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Broward could close 10 or more public schools for 2027-28. Here’s what to know

By Edited by Mike Garbett and produced with AI assistance
Broward County Public Schools could see over 10 schools shut down as part of the 2027-2028 Redefining Our Schools initiative, according to Superintendent Howard Hepburn.
Broward County Public Schools could see over 10 schools shut down as part of the 2027-2028 Redefining Our Schools initiative, according to Superintendent Howard Hepburn. Broward County Public Schools

Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn told school board members the district could close more than 10 schools for the 2027-2028 academic year.

The closures are part of an ongoing effort to address a sharp decline in student enrollment and state funding.

FULL STORY: ‘Don’t want to scare’: Superintendent predicts 10+ school closures for 2027-28

Broward County Public Schools could see over 10 schools shut down as part of the 2027-2028 Redefining Our Schools initiative, according to Superintendent Howard Hepburn.
Broward County Public Schools could see over 10 schools shut down as part of the 2027-2028 Redefining Our Schools initiative, according to Superintendent Howard Hepburn. Miami Herald file photo

Here are key takeaways:

  • Hepburn made the projection at a May 12 school board workshop. “I don’t want to scare the public, but I would say definitely above 10,” he said.
  • The estimate would exceed the past two academic years combined. One school closed in 2025, and six more are set to close in June — Plantation Middle School, Pembroke Pines’ Panther Run Elementary and Palm Cove Elementary, Miramar’s Sunshine Elementary, and Fort Lauderdale’s North Fork Elementary and Seagull Alternative High School.
  • BCPS has lost nearly 40,000 students in the past decade, with about 10,000 lost this year and another 10,000 projected next year.
  • The district plans to streamline public input by holding regional meetings for north, central and south areas instead of 13 separate district-wide sessions.
  • Some board members pushed back: “We can’t keep closing schools every year,” District 2 representative Rebecca Thompson said.
  • Redefining talks for 2027-2028 begin in July, with a final vote scheduled for December.

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.