The Broward County School Board convenes today to deliberate on the potential closure and repurposing of up to five schools due to dwindling enrollment numbers. As reported by CBS Miami, Superintendent Howard Hepburn’s proposal would see the low-performing Broward Estates Elementary in Lauderhill closed, and transformed into an early learning center. Hepburn also suggests converting three elementary schools into K-8 schools and making a middle school a 6-12 collegiate academy, alongside turning Silver Shores Elementary into a choice school.
According to WSVN, School Board Member Lori Alhadeff endorsed the superintendent’s plan as a “good start,” highlighting the initiative’s potential to save millions and reinvest in student education. The district’s predicament is partly due to the presence of 45,000 empty seats, equating to about 50 schools’ worth of excess capacity, necessitating financial reallocation to address the over-resourcing.
Community members have expressed concern over the proposed closure of Broward Estates Elementary, indicating their intent to attend the meeting and contest the decision. Another proposition, albeit more extensive, comes from School Board member Allen Zeman who wants to close Broward Estates Elementary and four other unnamed schools, turning them into early learning centers…