divide there,” Worley said. “It’s very clear in the data that white voters have more concerns with the direction of the School Board than Black and Hispanic voters.”
Approval of the Superintendent
Voters had an 11-point net positive rating of Superintendent Howard Hepburn, but this also differed by race. The net favorability rating among Black voters was 40 points, compared to one point for white voters and seven points for Hispanics.
“I think it speaks to some of the visibility and leadership of Dr. Hepburn and being seen as a prominent Black leader of the (school district) who is working hard to make changes,” Worley said. “I think that definitely resonates. But beyond that, I think that there is a certain level of pride that Black voters have in our public schools, especially among ones who have had or still have children in the school system. They want to see them get better and want to see them improve.”
Redefining Schools Effort
About 63% of voters agreed that state-level school choice policies, such as the easy availability of vouchers for private and home schools, “have created an environment where a redefining effort is necessary,” the survey found. An overwhelming number, 88%, support converting closed schools into vocational and technical schools, while 73% voiced support for converting them to K-8 centers.
“This is something the board has pushed for since the beginning of the redefining effort,” School Board Chairwoman Sarah Leonardi told the Sun Sentinel. “These options strengthen public education, improve safety and focus on student achievement.”
Conclusion
The poll results show that Broward voters have mixed views about the performance of the school district, with a significant racial divide in approval ratings. However, there is support for the district’s efforts to close or repurpose low-enrolled schools. The survey also found that voters understand the need for the redefining effort and are open to different options for closed schools.
FAQs
Q: What is the overall approval rating of the Broward school district?
A: 45% of voters have a favorable view of the school district, with 24% disapproving.
Q: Is there a racial divide in approval ratings?
A: Yes, there are significant differences in approval ratings among racial groups, with 61% of Black voters approving and 42% of white voters approving.
Q: What is the net favorability rating of Superintendent Howard Hepburn?
A: The net favorability rating is 11 points, with significant differences by race.
Q: Do voters support the redefining schools effort?
A: Yes, 63% of voters agree that state-level school choice policies have created an environment where a redefining effort is necessary.
Q: What options do voters support for closed schools?
A: 88% support converting closed schools into vocational and technical schools, and 73% support converting them to K-8 centers.
