Local

Broward Schools approves plan to eliminate up to 3,000 jobs. Here’s what to know

By Reporting by Carla Mendez. Produced with AI assistance
Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn will be expected to cut up to 1,000 jobs not only this year, but also the following two years.
Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn will be expected to cut up to 1,000 jobs not only this year, but also the following two years. Joe Cavaretta South Florida Sun Sentinel

The Broward County School Board voted 6-3 on March 10 to direct Superintendent Howard Hepburn to develop a plan eliminating up to 3,000 positions over three years, a move that could save more than $250 million.

The cuts target non-instructional staff as the district grapples with a $90 million budget shortfall and a decade-long drop in student enrollment.

FULL STORY: Broward Schools to cut up to 3,000 jobs to save $250 million. What we know

Broward County Public Schools approved a proposal to reduce district staffing levels during the regular school board meeting on Tuesday, March 10.
Broward County Public Schools approved a proposal to reduce district staffing levels during the regular school board meeting on Tuesday, March 10. Miami Herald file photo

Here are key takeaways:

  • The plan calls for 1,000 position cuts in the first year, followed by 500 to 1,000 cuts in each of the next two years. Board Vice Chair Jeff Holness said reductions should primarily affect non-instructional staff, not teachers.
  • The district has lost nearly 39,000 students over the past decade, but staffing dropped only from 21,835 to 20,847, according to data reported by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. About 4,400 positions are district-level, non-school-based employees paid through the general fund.
  • Board member Adam Cervera said the plan “can not, should not and must not include teachers, under any circumstance.” He and Holness both said the savings could fund better teacher pay.
  • Board members Lori Alhadeff, Nora Rupert and Chairwoman Sarah Leonardi voted against the measure. Alhadeff argued Hepburn needs flexibility and shouldn’t be locked into a plan “set today on March 10, 2026.”
  • Hepburn said the district is working with a third-party consultant, MGT, to develop the plan. He has until July 21 to present the full plan and is expected to share an initial staffing proposal at the board’s April 14 workshop.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.

Read Next
Read Next