Introduction to Broward’s School Closure Plans
Broward’s ‘A’ rating won’t stop school closures, superintendent says. Two years as an A-rated district isn’t enough to protect some Broward schools from facing closure, Superintendent Howard Hepburn said.
The School Board plans to hold a workshop, tentatively scheduled for 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, to begin discussing Phase 2 of its “Redefining Broward County Public Schools” initiative, which is designed to address severe underenrollment in the district.
Background on the Issue
Superintendent Howard Hepburn provided a glimpse of what’s planned for the coming months during a back-to-school interview with the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Thursday at Blanche Ely High in Pompano Beach. The new school year starts Aug. 11 for students, with teachers returning a week earlier. District officials had hoped improved student achievement, new programs and improved marketing would help lure back families who have chosen charter, private and home school options over traditional public schools.
The Decline in Enrollment
Broward’s student enrollment declines — about 30,000 over the past decade — have been more dramatic than those in neighboring Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. For years, many School Board members worried that the district’s perennial B rating contributed to the declines. Palm Beach and Miami-Dade have been mostly A-rated in recent years. But last year, Broward got its first A rating since 2011, and this month, the district celebrated its second A grade in a row, with no schools receiving D or F.
The Impact of Charter Schools and Vouchers
However, enrollment continues to decline, and the most recent projections from the state predict another 8,800-student decline this fall. About 58 schools are below 70% of capacity, the district’s benchmark for being underenrolled, a district document states. For years, charter schools siphoned off most of those students. But in recent years, the state also has greatly expanded private school vouchers, making them available to all families regardless of income. “Some parents are taking advantage of the vouchers and utilizing them to go to private school or even home school,” Hepburn said. “But we also have quite a few parents that are saying, ‘Hey, I can’t afford to live in South Florida. I want to make sure my paycheck goes a long way. I want to be able to afford the house.’ And they’re picking up and moving to other areas.”
Plans for School Closures
Hepburn said he will recommend some school closures in the coming months as one way to deal with declining enrollment. The exact number is unclear. “We have to right-size our footprint. We have too many underenrolled schools. That’s a reality that we’ve been speaking about for the past couple of years,” he said. “The operational cost to run a lower-enrolled school is significantly higher than running a school that’s at capacity,” Hepburn said. “That diminishes certain instructional, academic or supplemental opportunities at a lower-enrolled school because you’re spending more money for operational costs. So there are some tough decisions we have to make.”
Community Engagement and Repurposing Schools
He said district staff will meet with parents, community members, nonprofit groups and businesses to discuss opportunities for low-enrolled schools. He said he plans to bring back recommendations to the School Board by late 2025 or early 2026. Any changes would likely take effect during the 2026-27 school year. The district also is considering repurposing the site of the old Dave Thomas East Education Center in Pompano Beach, which closed in 2021 due to structural damage, into workforce housing for teachers. The district has suggested other uses for schools that could potentially close, including leasing them out to cities and community organizations, using them as district office space and converting them into early learning centers or vocational centers.
Partnerships for New Programs
The district also is partnering with cities and organizations to find ways to bring new programs to schools that stay open, according to a district presentation prepared for Tuesday’s meeting. These include partnerships with the city of Fort Lauderdale for a K-12 sports academy at Bennett Elementary, Sunrise Middle and Fort Lauderdale High, as well as a partnership with Miramar for early learning opportunities. The district also may join forces with Junior Achievement of South Florida for a second location of Junior Achievement World, a mock mini-city that teaches students entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. Junior Achievement already has one location at Broward College’s north campus in Coconut Creek.
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite achieving an ‘A’ rating, Broward County Public Schools face significant challenges due to declining enrollment. The district’s plans for school closures and repurposing underenrolled schools aim to address these challenges. By engaging with the community and exploring new partnerships, the district hopes to find solutions that benefit both the schools and the community.
FAQs
Q: Why is Broward County Public Schools considering school closures?
A: The district is considering school closures due to severe underenrollment, with about 58 schools below 70% of capacity.
Q: What factors have contributed to the decline in enrollment?
A: The decline in enrollment can be attributed to various factors, including the expansion of charter schools and private school vouchers, as well as families moving out of the area due to affordability concerns.
Q: What alternatives is the district exploring for underenrolled schools?
A: The district is considering repurposing underenrolled schools into early learning centers, vocational centers, or leasing them out to cities and community organizations.
Q: How will the district engage with the community on this issue?
A: The district plans to meet with parents, community members, nonprofit groups, and businesses to discuss opportunities for low-enrolled schools and bring back recommendations to the School Board.
Q: When can we expect changes to take effect?
A: Any changes would likely take effect during the 2026-27 school year.
Originally Published: July 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM EDT
