The Broward County School Board on Wednesday decided the fate of seven public schools amid declining enrollment in the district.
Superintendent Howard Hepburn said the closures are necessary to save money in a district that currently has more than 50,000 open seats.
The board decided on Wednesday to close the following schools:
- Sunshine Elementary
- Palm Cove Elementary
- Panther Run Elementary
- North Fork Elementary
- Seagull Alternative High School
Bair Middle School was also up for closure, but after an eleventh-hour effort by students and supporters to sway the vote, board members ultimately decided to keep its doors open.
“We must show up and speak out and protect the schools that shape our children’s futures, including mine,” said student advocate Mikyle Sukoo. “Bair shaped mines.”
The board also voted unanimously to consolidate Plantation Middle School into Plantation High and reconfigure the high school as a 6-12th grade school.
“We continue to have decline in enrollment, even in this school year, and we are expecting that in future school years also,” Hepburn said. “It’s a tough decision, but it’s the decision we have to make to really ensure the quality of learning opportunities our students receive day in and day out does not change.”
District staff said they will be meeting with principals Thursday at the schools the board voted to close at the end of the year to help lay the timeline for the transition.
“We will definitely make sure schools have told kids to help with that conversation and messaging. And work to make sure we can make things as transparent for families so there isn’t confusion when it comes to what school they’re selecting,” Dr. Valerie Wanza said.
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