Broward School Board divided on school closures; plan could come next month
A plan to close or overhaul schools is creating division on the Broward School Board, even before any specific school names are released.
Some board members said at a Wednesday workshop they’d prefer to only close no more than a tiny number of schools, while others proposed closing dozens. Some also questioned where the closures will come from and wanted to ensure they didn’t disproportionately impact schools in certain regions or with mostly minority students.
Superintendent Peter Licata said Wednesday he plans to bring forward ideas at an April 16 workshop proposals that could include specific schools that could be combined, merged or dramatically changed. Some could become charter schools, he said.
“It will be a list of proposals, including academic changes, mergers and potentially closures,” he said. “It will include partnerships with some cities that have charter schools. We’re also working with cities that want to create charter schools.”
The School Board is expected to make any final decisions by June and any changes would take effect for the 2024-25 school year.
The district has published a list of 77 underenrolled schools. Some board members wanted to consider some action if a school was below 60%, others below 50%. Some didn’t say enrollment should be the primary consideration.
“I don’t think a school should be doomed just because it’s underenrolled,” Board member Brenda Fam said.
Fam said some underenrolled schools could becoming technical schools, noting the district’s existing technical schools perform well academically and attract students.
Board member Sarah Leonardi said she’s heard district officials say in past years they can’t invest in underenrolled schools because they’re underenrolled. Many were underenrolled because the district didn’t invest in them, she said.
“I do accept the idea that we may have to close some facilities,” she said.
Board members Debra Hixon, Jeff Holness and Nora Rupert voiced skepticism of closing many schools.
“Closing schools should be a last resort,” Holness said.
Allen Zeman and Daniel Foganholi voiced support for a more aggressive plan. Zeman said the district needs 180 campuses, not 239.
“We have to be grounded in reality. Our resource allocations are limited,” Zeman said.