Broward County Public Schools is considering repurposing another group of schools.
Currently, 10 schools in the Florida district are being considered for closure as part of the 2026-2027 "Redefining our
Schools" initiative, according to a presentation shared during an Oct. 6 school board workshop. Broward's website says the district has more than 60,000 empty student seats — it claims the district has lost more than 48,000 students over the past 10 years, and about $430 million in revenue.
"Non-action is not an option," Superintendent Howard Hepburn said during the meeting. "Our expenses will continue to outweigh our revenue, and our reserves will be eaten up."
Allen Zeman, a school board member, recommended that the board consider, in "future meetings," closing 26 schools that were identified as being able to "send their kids to an adjacent school within a feeder pattern."
The Broward County School Board previously voted to close and consolidate six schools in January of this year.
The board didn't make any firm decisions during the workshop, and none of the options are considered set in stone. The board will vote on finalized plans later in the year.
According to the district's website, a series of meetings discussing the schools was scheduled throughout September, with "parents, students, employees and community members" invited to attend to have "conversations about the future of schools" throughout the district.
As a result of the community feedback on the potential closures, a series of options for consolidation were presented for many of the below schools at the meeting, in addition to the original proposals. The original proposals are listed below.
The schools suggested for closure and/or consolidation are as follows, according to the presentation contained in the Oct. 6 agenda:
- Dolphin Bay Elementary, located in Miramar, Florida. Students would be transitioned into Glades Middle School, located in Miramar, with the grades at Glades Middle School extended to serve kindergarten through eighth grade.
- Silver Lakes Elementary, located in Miramar, Florida. Students would be transitioned into Glades Middle School, located in Miramar, with the grades at Glades Middle School extended to serve kindergarten through eighth grade.
- Hollywood Park Elementary, located in Hollywood, Florida. Its students would be transitioned into Boulevard Heights Elementary and West Hollywood Elementary, both located in Hollywood.
- Oakridge Elementary, located in Hollywood, Florida. Its students would be transitioned to Colbert Elementary and Dania Elementary, the former located in Hollywood and the latter located in Dania Beach, Florida.
- Coral Springs Elementary, located in Coral Springs, Florida. Its students would be transitioned to Eagle Ridge Elementary and Parkside Elementary, both located in Coral Springs.
- Forest Glen Middle School, located in Coral Springs, Florida. The nearby Coral Park Elementary, Forest Hills Elementary, James S. Hunt Elementary and Park Springs Elementary would have their grades extended to cover grade 6, and the grades of Coral Springs High School would be extended to cover grades seven through 12.
- Lloyd Estates Elementary, located in Oakland Park, Florida. Students would be transitioned to Cypress Elementary and Oakland Park Elementary, the former located in Pompano Beach and the latter located in Oakland Park.
- Banyan Elementary, located in Sunrise, Florida. Students would be transitioned to Discovery Elementary and Village Elementary, both located in Sunrise.
- Walter C. Young Middle, located in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Students would be transitioned into Pines 6-12 and Silver Trail Middle, both located in Pembroke Pines. Another option would have students transition to Charles W. Flanagan High School, located in Pembroke Pines, creating a school that serves grades six through 12.
- William E. Dandy Middle, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Students would be transitioned to Parkway Middle, located in Lauderhill, Florida. Another option would involve transitioning the middle school students at Dillard 6-12, located in Fort Lauderdale, into Parkway Middle. Dillard would return to a school serving grades nine through 12, and William. E. Dandy Middle would remain a school serving grades six through eight.
- Sunset Lakes Elementary, located in Miramar, Florida, would become a school serving kindergarten through eighth grade.
Broward County schools were down about 12,300 students
Broward County Public Schools had about 12,300 fewer students compared to last year, according to the latest data from the district.
The district had a total of 224,324 students enrolled on Sept. 14 during the 2026-2027 academic year, compared to 236,667 students the prior year, counting those enrolled in charter schools, according to a September report released by the district.
That represents an overall loss of 12,343 students. Charter schools lost 2,071 students year-over-year, dropping from 48,820 to 46,749. District schools lost 10,272 students, dropping from 187,847 to 177,575.
For comparison, the district had 226,424 students enrolled in district schools alone on the same date during the 2017-2018 academic year.
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida school district considering closing 10 more schools
