Broward schools official steps down after board criticism. Here’s what to know
The fallout from two major Broward County Public Schools operational failures has led Chief Operations Officer Wanda Paul to submit her resignation following a public call for her removal by another school board member.
Paul sent her resignation letter, which was obtained by the Sun Suntinel, to Superintendent Howard Hepburn on Dec. 28, saying she would step down as chief operations officer in 2026.
Though school board member Adam Cervera called for her immediate resignation following a failed office lease and procurement errors tied to the district’s $1 billion construction program, Paul still has a few months on the job.
Her last working day is scheduled to be April 3, 2026, with her resignation officially taking effect June 5, 2026. Paul started her position on May 20, 2024, and has a salary of $221,450.
Cervera, who was appointed in May, told the Pembroke Pines News on Dec. 30 that the delayed timeline outlined in Paul’s resignation letter is “unacceptable.”
“Her resignation needs to be forthwith, not six months from now,” Cervera said. “There’s too much that could potentially happen down the line, between now and June.”
The controversies have sparked division on the board and renewed concerns about accountability in a district long plagued by construction-related mismanagement.
The first controversy involves the failed office lease deal with Handy, a nonprofit formally known as Helping Advance and Nurture the Development of Youth. The district agreed to a $2.6 million, five-year lease for office space at the nonprofit’s headquarters. Paul’s office told the board it was cheaper than staying put at the district’s existing facilities, according to the Sun Sentinel.
However, the analysis provided to the board in June omitted key costs, including an $85,000 security deposit, $88,000 in wiring expenses and potential alternatives such as relocating employees to vacant spaces on school campuses.
The lease summary also incorrectly stated that the district could terminate the agreement “for convenience.” After the board voted to cancel the lease, Handy sued the district. The lawsuit remains active.
The second controversy involves a botched construction procurement process as the district failed to properly hire a firm to oversee more than $1 billion in construction projects.
An audit found district staff changed the procurement process without board approval, altered selection criteria after bids were submitted and failed to ensure firms met required qualifications, according to Florida Politics.
As a result, the school board rejected all bids in December. With the district’s existing construction management contract set to expire, Superintendent Hepburn declared an emergency to temporarily continue using the current contractor.
In Paul’s resignation letter, she writes, “It has been an honor to serve Broward County Public Schools and, most importantly, the students and families of our District. Over the past 18 months, I am proud of the progress our team has made across Operations. Together, we have closed out 119 projects ... strengthened processes, and advanced key initiatives that support safe, efficient, and high-quality learning environments.”
Cervera warned that without swift corrective action, the district risks further state intervention and continued erosion of public trust. He said he believes public pressure is sometimes necessary to force accountability when internal processes fall short.
“In a district like Broward County, where we have substantial problems with transparency, accountability, and quite frankly, the trust factor with the public is unfortunately not there anymore, I think it would benefit all parties involved if we hired externally,” Cervera said.
This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM.
