Broward schools superintendent recommends closure of 7 schools in new memo amid budget constraints

The Broward schools superintendent has issued a new memo recommending the closure of seven schools starting next school year The memo highlights several changes amid a shrinking district budget and declining enrollment in the county Under BCPS Superintendent Dr Howard Hepburn s plan Sunshine Elementary in Miramar would close and those students would move to Fairway Elementary Students from Panther Run Elementary in Pembroke Pines would be moved to Chapel Trail Elementary students from Blair Middle in Sunrise would be sent to Westpine Middle and students from Seagull Alternative High School in Fort Lauderdale would be moved to Whiddon Rogers Development Center Palm Cove Elementary in Pembroke Pines would also close with students moving to Pine Lakes Elementary Additionally Plantation Middle School would close and students would be transferred to Plantation High School which would become a grade - school North Fork Elementary School would also be on the chopping block with those students sent to Walker Elementary or split among four schools It s the beginning of a process of right-sizing our facilities so that we can have the right amount of money being spent on painting carpentry and plumbing as we do on educating our students announced Broward School Board Member Dr Allen Zeman Zeman revealed the school district is also building new facilities in the new year and laid out other plans We ve got two more coming next year already We ve got a new K- opening in Pembroke Pines As a consequence of that there s two dramatically under enrolled elementary schools identified later this year that will close in a subsequent year not until - year but it s seven schools in the present day he explained This past Monday at a school district workshop Hepburn mentioned the district has lost students over the past year and has a nearly million budget shortfall We have to take drastic measures to make sure our fund balance remains in a good state and we can continue to provide the same level of amenity to our students and families explained Hepburn While change is coming school board authorities say it is for the better It may be a mile or two farther but it ll have better learning going on It ll have more programs going on It ll be operated in a way that allows their scholar to do more different things engagements and sports So at the end of the day even though it may be inconvenient to go to a different school and I recognize that fully your candidate is gonna be going to a better school if you re directly affected by these closures in current times stated Zeman The school board will convene in January to make a final decision on Hepburn s recommendations