The Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, Howard Hepburn, has put forth a proposal to close seven elementary and three middle schools by the 2027-28 academic year. This significant move impacts families in Miramar, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and other areas in South Florida, home to a large Cuban and Hispanic population.
It's important to note that this plan is not yet finalized. The decision rests in the hands of the nine-member School Board, which is set to vote on December 15.
The root of the crisis is an unprecedented drop in student enrollment. The district is facing over 61,000 empty seats, with nearly 80% of this decline occurring over the past ten years.
As of September, the official count tallied 177,575 students, marking a decrease of over 10,000 compared to the previous year. This decline translates to a loss of approximately $430 million from the district's $3.5 billion annual budget.
Proposed School Closures and Student Relocations
Here is the complete list of schools recommended for closure by Hepburn:
- Banyan Elementary (Sunrise) → Discovery and Village Elementary
- Coral Springs Elementary → Parkside Elementary
- Silver Lakes Elementary and Dolphin Bay Elementary (Miramar) → Glades Middle, reconfigured as a K-8 school
- Lloyd Estates Elementary (Oakland Park) → North Andrews Gardens and Oakland Park Elementary
- Oakridge Elementary (Hollywood) → Colbert Elementary
- Sheridan Park Elementary (Hollywood) → Boulevard Heights, Driftwood, and Hollywood Park Elementary
- Forest Glen Middle (Coral Springs) → Coral Springs Middle
- Walter C. Young Middle (Pembroke Pines) → Charles W. Flanagan High, reconfigured as a 6-12 school
- William Dandy Middle (Fort Lauderdale) → Parkway Middle School
Most of these buildings are planned to be repurposed for unspecified uses, except for William Dandy Middle, slated to become the new site for KIPP Miami, a charter school operator under the "Schools of Hope" initiative.
Board Debate and Union Opposition
Within the School Board, there are members who find the proposal insufficient. Board member Allen Zeman suggested closing 26 schools, arguing that the current pace of closures cannot keep up with the rapid decline in enrollment.
"This list of 10 schools represents 2.5% of our student body. We're talking about 4,500 individuals in a district of 177,000 students," Zeman stated during a workshop on Wednesday. "If we continue at a 2.5% annual change while enrollment falls by 5.5%, we'll never catch up."
The teachers' union stands in opposition. Lialiana Ruedo, Secretary of the Broward Teachers Union, criticized the mass closures: "Every school that closes sends a message to the community that public education is not valued."
If the 10 closures are approved in December, the district will have shut down 17 schools in three years as part of its "Redefining Our Schools" initiative. The six closures from the previous year resulted in a collective savings of about $10 million annually, or roughly $1.2 million per school.
A Similar Situation in Miami-Dade
Broward is not alone in this predicament. Miami-Dade has identified five schools that might close, including Golden Glades Elementary, Carol City Middle, and Hammocks Middle, although their School Board has postponed voting until March 2027.
Simultaneously, charter schools are looking to co-locate within five public schools in Miami-Dade, sparking a similar debate over the use of public facilities by private operators.
Broward families wishing to voice their opinions have until December 15 to participate in the process before the School Board makes its final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About School Closures in Broward
Why is Broward County proposing to close these schools?
The primary reason for the proposed closures is a significant drop in student enrollment, resulting in over 61,000 empty seats across the district.
When will the final decision on school closures be made?
The final decision will be made by the Broward School Board on December 15.
What will happen to the buildings of the closed schools?
Most buildings are planned to be repurposed for unspecified uses, except for William Dandy Middle, which is set to become the new site for KIPP Miami.