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(Fort Lauderdale, FL) - The enrollment crisis is shrinking the footprint of the Broward County Public school district with more schools closing. The board is adding an additional community workshop next month, October 6th, to hear from parents whose children are being displaced by the proposed closures.
Chief Strategy Officer, Valerie Wanza, says before students are reassigned, residents are invited to seven community meetings to take part in the transition recommendations.
Oakland Park commissioner Tim Lonergan says recommendations from parents at community meetings on school closing and repurposing are falling on deaf ears.
Miramar parent, Tatiana Simmons, telling the board she is concerned about combining elementary students with middle schoolers.
"You may say bad things happen everywhere, and that is true. But I do not see sexual assaults, drugs, and weapons at Dolphin Bay Elementary. Keeping Glades open should not come at the expense of our youngest children."
Board member Maura McCarthy-Bulman reassuring residents and parents that the board is listening and does hear their concerns especially about combining an elementary school with a K-8 school.
The Broward Schools redefining program is a result of a 13% drop in enrollment in the last five years. The board says less students means less money from the state, so the budget dictates the district footprint.
Six schools have already been closed with 10 more schools to potentially close after this academic year pending the board's final decision in December.