The number of potential Broward school closures next year could skyrocket under an idea supported by Superintendent Peter Licata and some School Board members.
The School Board directed Licata last fall to develop a plan to close or dramatically overhaul at least five schools for the 2025-26 school year. But the district actually has 54,100 more seats than students, the equivalent of about 40 to 60 schools.
Licata told the South Florida Sun Sentinel last month he expected school closures to be a multi-year effort, with the ultimate goal of matching student seats with enrollment. But after researching other districts with declining enrollment, including Houston and San Antonio, Licata told the School Board Tuesday he would rather close a large amount of schools at one time.
“I believe in my heart that if we were to piecemeal this, we would be our own worst enemy and we would not be transparent,” he said. “All the districts that have reduced as a one-shot deal, it has worked out much better in the long run. It’s hard at first. You’re taking a beating, but it was the right thing for them, and I believe in my heart of heart it’s the right thing for us.”
Ultimately, it will be up to the School Board to make any final decisions, and the board already appears divided before seeing a proposal with actual school names on it. While the district has released a list of 67 schools that meet the district’s definition of being underenrolled, officials insist that’s not a list of schools recommended for closure.
School Board members in the past have supported the idea of closing schools until actual schools were named and they faced backlash from constituents.
The School Board plans to discuss the issue at a March 20 workshop, where Licata said he will bring specific data about schools that could be candidates for closure. The factors the district may consider include the current enrollment, birth rates in the area, availability of nearby schools to house the students, inability to compete with a charter school, academic performance and facility condition, Licata said.
“When you start looking at schools and you see this one fits in every box, why would we keep it open?” Licata said.
Some current School Board members agree with Licata that the district is long overdue for downsizing and shouldn’t delay, while others argue a massive change in one year could create chaos in the school-boundary process and further erode public trust.
Board member Nora Rupert, who represents northeast Broward, said her schools have some of the worst facilities due to years of district neglect, but kids still get a great education there.
“I am not prepared to close 60 schools, or 40 schools. I can tell you that. Not in a hot minute,” she said. “Schools are the heartbeat of every community.”
Rupert said she supports compiling a list of schools that meet the criteria for possible closure “but ultimately, it’s the board’s decision.”
But the district is also facing a grim budget year. The district’s enrollment is projected to decline another 4,000 students this fall, which a district administrator said equates to $35 million in cuts from the state. Federal COVID relief dollars, which the district used to help fund teacher raises approved Tuesday, expire after this year.
“It is scary, very scary, considering our lowering enrollment and our facilities in need of repairs and making sure we compensate our staff so that teaching actually gets done,” Licata told reporters Tuesday. “If you’re asking me if I stay up at night worrying about the budget every night, I do.”
Some board members say that the district can no longer afford to operate half-empty schools.
Daniel Foganholi, who represents schools in the southeast part of the county, said he supports making necessary changes at once.
“It’s very clear that we’re in a tight spot. We know that’s the step we need to take,” he said. “The question is are we slowly ripping the Band-Aid off? Or are we ready to go all in and do what’s best for our community, best for our budget, best for our staff. We continue to have this conversation and just sort of walk on eggshells, and I think we’re hurting our community and our kids.”
Allen Zeman, a countywide School Board member, said he’s not opposed to closing a large amount of schools in one year if it’s warranted, but he needs to first see data to support that.
“I think there’s a difference between having the courage to do what’s right and having the information you need to figure out what right looks like,” Zeman said.