In reversal, Broward public schools will not be closing to deal with declining enrollment

Superintendent Howard Hepburn plans to discuss the plan’s shift on This Week In South Florida on Sunday

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn has new recommendations to deal with the declining enrollment after protests over the initial plan to consider closing some schools.

Hepburn plans to discuss the new recommendations during This Week In South Florida on Sunday ahead of a public school board workshop on Tuesday.

The shift toward partnerships, conversions, and real estate transactions and away from closures followed a town hall meeting on Friday night to discuss the failed proposals released in April.

One proposal considered closing 42 schools and another considered closing three schools: Olsen Middle School in Dania Beach and two elementary schools — Broward Estates in Lauderhill and Oakridge in Hollywood.

To change his mind, Hepburn attended seven town hall assemblies after a reduction of about 50,000 students. The new plan includes the conversions of Pines Middle into a K-12 academy and Hollywood Central Elementary into a K-8 campus.

The final decision on how to face the challenge rests with the school board members, who are scheduled to vote on June 18. There won’t be changes for the 2024-25 academic year.

Watch Local 10 News TWISF Anchor Glenna Milberg’s interview with Hepburn at 11:30 a.m., on Sunday.


About the Authors
Saira Anwer headshot

Saira Anwer joined the Local 10 News team in July 2018. Saira is two-time Emmy-nominated reporter and comes to South Florida from Madison, Wisconsin, where she was working as a reporter and anchor.

Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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