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At this time, we will now resume our school board workshop. The last item is schoolboard workshop 2, redefining our schools update. Today, the school board is being asked to provide guidance to the superintendent on the final schools to be addressed in phase two and the
amended timeline. Um, please, if you are here for public speaking, please make sure to sign in on the sign-in sheet. So, we have we've captured everyone who is here to speak. I now turn it over to the superintendent for a statement. Thank you, Madam Chair. Good afternoon, everyone, BCPS community, parents,
stakeholders, and all that are present and uh most likely watching online. Today we begin to turn the page on redefining our schools phase two marking an important milestone in our ongoing effort to rightsize our system strengthening academic programs and respond to community voice. I want to
take a moment to thank our staff led by Dr. Wanza for their outstanding work and preparing this presentation for leading and for and for leading meaningful community conversations across the district. So that's a round of applause for Dr. Wanza her team.
Um over the past several weeks, uh the team has conducted eight community meetings throughout Broward County. I also want to thank our parents, staff, municipal leaders, and community partners who attended and provided thoughtful feedback. Your insights have been invaluable in shaping how we move forward. The feedback we receive
reinforces what we all know our community deeply values as neighborhood schools and wants what's best for our students. But to honor that commitment commitment, we must also be willing to have those tough conversations. We can no longer afford to fund empty or half
empty schools. Uh we must fund students and the quality of their educational experiences. Every dollar should strengthen instruction, expand programs, and enhance the learning environments where our students thrive. As we move into this next phase, our guiding principle remains clear to align our
resources and facilities to best serve students, sustain excellence, and build a stronger future for Broward County Public Schools. At this time, I'll turn it over to Dr. Wanza and her staff to go through the redefining our schools presentation. Good afternoon. Thank you, Dr. Hburn.
I'm Valerie Wanza, the chief strategy and innovation officer. Before we get started, I would um ask my team to introduce themselves as well. Um, in addition to the individuals who will introduce themselves, we also have on our team Miss Patty Brown, the director of athletics and student activities.
She's here, as well as Eric Anderson, the director of before and after school care programs. Uh, good afternoon, Joe Beck, director of demographics and enrollment planning. Good afternoon, Adrien Parker, executive director, strategic initiative management.
Good afternoon, Willie Wood, director of performance management. Good afternoon. Cassandra Freed, director of magnet and innovative programs. Good afternoon. Dante Collins, director of charter schools management support department.
As uh Beacon brings up the presentation and we begin the conversation. Our team, we would be remiss although we are the collective group um that was charged with facilitating and leading this work. We would be remiss if we didn't thank and give our sincere gratitude to the cabinet and the senior leadership team
for their support as well as the individuals who work tirelessly with us um to facilitate the eight meetings across the community. That would be Beacon, Legislative Affairs, Marketing and Communications, Strategic Partnerships, uh physical plan
operations, custodial grounds, definitely our language interpreters. We're thankful for um our teacher leaders and a variety of our leadership pipeline programs for coming out and more importantly to the eight high schools that opened their doors um welcomed us and just were gracious hosts
for this process. So, as Beacon brings up the presentation, as Miss Leonardi stated, um our purpose here today really is to um have some conversation, dialogue, and then finally um hear from the board, the schools that
we will go out um in the next phase of this process and have the three regional meetings and also look at the amended timeline that we um have included as well. Okay. And this just walks us through um how the presentation is organized.
Again, as the superintendent said, this was the meeting schedule where we conducted the eight um community meetings across the community and we also met um with cities that were that are experiencing under enrollment. We met with the city managers and in
some instances um the mayor, some of the uh city commissioners. We also the superintendent had a meeting with um the city manager association and he also hosted the mayoral roundt in September as we um went out and engaged with the
community. These these six uh items here pretty much encapsulate the collective community um consensus on all of the information that we received. And as we heard stated in an earlier um comment by one of our advisory chairs, uh the the
community does get concerned around this annual process and they and they're really looking for some stability as we continue to rightsize the district and they have to make decisions for their families. And then two of the things that really stand out obviously is around marketing and facility
conditions. So, um, the next slide just basically talks about the thought exchange process and the process that we use to, um, garner the thoughts of our community and and civic leaders. And I'm going to move through this because you'll see this is the question that we asked individuals
who attended the meetings as well as those online to respond to. As the district works to rightsize our footprint, a variety of strategies will be implemented during the redefining phase two, including but not limited to, and we talked about the tough decisions around school consolidations,
repurposing grade configurations, and improving academic offerings. But more importantly, what we wanted to know from our parents in the community is what models, programs um and resources are important to families and the community.
So over the eight nights we had um over a thousand participants that gave us over a thousand um thoughts and then over 15,000 ratings occurred for the thoughts that were presented. And included in the presentation is a link
for each one of the thought exchange um portals so that parents can go in and they can see the thoughts and they can see the interactive ratings as well. We also um wanted to report out to the board and the community both the inerson attendance as well as those who watched
um each meeting online. So that summary is provided for you on slide 11. And then also included um in as in the appendix you will see for each one of the 34 schools a complete facility conditions index. But as we walk through some of the strategies you will see a
number that says FCI. And this is pretty much how the um facilities index condition is computed. And as we go through the presentations and there are questions related specifically to this, Miss Paul and her team are here to support us and we thank them for that.
So the first meeting we had was at Myar High School and uh you can see there were over 186 participants. This is their collective thoughts that they entered into the thought exchange portal um around the question that we asked. And the schools that we addressed at
Myiar were Fairway Elementary, Myiar Elementary, Sunshine Elementary, Watkins Glaze, and New Renaissance. And um the potential strategies there, I will go over them high level because I know that it will um we'll have greater discussion in a little bit. So basically um for
this meeting we talked about the potential or we one of the potential strategies I'll say is to combine fairway and sunshine um on one of the campuses and then utilize the other campus for another district use for Watkins. Um the city of Penrook Park has
expressed interest in leasing some space for community programming to support not only the school but as well as the surrounding community. And then um Myiar Elementary School is a school that does have space um to possibly use space um
at Myiar at Myar Elementary School, I'm sorry, for either some community program or another district use. And then lastly, um the one that garers um a great bit of attention is to repurpose Glades Middle School into a branch campus of Sheridan and Technical College
um to expand workforce education opportunities in partnership with the city of Myiramar and the local business community. And then this would require us um or we think it will require us to expand some of the elementary schools in this feeder pattern to a 6 to8 model to
accommodate um for this strategy. And then the the um following maps kind of give you some enrollment data, some space utilization. Again, at the very bottom is the facility conditions index. And then you can see the enrollment for Fairway and Sunshine as it relates to
the decision making purposes if the schools were to be combined and on which facility they would be combined. And the same um is true this this uh slide provides the same information for both Glades Middle and New Renaissance Middle School.
Um okay, our second conversation was at Halllandell High School. Um and you can see that again 128 participants entered thoughts uh there and the number of ratings there. And this is just a summary of the thoughts that were um
collected that night. And then the strategy for Howlandale High School is to uh redesign the school um in a 4-day school week model similar to that at PMPO Beach High School. However, the programmatic design, we would collaborate with the uh local businesses
and the community. Understanding that Hallindelle High School is a current high school um unlike PMPO Beach High when it reopened. um the there would need to be some kind of consideration or thought process around how um the students currently at the school um
receive priority or or if it is a phase out. But really, it's really working to redesign the school to a 4-day school week as well as um do some unique community programming to attract students to the school. And then we will work on um entrance criteria and things
of that nature and also to develop a very comprehensive comprehensive marketing strategy uh for the school and I'm sure members from the community will speak more as in the public speaking session. I keep
pushing the button. Okay, I got to press it where. Okay. And then this um th this slide really gives again some enrollment information for Halllandale High as well as some facility information. The reason why Myar High School is here is because um
depending on how the selection criteria, the boundary, the uh current students at the school, it may um bring into question or or bring into um the potential of actually reassigning some of the school some of the students to
Myar High School, which you know, I'm I'm a student who u former student, no longer a student, a former student who um once um obviously I attended Myar High. I resided in the city of uh West Park growing up. At that time, West Park was assigned primarily to Myiar
MacArthur High School. Now, the entire neighborhood is assigned to Halllandale. So, that Myiar is here just with the um possibility that some of the schools may some of the students rather may get assigned to Myar High. So, that is why Myar High is up here.
The next meeting we had was at South Broward High School. Um and you can see the participants through the summary of the thoughts. And at South Broward High School, we discussed uh the three middle schools listed. And for these three schools, um
two of the schools, Addex and McNichol are in the city of Hollywood and Olsen is in the city of Dana Beach. Um the community really expressed an interest to offer some type of workforce training programs, uh technical technical education programs at Addex Middle
School to address some community needs. So there's the potential there to partner with Sheridan Tech as well as Community School South. Um obviously collaborating with the community on the programming that would be offered. And then the city of Dana Beach um has been very vocal and very supportive in
occupying space at Olsen Middle School, not only to um deliver some community programming, but the programming would be available to enhance the academic offerings at the school. And lastly, the city of Hollywood has expressed an interest in utilizing some space at
McNickel for um some administrative needs that they have and they are very interested in supporting career programs um that would add value added value to addicts and McNickl middle schools. Our
next conversation was at Dillard High School and you see the summary of thoughts there that were um submitted by the 80 participants as well as the 554 ratings. And we addressed Bennett Elementary, Northfort, Thood Marshall, and Walker
elementary schools. And so some of the strategies there would be one to combine North Fork Elementary and Walker um elementary combine the boundary with the students all attending Walker Elementary School. For the North Fork Elementary site, it would then be to enter into a
partnership with Junior Achievement of South Florida and build the educational career center that would that would be um utilized not only for um the students but also for the community in that area. um the uh emphasis will be on workforce readiness and secondary education. Then
for the third good Marshall um campus really um an opportunity to perhaps transition that school to a K8 gifted education and dual language academy. obviously um support the sports academy elementary model at Bennett Elementary
School and continue to enhance, support and um provide resources to the programs currently um flourishing at Northside Elementary School. And for this model, you will see um both the enrollment, the capacity um as well
as the uh facility conditions index data for the three elementary schools that would um be involved in some type of a boundary situation depending on what um strategies are implemented. The next conversation was at Stranahan
High School and you um there were the 111 participants. This is a summary of their thoughts as well as the ratings. And then for Stratahan High School, the community is really interested in developing and offering a maritime
industry marine magnet at the school. Um there's great interest as well as an opportunity um to provide this right in the neighborhood of uh for students and and one of the things that it would not do um is it is not intended to compete
or conflict with the um the marine science magnet that is currently at South Broward High School. But this would really broaden um the spectrum of programming offered obviously collaborate with the community as well as the local businesses in the area on the programmatic design. And here again
is a call for another um comprehensive marketing strategy for the pathways that'll be offered at the school. The next conversation was at Plantation High School and you see the thoughts um the comp the summary of the thoughts and the ratings and at um Plantation High
School we discussed Bear Middle, Plantation, Middle, Westpine Middle and Plantation High School. So one of the strategies um is to uh combine Plantation Middle and Plantation High School into a comprehensive 6 to2 school on the campus of Plantation High School.
Um, and the the city of Plantation is very much interested in developing while while the slide says public service because it leaves it broad, but the city really wants to focus on a public safety um type of career pathway to really
focus on uh uh police academy, a fire academy, EMT, the wide breath of um public safety type of um career pathways. but we left it open on the slide to say public service because they may decide to um add on to that, but
their initial focus would really be on the public safety aspect. And then um we would repurpose the plantation middle facility for another district use. We um there's also the potential to create an innovative seamless K through8 pathway
design uh between Horizon Elementary which is just east right next door to Bear Middle School. the city of um Sunrise also currently um they're utilizing some space or they have um prepared a partnership if it's not already finalized to utilize space at
West Pine and they would look to um perhaps um utilize more space on that campus or um the other potential strategy would be to combine Bear Middle School and West Pine's boundaries and assign all of the students to Westpine
and then repurpose Bear for another district use. And um here are the maps for uh Bear and West Pine so that you can um see the data there and also for Plantation Middle and Plantation High School.
Our next conversation was um at Charles W. Flanigan High School. You can see the participants 435 and um the thoughts that were entered as the summary as well as the ratings. And this is the list of schools that we um discussed. There were several elementary schools as you can
see and two middle schools. And so some of the strategies here is would be to extend the grades offered at Dolphin Bay, Silver Lakes, and Sunset Lakes um to K8 schools to combine Chapel Trail and Panther Run on into one campus on
the uh Chapel Trail campus and then repurpose Panther Run either as a special day school for students with autism. There's also um the opportunity to um keep Panther Run as an elementary school and colllocate a school within a
school for students with autism at Panther Run. Um and then another strategy um that calls two other schools um into the conversation would be to combine Palm Cove Elementary School and Pines Lakes Elementary School onto one
one of either one of the campuses similar to the Sunshine um Sunshine and Fairway for over on the Myiar slide and then repurpose whichever facility um is not being used for students for another district use.
Oh, okay. And then the um as since there were a number of schools um addressed, we would um the board did give us um direction to go ahead and study this to move the Silver Palms Elementary School feeder pattern from the Walter C. Young and Flanigan um feeder to the Silver
Trail and West Broward. Another option here um would be to split the boundary of Walter C. Young middle school into Pine 6 through 12 collegiate academy and Silver Trail and create a 3 to8 gifted education and dual language academy. Um
and then uh another strategy could be to split Walter C. Young again um into Pines and Silver Trail and then partner with the city of Pimbert Pines to build attainable workforce housing um on the current Walter C. young site. And at
just to um for the board's uh remembrance and for the edification of the community, um we do have a 50-year lease um with the city of Pinrook Pines. The city um owns the land. The district um you know built the facilities, but we
do have a 50-year lease that does uh it expires in the year of 2037. And then here are the maps for um Chapel Trail and Panther Run. If we if the strategy to con uh combine those schools is considered.
The battery is dead. Here are the maps for Dolphin Bay, Silver Lakes, and Sunset Lakes. Again, um if the uh potential strategy for extending those grades to 8th grade um were to be studied deeper.
And then here are the maps for Lakeside, Palm Cove, and Pines Lakes. And then depending on what happens um in this conversation, we uh may or may not um decide to now bring Coconut Palm Elementary into the conversation because they would be the only school e even
though um those students are assigned to um New Renaissance for middle school, high school, um Everglaze is their high school. So Coconut Palm may or may not come into the conversation. And here are the maps for um Silver
Trail and Walter C. The maps and the corresponding enrollment and facility data. And then since we would move the students from um Silver Palms over from Flanigan to West Broward, we did um for the board's um edification uh provide
maps and data for Flanigan and West Broward. Our final conversation was at um Coral Springs High School and you can see the summary of the thought exchange data there. the uh strategies for consideration. Um obviously we discussed
the middle schools listed. Um the community was very much interested in an infusion of highly sought-after innovative programs like Cambridge dual language but just some highly sought after innovative programs into all of the middle schools in the area. And then
um another strategy um they both strategies um uh would split in some way the boundary of the current Forest Glenn Middle School and either adjust the boundaries of Coral Springs Middle um
Ramblewood Middle or Sawrass Springs Middle to accommodate or allow for all of the students currently assigned to Forest Glenn Middle to remain in the city of Coral Springs for middle school. And then the other um uh potential strategy would be to split the boundary
of the current Forest Glenn Middle School and assign the students into either Coral Springs Middle or Lions Creek Middle School and then repurpose the Forest Glenn facility for another district use. And here are the maps um
for Coral Springs and Forest Glenn Middle School. And then um one of the things we um heard from the community was really um the potential of having some type of a dedicated school or dedicated um
facility for students with autism. So there is the opportunity to colllocate a school within a school at Coral Springs Elementary School because they they um do have space if that is something that the board wanted staff to further examine.
And here's just um for the um board's um edification as well as the public the map of Coral Springs Elementary School. As it relates to our non-traditional schools, there is an opportunity potentially to combine um Seagull and
Whitten here in the central region of the county. Some of the um programming at Seagull is um situated on the WI wind campus currently, but basically um all of the um students and programs would be transition to Win Rogers. We would
relocate the current adults with disabilities program to another site. And then um the the Seagull campus, we could potentially partner with the city of Fort Lauderdale um for some uh needs that they may have or we can repurpose
that for another district use. So um the slide here just provides um an initial look into some potential um cost savings or uh financial impact if we um were to completely close um a school and
and offline it. Um the superintendent I know will speak um more if or staff as questions come up because what we also have to realize is if we um maintain the facility for another another district use we do not um realize all of these
cost savings. The next three slides um just provide to the board and the public um some some information on the schools of hope legislation. I won't um read the slide verbatim, but if questions come up, staff is here and we're prepared to
answer them. But the next three slides do provide information on that legislation as it relates to how schools are identified, what happens um for facility usage um and um and and
expanded um right out of the statute explanation there. But we are here and we're prepared to answer questions if they arise. Uh and then um for for the timeline we we did make um two minor adjustments. The
first one we have um obviously we're here today on October 7th for the second workshop. We have um worked with superintendent calendar as well as we reach had legislative affairs reach out to all of the municipalities. So we have established um the three dates for the
three regional meetings and so we went ahead and adjusted the timeline to reflect those actual dates and then once we know the schools that that are going to move to the next phase then we will be able to actually um create the school
boundary committee and we are looking to have um orientation with them in this month and then they would meet in the month of November to actually vote on recommend recommendations that they believe um uh um well recommendations
that should come forward to the school board. They'll be able to vote and give some feedback and then we know in November the board will have its organizational meeting and then we'll be able to finalize the actual December and January dates. And again, um as I said, these are the
dates for the three regional meetings. Um the north meeting will be at Coral Springs High School. The central meeting will be at Dillard High School and the south meeting will be at Myar High School. And that is the extent of the
presentation. We have a very extensive um appendix. And with that, Mr. I'm sorry, Dr. Heburn and um Vice Chair Leonardi, we have completed the presentation. Thank you. Thank you so much for that presentation. Okay. For the public speakers, I will be reading four names
at a time. So, if two could line up on one at one podium and two on the other um so we can move nicely and quickly that would be great. Um so the first four names I have are Nicole Nunees, Christine McMi,
Anna Kujo, and Cindy Kim. So just be prepared to uh speak when the other is done. We're doing three minutes. Yes. Nicole Nunes. Good afternoon, members of the board.
First, I want to thank Rebecca Thompson for inviting me this afternoon and giving me the opportunity to share my family story. This is my son, Harrison. He is in the ESC cluster program at Sunset Lakes Elementary. He is not just a student here. He is a part of the very
fabric of the school. He participates in school activities with all students. He is taught by exceptional teachers and he is supported by staff who is fully committed to making sure that he is fully included. Because of Sunset Lakes Elementary, he is thriving. He is
learning social skills. He is playing with his peers, building friendships, and more importantly, growing confidence every day. And his peers learn from him, too. Empathy, patience, and acceptance. That is true inclusion. This is where children learn and grow together. And
that's not just a nice idea. It's the law. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that children with Disabilities be taught alongside non-disabled peers whenever possible. That is the least restrictive environment. But if the only middle school option in our district is an
autism center or a charter school, that promise cannot be fulfilled. those settings isolate and instead don't allow for choices for my family and for children like Harrison. That would just be devastating. That's why I'm here this afternoon, not only as Harrison's
mother, but on behalf of so many working parents, staff, and community members at Sunset Lakes Elementary who cannot be here. We are asking you to expand Sunset Lakes Elementary into a K through8 to avoid School of Hopes coming into our community, but also to strengthen the
ESC clusters along with it. My family and other families want stability. We want teachers to have their resources. And we want our community to grow strong so that we keep our kids together in their home schools where they belong. I want you all to look at this picture.
Harrison is not in the margins. He is at the center of his school community. To weaken the ESC clusters at Sunset Lakes by stopping at fifth grade would not just harm him and his classmates, it would harm the culture of the entire school. It would push families away from Boward and from our district and not
give us any options, which is why I moved back to the district for those options. But if you expand Sunset Lakes into a K through8, you're sending the opposite message. You're telling families that we are valued. You're telling and inspiring teachers in Florida's highest demanding field, we
care. You have a job here. You're giving students opportunities like electives, clubs, and community. And you allow the school to compete with other options in the area and win. board members. This is more about facilities. It's about values. It's about listening to our community and asking them to expand Sunset Lakes, grow our clusters, and
keep kids like Harrison included and supported, thriving. You have the choice to show the community that you hear us, that you value us, that you value our kids, and not that you're going to uproot it. So, I ask you today, please expand our school, please expand our ESC
clusters, and give our kids all the possibilities. Thank you. Thank you, Christine McMahon. Nebby. Good afternoon, chair, superintendent, and members of the board. My name is Christine McMahon, and I am proud to serve the students, families, and
teachers at Glades Middle School. This work is deeply personal to me because I know just how much strong public schools matter. Glades is not a failing school. We have consistently earned an A rating. We have one of the newest facilities in the district and a staff with decades of commitment. This is a school not to
close or repurpose, but to invest in. Our proposal, submitted to the board on Thursday, offers three innovative pathways. An exceptional student academy, a STEM magnet academy, and a Cambridge gifted academy. These build on Glade strengths, expand opportunities
for every learner, and bring to Western Broward the kind of programming families currently have to travel east to find. These pathways will attract new families and create a natural pipeline to our feeder high schools. We are ready to grow enrollment, expand industry
certifications, and continue Gla's legacy as a model of excellence. There's also a proposal from the board to repurpose Glades as a branch campus for Sheridan Technical College, moving middle school students to elementary campuses, or as reported in the Sun
Sentinel, giving them the option to attend New Renaissance. Respectfully, I must urge you to consider what that truly means. Our elementary schools are not equipped for adolescence. They lack basketball courts, soccer fields, tracks, adequately sized gyms, and music
facilities like band and choir rooms. They were built for 5-year-olds, not 14y olds. Mixing teenagers with kindergarteners raised serious concerns about space, safety, and developmental appropriateness. Middle school students
need environments that challenge them academically, socially, and physically, not spaces designed for much younger children. Many school many students have already chosen Glades over New Renaissance because they wanted a different environment. Forcing those
students back or dispersing our students amongst elementary schools will not strengthen Broward schools. It will only drive more parents to charter options, leading to further enrollment loss for the district. Glades has the facilities, the staff, and the community programs in
place already to meet the needs of learners. By redefining Glades instead of dismantling it, you preserve vital middle school opportunities while still expanding workforce education for the community. In short, Glades Middle
School does not need to be repurposed. It needs to be redefined. With your support, we can grow, innovate, and remain a cornerstone for the community. On behalf of our students, our families, and our teachers, I urge you to support our proposal to redefine Glades Middle
School. Thank you. Thank you, Cindy Kim or Anna Kuo. Cindy Kim, and then Penelopey Gabberet. Good afternoon, Madam Chair. Um, Dr. Hburn. Thank you. My name is Anna Kujo and I'm a parent of an autistic child in Broward County Public Schools. I'm here
today to support a South Florida autism charter school campus in Broward. I hear many arguments for and against an independently run model. So, it's important for the board to keep a few things in mind. One-third of the students at the South Florida Autism Charter School in Hyia campus drive
there from Broward County every day. Some all the way from Deerfield Beach, but 100% of the families that are in that school are there by choice. This should never be referred to as segregating ASD students. These are all families who found this to be the best
fit for their child. Adding this choice in Broward does not affect or change any programs currently in place or do anything to affect the the um cluster classes currently servicing children on the spectrum. Before deciding what kind
of program to offer for ASD, I really beg you to look at the two preK models we have for autism. ARK Broward and Bodwin are by far the most sought-out programs because they are providing better services. This is not a criticism. It is just a fact. Please
look into ESFax. Um, parents from your community have brought this forward out of necessity. All we ask is that you listen to us and involve us in the decision-making process. There are so many options out here that we are discussing today for neurotypical students to choose from. Autistic
students deserve the same. I would also like to point out the financial benefits of partnering with South Florida autism charter schools. As a district- managed charter, this would generate charter management fees that would go straight back into BCPS. Additionally, the potential lease of an underenrolled or
underutilized property could generate income for the district as well. I urge board members and district staff to reach out and speak to current families from Broward who have chosen to send their children to ESFAX and gain some perspective as to why this would be a beneficial model to offer in our own
community. Thank you. Thank you, Cindy Kim. And then we have Penelopey Gabberet, Aisha Brooks, and Maxine Scene. Good afternoon, Dr. Hepern, Madame Chair, and members of the school board. I'm here today on behalf of Glades Middle School. I serve as our staff
chair, as the PTSA vice president, and the SAC gifted parent representative, but most importantly, as a parent of an eighth grader who has who has attended Glades for the past three years. I first considered Glades um after meeting with our Cambridge director. And my decision
was truly confirmed after his elementary school. My son's elementary school teacher told me that the curriculum at Glades was far stronger than that of nearby charter schools. And that teacher was absolutely right. Glades Middle School has challenged and supported my
son in ways that have helped him to thrive. So, Miss McMahon spoke about our proposal for the three different pathways, and I'm going to focus on two of those pathways. We're asking the board to redefine Glades Middle School as a dual magnet school for STEM and
advanced academics. And this makes sense because Glades already has both the infrastructure and the teachers in place to deliver this curriculum at a very high level. Um, this dual magnet program will succeed because it's already
working for students like my son. A lot of our public schools have the same electives and clubs, but what sets Glades apart is the quality of its educators and its programs. For example, my son's computer science teacher. She
was a finalist of the CT for this. She was a finalist for the CTE um teacher of the year award. She provides industry certifications for her students and thanks to her, my son had already has certifications in PowerPoint, HTML and CSS.
His debate coach and teacher, Miss McMahon, who just spoke, she is a diamond level coach with over 10,000 National Speech and Debate Association points. And through our through our team, we have a strong and active team
of 38 students. And through our debate program, we my son competes at monthly tournaments, gaining NSDA points that follow him through high school. In fact, they have a competition today. And I I do want to mention that Gleed Middle School is the
only middle school that hosts an invitational tournament for all middle schools in our county. My son's biology teacher holds two master's degrees, bringing advanced knowledge and passion to her classroom. and he has been taught by a dedicated
team of GEM math teachers and participates in the math club which part which participates in two national competitions the AMC8 and math counts. So Glades is already providing a foundation for a true dual magnet
program. uh redefining the school in this way would not only recognize what is already happening there but it would strengthen and open opportunities for many more students. So today on behalf of Glades we urge the board please do
not repurpose it. Thank you. into a technical college but redefine it into a dual magnet program for STEM and mag and advanced academics. Thank you Gabberet. Okay. Good afternoon, members of the board. My name is
Penelopey. I'm here today not only as a concerned mother, but as a voice for the many families and faculty members who make Panther Elementary the special place that it is. I understand that a change needs to be made, but I'm here today to plead from my heart. Please choose the
option that allows our children to remain at Panther Run. Whatever that option may be, I beg you to consider it. That being said, I urge I urge you not to overlook the students who are here right now with any changes that may come. Please understand any decision
made should truly benefit the children currently enrolled as well. It should enhance their experience, their opportunities, and the overall quality of their education. If additional funding comes in, it should also directly support our kids and help strengthen the programs and community they already are a part of. I tried to
come up with the list of all the reasons why you should keep our school intact. From the safety of the building itself to the convenience of the location. The reality is that although all those things are true, there is a deeper reason. I am scared. We are all scared. Scared to see our children,
sorry, suffer the emotional stress of losing the foundation. They've worked so hard to build. Scared to see the relationships they've fostered for so long suddenly torn apart. sorry, scared for them to be placed
somewhere new where they might lose their sense of belonging. We can't overlook how deeply the emotional stress affects children. It doesn't just fade away. It lingers when their safe place is taken from them. It shakes their confidence,
motivation, and even their ability to learn. Our famil family's hearts are in that school. It is more than a building. It's our home. In an effort to make our voices heard, the hashtags savepan run campaign was born from the hearts of our families, teachers, and students who
love the school and refuse to let it go without a fight. It is our way of showing the community what Panther means to us. Families are sharing videos, photos, stories of their favorite moments at Panther. Rebecca, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. I'm sorry for all the
Instagram tags. Through this campaign, we plan to continue to let our voices and our children's voices be heard, reminding everyone how much Panther means to us. Every child at Panther deserves to finish their school years in a place that feels like home. We're asking you please to keep the home alive
for our children, our teachers, and the future of this incredible community. From the bottom of my heart, I'm asking you to hear us and see our pain and let our children keep the school that has given them so much. Thank you. Thank you, Aisha Brooks.
Good afternoon, board members. My name is Aisha Brooks. I'm a proud parent at Pines Lakes Elementary, and I'm a proud product of Broward County Public Schools. Um, I've attended elementary, middle, and high school in Broward County. So, I know firsthand the impact that strong neighborhood schools can
have on a child's life. Um, I stand before you because Pines Lakes is more than just a school. It's a family. is a place where children feel safe and supported and inspired. I understand the district is considering merging Pines Lakes with Palm Cove. Um while I know
the decisions are not easy, I want to share what makes our school strong and why we deserve to stay open. Um Pines Lakes, we have met our enrollment goals. Um we we have a thriving prek program, one of the only. Um our classrooms are at capacity and that's grades K through
eight. um which shows that our families continue to choose and trust our school. Um we have a thriving and an active PTA. I know because I'm a member of the board. Um and we currently have over $11,000 and if our PTA if our school is
shut down then we lose all the funds and we forfeit all the money and that everything goes away. Um, our PTAs raise funds for our programs, events, and the improvements of our school, which are all focused at helping our
kids grow. Um, if our school is closed, oh, I said that already. Sorry. Um, we've also, additionally, we've seen a steady growth with our parent involvement um in our engagement.
And this is proof that of our strong family partnerships that define Pines Lakes. Um, our student body is beautifully diverse. And we also have continued thriving programs. We have a vibrant music program that excites our students. We have a growing STEM program and a
competitive Lego team that we're starting for our second and our third graders that builds teamwork and innovations. Um, we are and also Um, our students, they love coming here. Our families, they feel welcomed. Our teachers are deeply invested. And I have
two children who attend Pines Lakes. One on an IEP and one a high achieving. And both have been given exactly what they need to thrive. The teachers here don't just teach, they care. They see every child's potential. So today, I ask from my heart to please keep Pines Elementary open because this school doesn't
deserve, this school doesn't just serve our community, it is our community. Thank you. Thank you. Maxine Singh, Cynthia Dominique, Jennifer Levy, and Commissioner Carol Shu. So, if I've called your name, please go
up to the mics. Good afternoon, board. Um, I think Maxine is supposed to be me, uh, Commissioner Laura Llewell and she I believe she registered for me. Okay, we have you on the list um separately. Yes. Okay, then it's not me. Thank you. Cynthia Dominique, Jennifer Levy,
Commissioner Carol Shuam. Okay, I don't see Cynthia, so I'll go. Hi, my name is Jennifer Levy and I am a parent of three BCPS children. As a mother with a child entering sixth grade at Coral Springs Middle School next year, I'm here to advocate for an autism
focused charter school on the Coral Springs Middle School campus, modeled after the South Florida Autism Charter School to address an urgent need in Broward County. Please note, this is not going to replace our cluster classes. If our cluster classes were doing their
job, I wouldn't feel the need to be here today. South Florida Autism Charter would address an urgent need in Broward County. This would help fill the 1900 seats at Coral Springs Middle School, which is currently
underenrolled, but also provide Broward families with access to a specialized autism charter, which our current system is lacking. Miami has an autism charter. Palm Beach has an autism charter. St. Lucy is getting an autism charter. Unfortunately, we have nothing
comparable here, which is concerning given that we're the sixth largest school district in the US and Florida has the highest autism prevalence in the country with 4.88% of children being diagnosed. I particularly support the idea of a district- managed autism charter in both
the north and south because for families like mine, it's not possible to commute over 45 minutes to a school since my son requires hours and hours of therapy after school. Coral Springs Middle School has a capacity of,900 students, currently
enrolls 1024 with an increase of 49 students from projections. This school should not be considered for closure as it's one of the few Broward schools experiencing growth. The principal is on the right track. Parents want this school. Penalizing the school because the building was built too large is not
the answer. Combining Coral Springs Middle School with another middle school like Forest Glenn will undoubtedly create additional behavioral challenges as having nearly 2,000 kids at a middle school campus is problematic with vaping and fighting. An autism charter at Coral
Springs Middle provides a solution that avoids boundary changes, preserves high school feeder patterns, helps funds the campus, and offers inclusion opportunities for all students. We keep hearing parents that are concerned saying, "Oh, an autism charter is going to segregate our kids." Well, not a school within a school. You'll have
inclusion opportunities for field trips, for school special events, and for a variety of the day-to-day academics. Finally, as a family directly affected by the MSD reboundary process, I urge that the area reszoned out of MSD, two Glades be made a boundary choice area.
My oldest attends MSD now, and without this option, my daughter will be separated from her friends at Country Hills and Coral Springs Middle without the chance to remain at MSD. No city should be allowed to save seats for future construction. We learned that in kindergarten, right? We do not save
seats. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you, Car Commissioner Carol Schuam. And then up next, we have Lette Scar and James Sparks. Thank you very much. Uh, good afternoon, Dr. Heburn, staff, and school board
members. Again, my name is Carol Shuham. I'm a Hollywood city commissioner, and I'm really here first and foremost to say thank you. I know this sometimes must feel like a thankless job, but I really want you to know that your work is so deeply appreciated by so many of
us in Broward County who love, support, and demand highquality public school education and who know that you are all working hard to ensure that our students have exactly that. I'm also here as a Hollywood commissioner. I am fortunate
to meet so many students who are thriving in Broward's excellent school system and could not agree more with the goal to keep as many of these schools open and thriving. In particular, our middle schools nearby we have awesome Olsen and historic addicts, but I want
to speak specifically about McNickel Middle School. I understand like so many schools there's extra space at McNickel and I want to en just assure you that the city of Hollywood staff is working with your staff to hopefully help to
fill it. Of course, I can only speak for myself, but I am aware and hopeful for some excellent partnership opportunities between the Broward County Public Schools and our city and I know that there are many ways to get a winwin for the schools, for our community at large.
Thank you again for the challenging work and the critical work that you all do. Thank you. Thank you, Lette Scare. Good afternoon, school board members and community. I'm here advocating for my son who has profound autism and urgent
needs that Broward schools are not currently meeting. Unlike my daughter, who's also on the spectrum, she is thriving in the general education setting. My son requires intensive, specialized intervention beyond what the cluster
programs can offer. His challenges in communication and behavior demand a tailored environment. As a parent, I'm doing everything possible to make sure he has that support in the classroom. Um, coincidentally, today I was informed that the company providing the additional RBT services can no longer
provide services for other reasons. Um, which leaves me scrambling once again to get him additional services in that type of a setting. Um, unfortunately, this is not the first time I've had to find new support and scramble at the last minute. Um, at only
6 years old, he's too much for the school to handle alone. Um, finding replacements is timeconuming and costly for our family. We're urgently needing a district- managed um, autism charter school much like what South Florida Autism Charter Schools has to
offer. It has the structure my son needs. Um, this publicly funded district overseen charter would ensure kids like my son who are profound autism get tailored education without having to leave the district. Please approve this for 2026.
Our children cannot wait. Thank you. Thank you, James Sparks. And then we have Pastor Sanders, Kunia Gordon, and Janette Luciano. My name is James Sparks. I want to say uh hello board members. I want to say hello Mr. Superintendent. I want to even
say hello to staff. I appreciate the district and the staff. We had eight nights. I didn't get them all, but I think they did a good job. I'm going to just kind of speak on a little history and stuff. We got some heavy hitters coming behind me. I'm just a little country boy. So, here I go. Uh this is
one of the first times since 1995 that I feel a little comfortable in uh what we're doing. All the years before my community went to eight different schools on a twob block street, we all went all the way out, my kids
went all the way out to Pines Middle. And then there were years that we be sitting around and they were trying to send us on out because they were trying to do racial quotas. So we lived through all of that. This was one of the first times that schools in the community didn't come up
and need to be closed. and you're working with us and trying to get some of our input. Now, we got to go a little further. Board members, we got schools here such as Hollandale High. If you go back, Miss Roer, you've been here a long time. Hollanddale High got robbed on a
lot of stuff. There's a lot of money that we need in that community. There's a lot of things we need for the school. Ball Parks was a chair, and I never forget, he and I didn't agree on very much. I I respected him cuz I believe every person have
their own opinion. But when Bob Parks helped get pump in Ohio started, if they came back and said they were short of supplies, Bob Park worked out a way to get it to them. So here we are in Hollandale. We're trying to do the same thing. We're trying to put a model together.
We're going to need money. We're going to need teachers. And listen, every teacher is not the right teacher for a program. And we need you guys to look at that. We got Mike Nickel over there. We need Mike McNickel to continue feeding
to the school. And to be honest, this is one of the first times I've seen schools in other communities, and I'm going to just say it straight up that you're talking about closing or redoing. It's always been in the black community.
Always. And I'm just telling you, I feel a little better. Now, I want you to keep me feeling better cuz I want you to go on and do the right thing because if you don't keep me feeling better, then I'm going to have to come back and we going to have to talk about
it. But listen, I really appreciate it. I'm going to tell you for a fact, as long as we keep up. See, what you got to realize is you're in one district, you're in one, you're in one, you in one, but every kid in Brower County is in your district. So if your district is
doing good, send some of your money and your needs over to the other and help the other community. And for years past, we were not getting that with the school board members. They only took care of their schools and their community. I got four kids. I never neglected one kid.
They might not have got what they wanted at the same time, but I didn't connect them. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. Oh, I'm sorry. It's afternoon. Okay, I agree. Um, good morning. Good afternoon,
board members, superintendent, madame chair. U, my name is Cunia Gordon. I am an alumnest of Halanda High School and also McNickel and I'm a proud member of the girls basketball team who bought the
first championship here in Broward County. Two years. two years back to back we brought that here at little old Halendelle. That's what we brought. I'm here to read I'm here to support the redefining of
Hallland Magnet High School. Similar to the Pompo model as a community leader, I'm supportive of this decision. We are asking the district though to please come with resources and finances. I
graduated in 1978 and some of the school the surrounding of the schools still look the same. We're talking about 47 years. Some of those areas in the school are still looking the same. So, we want you
to please come and do the redefining, but we want you to level up. We want you to bring resources, bring finances, upgrade the fields, upgrade the students so that when they're able to go to another school, they feel proud about
Halinder High School. And right now, we can't really say that. Administration can't really say that. The principal really can't say that. And so I'm asking you to please to please reconsider
in helping the resources for Helena High School to be better. We want the redefining, but we want you to also make sure that money comes and resources comes with that. Our community visualizes
partnerships with local businesses and industries for students that will make their life skills as they leave middle school, as they leave high school to be more than what they can accept here in our community. Please make sure that we
prepare our students for the next generation. We're talking about leaders, leaders and industries that are here in our community. We have production production in our in our high schools that we can partner up with local stations here in the
community. We have a film industry. I don't even think that Broward County has even thought about that. Let's help our students become more inclined of what is coming up with even with AI, computer information systems. Let's prepare our
students for the next generation, the next generation of science and technology. Schoolboard members, we want that redefined, but we want you to also bring finances when the Helinder High is in the way of becoming redefined. Thank you
so much. Thank you, Pastor Sanders, and then Janette Luciano, and then Commissioner Lori Lu Allen. Good afternoon um madame vice chair and the board and to superintendent uh let me also applaud the work that Dr.
Wanza and the team has done. So I'm going to take my time to talk about building bridges uh for our students future. Uh over the last few months, we've come together with our with our local mayors, with business leaders, community
leaders, principles, and students to form one message, to strengthen, not separate, to redesign, not retire. Our schools, Halenale High and McNickel
Middle, are pillars of our community. Each plays a distinct yet connected role in preparing our students not only for graduation but also for life. Over this past month, we've had discussions that
are focused on partnership, redesign, and revolence. The truth is clear. These schools can and must work hand in hand to create a clear community centered educational
pipeline. McNickel Middle builds the foundation and Hallanddale High advances it. Both schools deserve emphasis on targeted investment,
quality staffing, and strategic marketing. They need unified support, not symbolic gestures. Haha is actively engaged in redesign efforts focused on
magnet style pathways in aviation, broadcasting, robotics, and culinary arts. And McNichols serves as a feeder to those programs ensuring and enhancing a continuity in
aviation EMT STEM focus pro pro STEM focused programs. I want to talk about one key point that Mr. Sparks brought up because we understand that education and
vocational programs are vital. But if we really are going to redefine the schools, there's a third part and that's the athletic. If we are really collectively going to
do this, we need visible, verifiable, undeniable evidence because all we've been getting is the promise, but the check didn't cash. So, what we're saying, we're not
asking for promises, we're asking for a real partnership. And thank you for your time. Thank you so much, Janette Luciano. Good afternoon everybody. As parents, it is our responsibility to think about our children's future and
ensure they have access to the best possible pos opportunities to succeed in life. Brower County Public Schools shares that responsibility and that's why I'm here today. I am a parent of a child with autism and I stand before you to advocate for something we desperately need in our community. A district-
managed charter school in Broward County specifically dedicated to serving students with autism. Modeled after Miami date South Florida autism charter school, SFAX has become a beacon of hope for families like mine, it provides specialized, innovative educational and
behavioral support tailored to the unique needs of neurode divergent students. Yet, this type of school does not exist in Broward. Our children are being left behind because of it. Here in Broward, we lack a dedicated learning environment where children with autism can receive the structured understanding
and individualized support they need to thrive. Not just academically, socially, but socially and emotionally. We are asking the Broward County Public School System to take action to create a school where our children aren't forced to fit into systems that
weren't designed for them, but instead are placed in a setting built specifically for them. A school that would empower them to grow, learn, and lead fulfilling lives. Today, there are countless programs and magnet opportunities within BCPS that are designed to give neurotypical students
clear pathways to success. Our neurode divergent children deserve the same those same opportunities. They deserve betters. Families shouldn't have to cross county lines just to find a school that fits their child's needs. We are asking to um we are asking to build a future where
all students, regardless of their neur neurological differences, are given a chance to to thrive. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Commissioner Lori Llewellyn and then Mayor Felicia Brunson and Mayor Joyce Davis. To the chair. Uh, Miss Cynthia Dominique
had to leave, so she just sent me her notes. Is it okay if I just take the three minutes for her? Um, would you are you on the list to did you register? She is. Okay. We usually The person has to be here to deliver their comments. That's why she said to ask. Thank you.
Thank you. Good afternoon board. We'll try this again. Um, Commissioner Lori Lleweller from the city of Dany Beach. Um, I I appreciate uh Dr. Wanza earlier u mentioning how vocal we have been in the city of Dany Beach and I know that you
are all very much aware of that. I do want to thank you and congratulate you on doing this work and really going out and trying to meet with the cities, meet with the elected officials, meet with the city managers to try to find some solutions to this very large problem. And I do understand that it's a very
large problem and it is countywide. Um, but it's not something that I think is going to simply go away by closing a few schools. Um I am hopeful based upon the latest discussions that Olsen is no longer on the chopping block. Um given
the fact that we have done so much work and we have aligned our our our words with action. We have we are investing millions of dollars into the park next door and trying to do what we can to be good partners with the school board um in order to make sure that our schools
remain. But we were even named as your community partner of the year this past year. And next thing I know, I see that Olsen is back on the list of schools that could potentially be closed.
It's very frustrating for us as a city to see that to do the e to do the work and put the effort in and really try to work with the school board with everybody trying to make this happen for our community. Um, I can only imagine what it's like for our parents and the
students because each year they think their school is safe and then the next thing you know they're seeing an article in the newspaper or hearing something on TV or hearing from their neighbors or hearing from their teachers that their school might be closing.
It's hard. We heard I know we heard one parent here earlier who was very upset about having to move her child, potentially move her child. That's one parent. There are lots of them out there and it's just not healthy for these kids to have to go through this over and over
again. So, we need to not continue this. It it it's going to continue happening. You're going to continue to see less and less enrollment. When you see that schools are being put up there as the, you know, potentially being closed, it makes parents
move their children to other schools. So, then those same schools continue to decrease their enrollment. So, we need to fix that problem and stop this vicious circle that keeps happening. Um, something else I just want to suggest to you, I know you are trying to develop these partnerships with the cities and I do appreciate that and I think it's the
best thing that you can do because your cities out here really care about these kids and really care about their schools and they want to make sure that that they thrive. I've heard a lot of success stories here today. I've heard a lot of really positive things that are going on
in our schools. I would love to see the schools partner with the cities to celebrate those to celebrate those successes, advertise them, market them, brand them, and then maybe you'll get more students who want to enroll in
Broward County Public Schools. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you, Mayor Felicia Brunson. Good afternoon, chair, board, and superintendent. I am Felicia Brunson, mayor from the beautiful city of West Park and glad to be here with you be
today. Um I also want to thank um our very own Valerie Wanza and all of the hard work that she has done through this process. West Park's own. Just had to throw that in. I I stand
before you today um to talk about redefining for West Park. Growing up in the city of West Park, our students, including myself, have had the opportunity to go
to schools pretty much all over the county. But there are some particular schools that if you are from the city of West Park or if you are from South County, you know that those are your schools. Whether you went to them or
not, you supported those schools. And so those schools are Watkins, Ne McNickel, and Hallland High. Again, the unique thing about the city of West Park, our students go everywhere, but we have a large percentage of students that do attend
all of those schools. So, I am asking for you to redefine those schools because for generations, you know, schools were simply defined as a place where children came to read, to
write, to learn. But today, education is far more. It means much more than just that. In this everchanging world, we have to redefine what a school truly is to keep
up with the world. And so, we recognize that it's not just a building, but it's a living, breathing part of our community. And so, if we want our children to thrive, we have to be able to move with the times to ensure that
they are thriving. We understand that education is the anchor of stability and identity in a community. Our school is the heartbeat of our community, particularly in West Park. Um, everybody
is family and you support family except during times when we play against each other. But other than that, um, we have memories, we have milestones. My parents went to these schools. My family, my aunts, my uncles, everyone, we all went
to these schools. So, we support these schools. We want them to remain within our community because it preserves that sense of identity and that sense of pride. Um, anything else would disrupt
that connection and weaken our community's collective strength. So schools carry legacies. So we ask you to allow us to continue that legacy and redefine our schools. Thank you. Thank you. So we have Mayor Joyce Davis
and then we have city manager David Lynch and Felicia Schuman coming up. Good afternoon school board superintendent. Uh especially want to give a great thank
you to Dr. Wanza as well and our school board member Mora Bowman. Um, I'm coming to you not just as the mayor of the city of Dana Beach, but 20 years ago in 2005, I came here to start my career as a
Broward County Public Schools teacher. And so you all know that are who are in the field of education. Once an educator, always an educator. That will always be my perspective when looking at our community and leading our community.
But what I will tell you is that I'm listening to my colleague and in listening to uh the parents and to our communities as we have been through this process not once but twice. Uh that our awesome Olsen Middle School is now on
this redefining school list. Uh I was a middle school 8th grade language arts teacher and I know how pivotal that age group is. And so we have built a family, not just a community, but a family in
the city of Dana Beach. We have invested more in our school system uh in in Broward County Public Schools financially, emotionally, and with our partnerships. We are there's in what I want to do is tell you a quick story from a teacher's perspective though and
I'm going off my script here but three years ago uh our awesome Olsen Middle School students came to the city of Dana Beach and they sat and they had a line just like this and they spoke to us as the city commission. We had a 7 acre
property that was adjacent to Olsen Middle School. And we asked our students, "What is it that you would like to see in this 7 acre property?" And they had two different teams. They gave their ideas. They proposed. They argued. They had powerpoints. They
showed us that they wanted a community center. They wanted track and fields. And I will tell you that in this 8 million park, their ideas have come to fruition. what they have done, what they have planned, what they have invested in
is now becoming a reality in the city of Dana Beach. And that's what it's about. Realw world education. I see Lorie Cerillo here from uh JA. And that is what that is the future of education. When children can plan and and see their
visions come to life, that is when we make a difference. We are making a difference in the city of Dana Beach. And we would like for you to look at us as the example to lead the partnerships between cities and the school board moving forward. We are the municipal
partner of the year. Thank you. Thank you, city manager David Lynch. And then we have Felicia Schuman and Don Goldstein. Yeah. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, uh, superintendent, board members, staff, and the rest of our audience. My name is Dave Lynch. I'm the city manager in Pemroke Park and we've had a lot of
municipal officials come up to the plat the deis today and talk about how important these schools are in our town. We're a small town and Watkins and Lake Forest are an essential part of our local economy, our culture and providing vitality to our community. We've gotten
a lot of support from Mora Bowman and we thank her for the support in our community. But long before some of these currents came forward, uh our commission committed itself to be a strong municipal partner with the schools. I'm going to talk about just a couple of those things. Uh one is that one of our
commissioners brought forward the commission unanimous unanimously supported a financial literacy program which our town created as part of municipal government. The kids go from the elementary school over to our town hall where we've assembled bankers and
they teach the kids financial literacy. And here's the cherry. On the Sunday, when the kids finish that class, our local government, our town government gives them a $100 bank account. One of our local um local financial institutions. These kids open their
eyes. They turn their mom and dad and they think about what their life's going to be like as they manage that $100 into maybe something even grander. Secondly, before all this came down of this level of concern, our mayor Jeff Jacobs
sponsored a measure which was unanimously supported by our commission to do something that no other town in Broward County has done. when the school lunch program present itself one that was underfunded and therefore some kids wouldn't have fully paid for free
lunches. Our town is writing a $100,000 check every year to subsidize that lunch program so that no kid in our town at Lake Forest or over at our um Watkins Elementary School has to pay anything
for lunch. Last I wanted to mention is something that was up on the board and strategies. One of the things that was listed was the idea of our town having an interest in some kind of community program. Our commission is fully committed. We want to open up a senior citizen program and I've already been
through the wing over at at Watkins. It's absolutely perfect. We don't have a senior program yet. I think we're about to with your help. And believe me, our committee is committed to the schools and we appreciate the hard work you've been doing and all the municipal
officials. We join together to encourage you to recognize how these municipal governments are committed to making these schools thrive. We're only as good as our schools and we want to keep them strong. Thank you so much. Thank you, Felicia Schuman and Don
Goldstein. Good afternoon, Dr. Hburn and esteemed board leaders. My name is Felicia Schuman. I'm from Coconut Creek, Florida. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today regarding redefining phase two and
the feedback from our community conversations. As the district consider potential school closures, I urge you to make these decisions with the utmost care and deliberation. Schools are more than just buildings.
They are the heart of our communities. They provide stability, educational opportunities, and social support for students and families. Closing a school without fully considering its impact can disrupt neighborhoods,
increase travel burdens, and fragment community cohesion. Community feedback shows that many schools offer specialized programs such as STEM, dual language, and Cambridge curriculum which must be preserved are
thoughtfully relocated to ensure equitable access for all students. Enrollment data and facility condition in Dices should guide decisions, but the social and educational impact cannot be
overlooked. I respectfully ask the board to carefully weigh these factors, prioritize equity and community needs, and ensure that any changes strengthen rather than weaken our schools and
neighborhoods. Thoughtful, deliberate actions now will benefit students and family for years to come. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you. We have Don Goldstein, then
Dr. Anthony Sanders, and Katrice Johnson. Hi, good afternoon. I just wanted to share this sweet picture. I'm a little biased, but I'd like you to meet this little seven-year-old boy. This is my son, Langden. He also um he's in second
grade at the Broward County Public School, uh Parkside Elementary. Also happens to be non-verbal autistic. So, I am here as his mother and advocate for him and what he needs. Um, so good afternoon. My name is Don Goldstein and I'm the mother of a
seven-year-old non-verbal autistic boy named Langden. He's in second grade at Broward County Public School System, but he's working at a pre kindergarten level, not because of his ability, but because the system simply lacks the training, resources, and specialized
programs to meet his needs. Right now, his classroom has become more of a babysitting environment than a place of learning. And the educational gap is widening each year. Langden deserves so much more. And under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, he has the right to a free and appropriate
education tailored to his needs. In Miami Dade and Palm Beach counties, South Florida Autism Charter School has proven that a specialized district managed charter model works and it changes lives. Families here in Broward, especially around Coral Springs, desperately need the same opportunity as
none currently exist. A district- managed charter hold on. A district managed charter school for autism would give children like Langden access to education, therapies, and individualized attention they deserve so they can grow, learn,
and reach their full potential. Broward County must replicate this model here to ensure the equitable, evidence-based education for our children as guaranteed under the ADA. Our kids deserve more than excuses. They deserve opportunity, dignity, respect,
and a school that truly works for them. Please help make that a reality. Thank you for considering this urgent need for our community's most vulnerable and extraordinary children. I implore you to shadow our children for a day in the life of the public school system to get an inkling of what we deal
with as families and parents and advoc and that what we have to advocate for on a daily basis and what is sorely lacking. We wouldn't be asking for a charter school and our and alternatives if the public school system was providing the appropriate resources and education to our ESC community. Thank
you for your time. Thank you Dr. Anthony Sanders. spoken Katrice Johnson and then we'll have uh Teresa Johnson and Mary Ferdig. Hello
to Dr. Hellburn, school members, Dr. Wanza and the redefining right sizing team. My name is Krice Renee Johnson. I'm a community organizer with Faith in Florida.
I am a proud product of the Broward County Schools and a very proud graduate of Hollandale High School. I would say the year, but I'm go ahead
and in the right sizing and redefining of the current endeavor. I am here today on behalf of district 1, particularly Hollandale High School and McNichol Middle School where there is
great innovative learning in learning experience in process in progress even today. In recent visits and tours, I was able to personally experience and witness the
improvements and excellence of these two schools. I was even even able to fly a simulation plane where I'm waiting on my wings and if anybody want to ride
just come and see me after this. Um, but I was able to um have that experience at McNickl Middle School in their aerospace technology program. These two schools are intricate part of
our neighborhood schools, families, and community. I know that strong the strong impact and value of having quality educational opportunities in our own community and I
stress in our own community as a part of the redefining process. I highly favor and support the full magnet high school operating high school operating on a 4 day week
schedule using the framework model of Pompo Beach. In order to give Hollandale High equal fighting chance of survival, it needs to start with upgrades and investment of
money and budget priorities in facility conditions and infrastructure. To be fair, to be fair, this school needs immediate attention.
There has been no upgrades in Hollanddale High School since it since its inception in 1973. Let me let that rest right there. And I hear the buzzer. I just want to end with
this question right here. Is there anything good that could come out of Hollandale, the city of Hollandale? Here I am. Thank you so much, Teresa Johnson, Mary Ferdig, and then we have city
manager Mark Lubski, Aaron Gaul, and Dr. Bernard Jennings up. Um, is it possible for me to switch with Nicole Morse? She has to leave and I'm planning to stay. So, go ahead, Nicole. Can we switch? Am
I up now? Yes. Okay. Nicole Morris, Coral Springs. Um, I just have a quick suggestion. Looking at how this has been done the last two years, I think it would make sense if we did regional approaches where in the Northwest you just did one sweeping change, Southwest
one sweeping change rather than spot checking. Last year it was Coconut Creek Elementary. This year that feeds into Margate. Now Margate Center enrolled. Now next year is going to be Coral Springs High School because all of these changes are these are feeder schools into Coral Springs High School. They're at 73% of their capacity. If we just did
one sweeping change in the quadrants. I think that would be less heartburn for everyone. Um last month it was mentioned that the C4 boundary choice proposal could not go to community conversations because it was not advertised on the flyer as a potential proposal. So, imagine our surprise when we got to
Coral Springs High to find out that Lion's Creek had been added to the conversation. There was no one there to speak for Lion's Creek. We hadn't come with any information on Lion's Creek. Since then, I've looked at the the feeders for for Lions Creek. You're
going to take Forest Glenn that has a 100% feeder pattern to Coral Springs High School and you're going to split them between Lions Creek and Coral Springs Middle School. Coral Springs Middle School feeds into Coral Glaze and Coral Springs High. And then Lion Creek feeds into Monarch. So now they're going to have a four-way split feeder pattern.
This just I it doesn't make sense to me. Um Coral Springs Elementary. I've been talking about Coral Springs Elementary since last year. They are the most underenrolled school in the district. We were told at the regional meeting we weren't going to talk about Coral Springs Elementary, but now it's on on a
list. So tell us what you're going to do. Um they could easily combine with Parkside. The capacity is there. um wearing purple for my friends um today who were here to support an autism um charter school inside Coral Springs Middle School. They would much rather
have that school has spoken. They would much rather have an autism charter or or something similar inside the school rather than giving them another five or six hundred kids. We just had major disruptions with behavior there last year. Coral Springs PD was out there every single afternoon because they
couldn't manage dismissal. So, giving them another 500 middle school kids doesn't seem like a good answer. Um, on September 24th, the city of Coral Springs sent an email to um to the board and the superintendent requesting that a
um clear process and timeline for creating a boundary choice area for C4 um was established. The um district has said they don't have the desire, staff has said they don't have a desire to get into a turf war with Coral Springs and Parkland. This shouldn't be the case. We're just asking for the seats that
were taken from them two years ago that are now being given away in reassignments to to be given back to establish a choice area. I hope that someone today will will advocate for that because we were told we were but now but now we weren't and I it's
frustrating. Um if we're going to look at a regional approach I just want to mention that we have an overenrolled Westglaze at 115%. You said that Marjgerie Sman Douglas was dangerously overenrolled at 115%. But we're not adding our overenrolled
schools in the conversation. Thank you. Thank you. Um we have city manager Mark Levelski, Erin Gold, Dr. Bernard Jennings. Good afternoon. Mark Levelski, city manager for Sunrise. Uh my comments will be very brief today. Uh first of all, I
do want to thank uh the board and administration staff for their uh communication and their collaboration and transparency uh during this process. Uh the city of Sunrise has a long-standing history of celebrating and uh partnering with our schools here in
Sunrise. Uh most recently uh we've partnered with the school board regarding West Pine Middle uh which is adjacent to our sports flex park. Uh we're going to be investing uh several million dollars into some open space areas, a track, uh an open play, and
also some pickle ball that'll be a shared use between Westpine and the city of Sunrise. Uh when we heard about the the consideration of the school closures in Sunrise, we had we did some tours of both West Westpine and also Bear and we
do believe that there is an opportunity for the city to further partner uh with the school board to take over some of that space for community programming. So my my message here today is that we're here to partner, expand our relationship, and hopefully work with you to take over some spaces at one or
both of those schools. Thank you. Thank you, Erin Go. Thank you. Um, I am so pleased to see this room so full today. Uh, this redefining process is so critical for our district and in order for it to be successful, it is vital to have many
deep and at times hard communitydriven conversations. There are some proposals in the presentation that grew out of this kind of community effort. I have been lucky to experience the excitement building within the school communities around the sports academy at Bennett
Sunrise and Fort Lauderdale High. Similarly, it has been inspiring to see the enthusiasm at Stranahan High School for the proposed maritime trades and culinary programs. These kinds of ideas rooted in innovation and directly
aligned with community needs and local workforce demand are exactly the kinds of programs that will thrive and remain relevant for years to come. As you make decisions throughout the redefining process, I urge you to not only think about the immediate logistics and
variables, but also about the cascading impacts these choices will have on communities and other surrounding schools. I also ask that you look beyond grade reconfigurations and focus on building programs that define a school's future, not just their structure. The
programs that succeed are the ones that tap into authentic local excitement and resources. And we see some of that here today. They meet real needs and are marketed in a way that genuinely reflects the value. Not just a glossy flyer, but marketing that highlights the
voices of the students and staff who are having these positive experiences. And we saw some of that at these community meetings. Utilize these student and staff ambassadors of these programs. And finally, please continue to find ways to engage commun communities meaningfully
throughout the process, especially as we move from ideas to implementation. We know and recognize that you are going to have to make hard decisions. The district should continue current and add more avenues for information sharing and gathering. If redefining is to result in
parents selecting BCPS above all of the expanding choices we are seeing, this is so critical. Please, please find ways to make the community part of the path forward. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Bernard Jennings. Then we
have David Senia Parga and Samuel Smith. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the board. Thank you especially uh Miss Rebecca Thompson and the superintendent. I wear I come here today with a couple hats. I'm the initiator of the Good Dad
Act, a historic legislation in Florida that gives fathers equal rights to their children, as well as the author of Ethan's Good Dad Act, a book named after my son Ethan here. Hello. as well. I'm vice chairman of the Florida Memorial University Board of
Trustees. I'm a proud parent of a fifth grade student at Pines Lakes Elementary School, Ethan. I'm a member of the school's PTA, and I come before you today not only as a parent, but also as an advocate for students, teachers, and
staff whose voices too often go unheard. Pines Lakes Elementary is more than just a school. It's a neighborhood anchor. is where families gather, where children discover their potential, where parents and educators come together to invest in the future to build a stability and
equity and opportunity for the community. Closing this school or cutting its dedicated staff and administration would unravel the fabric of community support that has taken generations to weave. We have some uh staff that have actually went to elementary school there and have been
20-year employees at the school. Let me be clear. Pines Lakes is not a failing school. In fact, it shows academic stabilization, strong PTA engagement, and readiness. Our parents are financially committed. Our community is deeply involved, and the school's
facilities remain strong and adaptable for innovative programs like STEM track, dual language immersion that can drive enrollment in the future. Now, compare this to Palm Cove Elementary, which faces ATSI designation, federal
oversight, and targeted readiness interventions. Due to systemic deficiencies, Pines Lakes, by contrast, has not been flagged for these issues, it has proven as the base for growth and revitalization, if only given the chance. Board members, we all know that
education is about more than numbers on a spreadsheet. It's about children. It's about families and the moral obligation to have a support of communities that are fighting for their schools. The parents, students, and staff, some of the other parents are here that I'm not
sure if they're speaking today of Pine Lakes Elementary have already shown our willingness to invest their time, money, and energy. What they need now is your commitment to stand with them. Today, I ask you to reject any plan that would close Pines Lakes Elementary or
terminate its dedicated educators and administrators. Instead, I urge you to seize this moment to revitalize it as a model of communitydriven success in Broward County. Thank you for your time, for your leadership, and ensuring Pines Lakes remains not just a relic, but a
revitalized cornerstone of educational ex excellence for our children and our future. And I'm not sure if I can yield my last two minutes to my son. Nope, we don't have two minutes. We love to hear student voices. Go ahead, David.
All right. Thank you. Yes. Uh my name is David Sanchio Parka. I'm a father of four children who've gone through the Baron County school system. Three of which are autistic spectrum. The oldest of the autistic kids, by the way, is at UF getting her doctorate in chemistry,
which is why I thought it was important that I remember mention there are five people who have gotten up so far to pitch a new charter school. And I think that's ridiculous. 27% of schools in Bar County are charter. They have over 10,000 students enrolled in charter
schools here, which is the amount that we're missing from our schools this year. Okay? And in the next several years, Barry County is going to be paying those charter schools an additional hundred million dollar plus that they say they need in addition to the referendum that we voted on a few
years ago. Hundred million plus. We don't need more charter schools. And it enrages me that there's so many people getting up here trying to pitch that, especially because the supposed need for it is one that I never saw with all of my autistic children.
And I wanted to also ask with what we're talking about here with Walter. Young Middle School, which is where I went to middle school, we're talking about closing it. And one of the options that they offered was if I understand correctly, demolishing it and building new housing. And I'm not sure I
understand the logic in considering that as a possibility. If we're going to demolish the school to build housing to bring more people in when we're demolishing the school because we don't have enough people to keep the school open. So, when we bring people in with that housing, where are they going to go
to school? Are we going to build a new school after that? It doesn't make any sense to me. I really loved hearing all these communities say that they want to pitch in and help out with all these schools. I think that's great. But then I hear them saying, "Well, we're going
to use these facilities to do things like new senior centers and new community centers and things like that." They're going to pay for that. They're going to pay the schools for that. if I'm understanding that correctly. And my thought is if they can pay for these facilities, can they not pay to help
keep the schools in their original function? I don't understand how some of these ideas are working, but I feel like we're, as has been said by some of the commissioners here, we're kicking a can down the road. We're going to have to keep closing schools unless we address
the real issue, which is that we're not fulfilling the needs that the schools have right now. We're not giving them the support they need. We're not standing up for them. We're capitulating to charter schools. We're capitulating
to uh a lack of funding that we're not fighting for. and when we should be fighting for the schools and what they need and what they've been begging for with all these people that have gotten up here. Thank you.
Thank you. Samuel Smith, then Rene Leon, Christine Williamson. Good afternoon, board. Good afternoon, um, Broward County Public Schools. My name is Sam Smith. I have a sixth grader
at Coral Springs Middle School. I have two kids at Country Hills Elementary School and um Renea, my wife, had to go pick up the children so she couldn't be here to speak as well. But I'm here to um
express my disagreement with reszoning of Coral Springs Middle School and Forest Glenn Middle School. Um, education for parents, I know for myself and my and and our family is first. We
have education is is is number one. It's the number one thing. And um I'll just say that um Coral Springs Middle School and all schools should focus should for um redefining our schools should be on
expansion and educational excellence. and and that's not what is in the proposal for Coral Springs Middle School and Forest Glenn. Um not regression and degradation
of taking students and stuffing them and God bless them. and they were at the Coral Springs High School. And um I think we all expressed our satisfaction with the education at both of our our schools. And um and I don't think it
would be good for any either community to to stuff these kids into in a Coral Springs Middle. Um so the proposal for reszoning Forest Glenn Middle and Coral Springs Middle does not it it does just what what I
spoke to before. it it's regression and degradation. It's not progress and and focused on excellence. Um there's 25 plus kids in these in these classrooms at Coral Springs Middle School. Um crowd control as was
mentioned earlier uh is was a problem um last year. They you know we have police there. Um, but we have a terrific team of educators, a terrific team of of teachers, our our
principal, Mrs. S. Uh, the in in conjunction with the the the parents that are are there working with them. Um they they're focused on excellence and so uh Coral Springs Middle has has a
great team and they're focused on e educational excellence and and this wouldn't do anything for for the school. It would it would actually degrade the school. It would be sad. It would be a sad thing. Um reszoning would would would not would not would break up the
community. It would it would bring the kids from it would bring the kids from Forest Glenn into there and it it would just wouldn't be right. Give me a couple minutes. Um um I I would like to say that um Coral
Springs Middle is getting better. As I said, the team of of of educators and and and the leaders and and teachers are working together to to make it this opportunity. High achieving educational opportunity and excellence is a community need and a societal need, not
only an individual need. Thank you so much, sir. Thank you. Focusing on bettering our schools and making improvements to schools like Coral Springs Middle. Thank you, sir. Your time is up. Thank you so much. Next up, we have Christine Williamson
and then Noel Spence and then Michael Owen and Jackie Luskam. Go ahead, Mayor. My turn. Yes. Good afternoon. Uh, I want to say the fire chief, uh, Chief Golden wanted to be here, uh, but he had a family
emergency. Uh, you do have Deputy Chief Basic here who is taller and has a pretty killer mustache as well. So, that's pretty good. I want to say thank you for the work you all have done and the leadership you've shown throughout this process. The
decisions presented today are not easy, but they reflect a commitment to doing what's necessary and best in the long run for our students, our educators, and our community as a whole. As a Broward County Public Schools parent, my two daughters and their cousins are the third generation in our family to attend
BCPS. Flying L's, class of 2000. No big deal. I'm personally invested in the continued strength of our schools. In my professional role, I serve as an assistant chief with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, overseeing the training bureau and special projects. It's in
that capacity that I stand before you today with a deep sense of gratitude and optimism for what this next chapter represents. The opportunity to partner with Brown County Public Schools on the Seagull School property at 425 Southwest 28th Street is truly transformational. This collaboration between the school
district and the city of Fort Lauderdale will create a public safety training facility that serves not just our city but the entire region. The Seagull site is exceptionally well suited for this purpose. Located in a primarily commercial area, close to fire station 3
and easily accessible for training operations. Its proximity allows our units to remain close to their response areas, reducing out of service times and improving citywide fire and EMS coverage. This facility will allow us to move beyond temporary solutions to a modern, fully equipped campus that
supports firefighter EMS and police training under one roof. It offers classrooms, offices, and indoor spaces that will enable us to provide consistent, high-quality instruction in everything from AIdriven EMS simulation labs to live fire, search and rescue,
trauma care, and advanced medical courses. It could one day serve as a permanent home for public education programs in CPR, AED use, and first aid, along with growing youth engagement initiatives like our explorer programs for high school kids. To put it in the
simplest terms though, this partnership and facility will make us better at saving lives. Beyond its operational benefits, this facility will strengthen our regional partnerships. It'll allow us to host multi- agency training exercises, enhancing collaboration across jurisdictions.
And with firefighters and police officers training daily on site, local businesses will feel a positive ripple effect. And yes, we'll be sure to keep the nearby restaurants busy. Firefighters do love to eat. What makes this moment so meaningful is that it continues the seagull school's
leg legacy of public service. This property was built with public funds to serve the public and through this partnership, it will keep doing exactly that. On behalf of the city of Fort Lauderdale and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, I want to express our commitment to this partnership. We're ready to roll up our sleeves and work side by side
with you to bring this vision to life for the greater good of the community we all serve. Thank you. Thank you, Jackie Luskam, Renee Silva, and Mary Restrepo. Thank you, Jackie Luskam. Um, and first of all, as chair of ESC advisory, I just
want to be clear what a district managed charter model is very different to um a regular model, and I don't want anybody to feel that their um what they've called for today is disrespected or misunderstood. Um I want to urge you to take seriously the appeals from the
parents of students with disabilities who came here to consider um a district- managed autism charter um and some specifically named which operator. Um, I know the district is also considering a BCPSR run autism school and I think it
would be wise to do sidebyside comparisons, not for there to have already been decisions made, choices taken, um, and um, and uh, entrenched attitudes. I think it's really important that these parents have you consider
fairly and fully what they're asking for. Um, the concerns they've voiced also speak loudly. It's not necessarily because there's a this is something um that they wanted to have to do, but also the reasons that they are looking at not
wanting a BCPS school. I think it's important. Also, I want to appeal for you to be mindful of how students with disabilities are even being spoken about in this process. on the redefining schools information sheets that were spread across tables in in uh at the redefining eight community meetings.
There was a space on each sheet for programs. Not a single one that I saw listed ESSE programs. Um also the information on this presentation here um referred to preK students, out of boundary students, magnet students,
students attending charters and students attending other BCPS campuses. when but when it came to any numeric around ESSE the figure given for each school was just the number of ESSE classes these students cannot be spoken about as collective classes they should be being
spoken about individually and I'm so disappointed to not see that number up on the list too for each school in in considering a district- managed autism charter there are some myths to bust it's a school of choice it's not for parents who want it's for parents who
want their children there 96 of whom currently commute to Miami Dade every day. It is parent founded and parentgoed. It is uh not the usual charter setup of a fox guarding the hen house and having zero accountability. It would be
collaborative not predatory. Please explore it. Please also consider other um Nicole Morst mentioned re regionalization of this propo of this process and I think there are other um disabilities to look at too. For
example, you have um centers for um deaf and heart of hearing students where kids are having to sit on a bus for an hour and a half to two hours a day to get to the one and only center that you provide. There's a lot to um to pass here and I really just want to appeal for when you have a partner that is
potentially reaching out um for partnership with you, please do not snub them, but entertain them and give these parents the consideration they need. Thank you. Thank you. Renee Silva, Mary Steppp, Mary Restrepo, and Nicole Marie Nunees. Good afternoon. My name is Noel Spence.
Um I'm currently the Izzone representative for the stu uh school advisory committee committee uh for McNickel Middle as well as the parent rep for their feeder school, Cobert Elementary. Today I'm here to talk to you about McNickel Middle, of course.
Um, just to start, as we all know, McNichol is the feeder school for Halenale High. Um, I know it was up for consideration, possibly closing. Who knows? I'm happy, we're all happy to see that we've
reconsidered that idea and come to an agreement um as far as recommending that we redefine by strengthening our current programming and allowing district and maybe city offices to come and utilize
our school property. Uh, I just want to urge you guys to provide the resources and the money to help us strengthen these programs because the problem at McNickel is not that we don't already have great problems in existence. It's that people don't know about it. We need
to put more money into stronger marketing efforts so that other parents and people in our communities know about the programs available to them. For instance, at McNickel, we have an aviation and aerospace technology program. We also have an engineering
technology program and a robotics technology program. In those three programs, we have state-of-the-art top-of-the-line innovative technology. The same programs, the same tools that they're using on university and college campuses across the country. Our middle
schoolers have access to those same tools in their classrooms at McNickel. that is not something that you see anywhere else in Broward County. Furthermore, the high school that we feed into, which is Howlandale High School, will be implementing and starting their um aviation and
aeronautics program next year. So, this will provide an a continuation of the education that our students are receiving at McNickel so that they can continue on that pathway of learning about aviation, space, aeronautics, engineering, and other STEM programs. I
also want to remind you that we're not just here to fight for our middle schoolers of today, but also our middle schoolers of tomorrow. Not only am I a mother of two middle schoolers at McNickel Middle, I'm also the mother of an elementary schooler at Cobert
Elementary. She's currently in the STEM magnet program there. She is building robots. She's coding web pages, doing things that most 9-year-olds would never even think of doing or even imagine doing. Where is she going to go if
McNichol changes their program programming or is redefined um to offer a different program? Where will she go? She wants to continue with robotics. She wants to continue with engineering and so do the other children. Let's keep these programs in our community so our children can
continue on these pathways. Thank you so much. Thank you, Noah. We had you earlier, so thank you for coming, Renee Silva. Madame vice chair, members of the board, Mr.
Superintendent, Dr. Wansa, community members and stakeholders as you continue to work hard to crack the redefining nut. I would like for you to consider the following. No Coral
Springs schools should close. Lions Creek Middle School was not planned to be part of the conversation for September 30th, so it should not be considered as an option. Closing Forest Glenn will gravely affect
the feeder pattern to Coral Springs High School. Currently, it feeds 100% of its students to Coral Springs High School and it will make a logistical mess at Coral Springs Middle School. Also, children's friends will be scattered
over three or four high schools at a time when making and maintaining relationships is vital for the development or of their social skills. The community has been told time and
time again that theater patterns and keeping communities and neighborhoods together is sacroscent. Let's not change that now. West Glades is at 115% of capacity while the neighboring Coral
Springs Middle School um could use some students. They both have or share a feeder pattern to uh MSD. Why not share some students with Coral Springs Middle School? Have you considered this?
Cororus Springs Middle School can also be leveraged to create an opportunity for autistic children to have a campus dedicated to their development. Similar models um have been successful in Palm Beach and Date counties and they
seem to have high impact and high value for the community. Regarding the boundary choice area for the families that got resone during Z4, I'm going to say the quiet part out
loud. MSD has empty seats and it's currently enrolling students from the C4 area. I know this because I have spoken with several neighbors who within a year after the resoning got the students,
their children enrolled in the school. Let us have boundary choice. School closures should be the last resort. Let's talk about redefining the board. Let's talk about uh
let's talk about finding resources for teachers and students uh and avoid additional cost on contracts which can help us resource the schools. Thank you. Thank you. So, I've called Mary Restrepo, Nicole Marie Nunees, and then
Mary Ferdig, Gary Johnson, and Lorie Salerulo are the last on my list. So, if you've heard your name called, please approach the podium. Go ahead, Miss Verdig. Thank you for giving us this opportunity
to meet as communities and discuss the future of our schools. As a longtime supporter of public education in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, it has been inspiring to see members of our neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale and schools uh communities as well as alumni
come forward to discuss how to address declining enrollment at Bennett Elementary. For several years, we've discussed a sports academy um on this site for reasons which we've pro previously articulated. This program would continue in our feeder pattern. We've come before you at least twice to
discuss this. So, I'm going to not uh speak on that as much, but I am going to go to Stranahan High School. Stranahan High School sits on property donated by Broward's first school teacher, Ivy Stranahan, in memory of her husband, Frank Stranahan, the father of Fort
Lauderdale, who ran a ferry on the river. In honor of Frank Stran and all of those in our community in marine industries, uh we have reached out to marine industries association of South Florida
to um discuss creating a unique maritime industries program at Stranahan. I say unique because we don't intend to compete with South Broward High School. Maritime Industries are an 18.5 billion
dollar business in the uh they have an 18.5 billion regional impact. I'm reading off their web page. 121,000 jobs in Broward County. Um and a $9.9 billion impact in Broward County. And I could go
on and on, but you get the idea here. This is a big industry. There are many different things that can be taught and many different courses and pathways and we are um looking we are excited to be able to create something unique that
will actually help children to graduate and get jobs well-paying jobs and support our local industries. uh when we were at Strandahan. Since I have a few minutes, let me tell you, this district owes Stranahan High School a huge marketing campaign and you owe them that
because if you look at what happened with what you talked about during the um bond program to sell that smart bond, you will see the decline in Stranahan. And I just thank you for everything you did through that program. But you owe
you owe Stranahan a huge marketing and we saw how you can do that because the students of Stranahan came to the meeting and they spoke and there wasn't one of us that didn't look at each other and say, you know what, put those students up on TV and everybody's going to want to send their kids here. I'm
almost out of time. So finally I want to suggest that as I look in I community and others you strongly you analyze data before putting any programs in which are going to draw students from underenrolled middle and elementary schools. Um at least one of your proposals
uh proposes a K through eight in a community where surrounding elementary and middle schools are underenrolled and then they'll be back to you next year. So thank you so much. Thank you Lori Cerello. Good afternoon everyone. Lori Salarulo, president and CEO of Junior Achievement
of South Florida. Uh school board members, Dr. Heepburn, uh Dr. Wanza, uh first I want to say thank you. This is hard work. Uh but you have done it with strategic focus uh and most importantly compassion uh and always making sure
that the vision to prepare our kids for the future uh is front and center. Uh so as you know Junior Achievement is uh interested in continuing to build on the work that we have been doing together for many many years decades uh and uh
focusing on the secondary high school students as well as young adults. uh this center uh that we are proposing uh to build uh for you with you for your students for our students uh would encompass a mandate just like Biztown
and Finance Park for elementary and middle school. It would also allow us to expand the pre-apprenticeship which this year put 87 students straight into the pipeline working with your CTE people. We recruited 300 students but we're at
full capacity. Uh it would also allow us to continue to build on the employment program that we've been working with CTE on. This summer we put 315 students into jobs. But again, right, that limitation and capacity of space. Uh continuing to
work together on 3D, but the center uh was wellreceived from what I understand. I could not be there that night, but our chief program officer spoke with many of the parents in that community. uh they were excited about this for their children. They were also interested in
how we could use this center for them and that most excited us because that opens up so many opportunities for collaboration with other organizations who I've already started speaking with. So we might be using it for students during the day but there's opportunities
to serve our community in the evenings and on weekends. So, uh, again, uh, we are committed. We have a donor who has committed $10 million to helping us to build this building. We have several others that we're working with who have already committed, uh, verbally um, if
this should work out. Uh, but the $10 million donation does have a timeline on it. I've shared that with you all. Uh, the donor um, has expressed uh, an urgent uh, desire to make this happen. It's going to be named in her husband's name. uh and she wants this to happen
before she passes away as well. Uh and so uh there is the opportunity uh we are uh thrilled to be able to even sit down and discuss how you might want to also use this center uh to build on. So thank you for the opportunity. We look forward
to partnering continuing to go deep especially for our high school students. This is where it really counts. These kids are unengaged. know that are disengaged and this is the kind of education they're looking for continuing to partner and connect them with
academics and the real world. So thank you. Thank you. That concludes our public speakers. So now we will go to board discussion. Uh first I have Mrs. Alhadaf. Thank you. So first I would like to just give an
overall comment. Thank you so much to everybody that came today and the elected officials. Thank you to Dr. Heppern and Dr. Wz and your team for all of your hard work. I do think that career training programs wherever we can
implement them into our schools is uh something that is very, you know, up and coming and that is something that we should be doing. I am on page 23, a yes to the junior achievement of South Florida on the North Fork Elementary
School site. And I'm going to focus on district 4 and then I'd like to um hear from my colleagues in in your comments in your district as what you believe should
should happen. So, in regards to district 4, so Coral Springs is home to 19 public schools serving more than 18,000 students, the largest in Brower County with 17 rated A schools and the
other schools just a few points away. I'd like to thank the the city of Coral Springs. They have invested significantly in strengthening the learning environments from a new multi-generational facility at Kowanas Park which will benefit Ramblewood
Middle School, upgraded pickle ball courts at Coral Springs Middle School to the recent investment of nearly a 100,000 at Forest Glenn Middle School for renovated tennis courts and new pickle ball courts and added seating. So, thank you so much to the
commissioners of Coral Springs for your collaboration with Broward County Public Schools. So, Forest Glenn Middle School, I'd just like to speak to some of the programs that they currently do have.
They have Cambridge International School, culinary, speech and debate, journalism, yearbook, gardening, chorus, art, Spanish, peer counseling, foundations of web design, PE, leadership, global perspectives. Um, one
of the things that they've had in the past, but is not currently being offered. So, um, my suggestion is going to be adding additional programming to Forest Glenn Middle School. So to bring back the marine science and forensic
science classes as far as bringing that programming back to the school and they've also have hosted Special Olympics for the last five years and they also have a boys and girls
wrestling team who won the middle school championships last year. So, one of the things um also Forest Glenn Middle School and thank you to Dr. Anthony Zoler. He's the chorus director.
He wrote me an email and explained how Forest Glenn has over 300 students enrolled in band and chorus. Their chorus is award middle school coral program in Brower County over the past dozen years. No other school has earned as many superior ratings at music
performance assessment, nor has any school sent as many students to all state. They've performed the national anthem in front of Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Disney World 10 times. And we are they're the only middle school in the in the county to offer a boys chorus
class for returning chorus students. They have four levels of band, including a jazz band for students who take two band periods per day. you know, this obviously is not a school that we're looking to to close.
So, my proposal, my ask to the board is that we go back to the community, have more conversations, look to do more programming at Forest Glenn. You know, maybe we're explore some type of arts magnet program. I know that there's been
a lot of conversations about creating um a autistic run school, whether that's at Coral Springs Middle School, but we need to look at those options, whether it's district run or or charter run, uh but
whatever is going to be more beneficial for Broward County Public Schools. So, one of the things I don't know if staff, Mr. Sulvin, if you were able to print out the the middle school uh number of students, if we can give that
to the board. So, we have 36 middle schools. Out of the 36 middle schools, 19 are underenrolled more than Forest Glenn Middle School. Forest Glenn is at
935 students. So 19 middle schools are are more underenrolled than Forest Glenn Middle School. I think that it's ridiculous that we would even be thinking about potentially closing
Forest Glenn Middle School um when compared to the other middle schools within the district, they are at a higher level than 19 other middle schools. So granted, can we look to add
more programming, more innovation? Absolutely. Yes. Would love to see that. And and so I think my suggestion is to the board is that we go back to the community, have those conversations, and see how we could bring additional
students back to the schools in in Coral Springs to just help to increase that enrollment beyond what it already is. And um I think that there is a tremendous amount of more other middle
schools within the district that we should be be focusing on. That is my questions comments for now. Thank you. Thank you. So to my colleagues um as you give your comments please uh keep in mind uh Miss Alhadaf's
proposal about Forest Glenn. Um Dr. Zean. Thanks, Chair. Um, I got to start with a shout out to my colleague. Great article. Great, great article. And, and what's fascinating about Miss Thompson's
article is just that it points out what's become inevitable for the health of our school system. Uh, as we've mentioned for the past several years, we have more buildings and more campuses than we could possibly afford. And the cost of keeping too many campuses and too many school buildings and too many
facilities of all kind and too much land of all kind is that we're misappropriating our resources to buildings and ground when we need to be spending money on students. And that's what we're doing again today. I just want to add something to Miss Thompson's
article, though. This year we lost 10,000 students in Broward County Public Schools. Mr. Mr. Superintendent, how many elementary schools uh uh is that equivalent to? Go ahead, Dr. Wanza and Mr. Beck.
Um it's approximately 15. Great. In one year, so let's just center our comments on the on what the problem that we have. In one year, we lost the equivalent of 15 elementary schools. Last year, we closed
one school. This year, the superintendent's proposing seven to 10, depending on how you count. Um, I'm going to argue that there's some value in thinking very hard this year about ripping the band-aid off uh and doing more. And I'll explain a little bit more
why. First though, uh, props to everyone involved led by Dr. Wanso with the uh, community meetings. They're the best I've seen. uh best I've seen when we've done DoD repurposing of bases, when
we've done uh other districts having to go through uh some of these similar things and certainly the best that I've seen in Broward County for the past 10 years. Uh we got to a lot of frank and honest discussions with the community about things that mattered and people
were getting more and more realistic about the kinds of things that we need to spend our money on. I also want to thank Miss Paul for the FCI data. It was a lot of work to get the contractor to get that to us. Those 34 schools are going to help us make great decisions. I can't wait to get the balance of that
data, but it's awesome to have that. And then lastly, just in terms of the preamble, I think that there's some value in thinking about two different sets of decisions. One decision is the school boards, which is Dr. Holes and everyone else here has got to sit down and do some hard thinking and say this
is surplus land. This is surplus schools. uh we want to spend our money on the students uh not on the buildings. The second decision is what do we do after we've surplused the lands. I don't think that's the B County school board's decision. I think that's the school board in conjunction with the community
and particularly the cities knowing how much work they put into their planning for all the land and how much they know about development. For the autistic students that have gained so much attention today, welld deserved. I think we need to learn from
Miami Dade and Palm Beach. But I think we need to learn from other districts. There are a lot more districts in the United States than just Palm Beach, Miami date, and Broward. Um, and we need to come up with a really thoughtful data-driven parent involved solution. It may be one central autism school with
autism plus related disabilities. It may be two central, one north and one south, and four different center schools that do it. for the parents who want to send their autistic kids to a school that also has gened. We have to kind of recognize the diversity of thought
amongst the parents and for what works for all students on the spectrum uh not just some students. There's a lot of other things done by the way by this board instead of just closing schools. Programs matter. VR headsets matter. Sportsmies matter.
Buffing up Cambridge matters. making sure that we're delivering the kind of vocational and technical education that that parents and students want. All of those are the kinds of changes that we're getting with Dr. Heepern and this administration. And we ought to think a little bit about that because we are operating with much greater speed and
agility than we ever had and we're responding to what the community and the parents and the students really need and I hope we'll continue that uh going forward. I think that there's other space uh uses that we could think about as well. We have a number of schools even if we
accepted all these recommendations or even that plus all the ones I'm going to suggest uh we're still going to have a lot of schools operating at 60 and 70 and 80% of capacity. I think that opens up an opportunity for us to think about some temporary solutions that can do things in our schools that help us uh
achieve our strategic goals. And that's kind of a a new way to think. In the end though, I think we need to lean in. There are seven to 10 schools on the superintendent's list. That's not enough. If we don't make the decisions we're supposed to be making today, I don't know how much autonomy we're going to
have next year to doing anything with the land that we currently can do lots of things with. I would like to see five or 10 more schools. Some ideas to consider, by the way, in terms of getting to that. I'd love to do some forward-looking demographics,
not backward-looking demographics, not snapshots of today, but in downtown Fort Lauderdale, uh, uh, Mora, in downtown Hollywood, both cities are adding 7,000 units, and we're blowing away the demographic projections because guess what? Families are moving there. But we've got to make
sure that we solve that. That's a lot of kids in in two very concentrated areas. this morning. For those of you that read the Suns Sentinel, uh the Galleria finally came forward with what they're doing. Nine 30story buildings, 1,500 workforce housing units, and another
4,000 housing units on top of that, all on one site in East Fort Lauderdale. Where are those kids going to go to school? We need to think about things in the future, not just things today and in the past. I'm going to challenge the superintendent and staff to do something
that they haven't done too, which is to think about our successful schools, the ones with the waiting lists, the pompo high schools, the Marjorie Stoman Douglas. I know we've got spaces there, but there's going to be a big demand for those seats in the next 5 years as things change uh up in Parkland. It is
Cypress Bay, it is other schools for which there's a very strong demand to go. If we can in fact sell some land and get capital money, could we invest in those schools that are wildly successful so we satisfy the community's demand? It's something that I haven't seen here before, but I think it makes great
sense. And just so that I make sure that I make the local newspaper, I'm going to propose for the 93rd time that we sell this building and we create a Casey Wright building and campus at Plantation Middle School. I am tired of people looking at a glass
palace and wondering why we're spending money here when we could be spending money at schools. And I can't justify to anyone living in Broward County anymore why we have a hundred million dollar property on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Last I checked, this is
not the center of Broward County, and it's not, I don't think, an efficient use of uh taxpayer dollars. I'm yes on a lot of things, Mr. Superintendent. Thank you uh for bringing these to us. Uh uh I believe as you and I have talked that great organizations have a bias toward action
and this represents taking real action. Thank you and and your staff very much. Uh I'm yes on Helenale High School becoming a full magnet. I don't think however there's anything special about a 4-day school week. I think there's something special about great teachers, great school leaders and and great
standards. But I I'm worried that the 4-day school week is capturing a lot of people's attention. And I don't think that's what's really special about Pompo High School. I'm yes on addicts. Got to work with the community to figure out what the highest and best use is. I'm yes on Forest Glenn
Plantation, Palm Cove and Pine Lakes, Walter C. Young, Seagull, and Widen Rogers, not or and we've got to make bold moves. I think we're uh right on McNichols. We got to learn a little bit more about uh that. And I'm also right,
thank you very much to our firefighters and and our uh our public service uh folks involved in that. I just got to tell you, someone's going to have to buy the land for us to do this. I mean, we we cannot give away land given the the hole that we're in with resources. Uh I hope that multiple cities come together
and figure out how to buy the the land that we have so we can do something really special there. Uh just like we're doing for that hospital up in Parkland uh if we ever get that closed. I'm no on grade expansion. We need fewer campuses, fewer schools, and fewer grades. Every
time we add grades, uh we're compounding the problem. I'm no on moving too fast on a single site pre-apprenticeship program. Uh we've got to think hard about that. That's a real complex puzzle. Who who's responsible for pre-apprentice programs?
Who's responsible for vocational and technical education? A lot of people are. Broward has a big role in that. Broward College has a big role in it. The private sector has a big role in it. The marine industries runs their own. Uh I sit every quarter with Senator Geller on the trades council and there's 200
people that are working that puzzle. I think we need to know more about that before we make up our decision. And I'm also anxious to hear what the city wants to do uh with North Fork Elementary School. So um I like all of these. I think on my list that adds to 10 schools. Uh I also think we should sell
Casey Wright this particular building and start a new Casey Wright so that we can uh move to more humble uh u space and a place where uh we don't make people up in Parkland drive an hour and people in Deerfield drive 45 minutes and people in Pemrook Pines drive forever to
get here. Uh this is not the right place for Broward County Schools uh to be located. We've got to make sure that we're serving uh our students to the extent possible. Thank you, Chair. Thank you. And just so I have this correct, you are a yes on Forest Glenn, Palm Cove, Pine Lakes, Seagull, and
Wooden Rogers, and McNichol. Was did I leave anything else out? Uh, yes on Helenale. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yes. On Addex, yes on Hollandale. Um, and then were you a no on JA at North Fork? I'm I'm not a no. I just I think we
haven't um squared that that yet. We don't know enough from the city. We don't know enough about the the the entire pre-apprenticeship apprentichip programs. Yes. On surplus of that property. I'm a I'm in. Yes. On Northfor. Yes, I am. But but you just want to reexamine it.
What I don't know is and this is a really interesting question is the same amount of funds could put JA very successful pre-apprenticeship programs at lots of our high schools that have space. And that means that people aren't driving forever to get to what's now Northfor uh to attend those programs because those programs are five days a
week kind of programs and that's a lot of lot of cars on the road. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Miss Pullman. Thank you, chair. Oh, sorry. Before you start, um in our comments, please consider also uh Dr. Zean's proposal on
selling KCW. Thank you. Rogers and Wooden Rogers. Okay, I will. Thank you. Um, so thank you chair, thank you Dr. Wanza and your team. Uh, you know, everyone has been commenting today about the great job that you all
have done and it it's really true. We've been through this is I think year three that I've been experiencing this. I went through it, you know, five or six years ago and this iteration has been very excellent. I know you've been working so hard and so I really appreciate that and
all the efforts of all the staff. Um, and I really appreciate everyone that came out. I know a lot of people left already, but the I think that the um the number of people that came to speak today really shows us how invested
people are in our schools and how important they are to the individual families and to the community. I know um from my district one there's um probably a lot of parents that weren't able to come today, but we had an excellent
showing from our uh representatives, our elected officials, and from community advocates. And that just is so important to know and for everyone to see. And I that there are so many people out there that really care about what happens to
our school, what happens to our neighborhoods. So, we can't take these decisions lightly and I don't think we can look at them just as buildings, but we are in a situation right now where we're going to
have to have some tough dec uh tough discussions and make some tough decisions. And it's certainly not because of the quality of any school. Um there's a lot of forces that are working
against us right now in terms of enrollment and everything else. So, I appreciate having all these different possibilities for us to look into and to really try to figure out what the best way forward is for um for our school
district. You know, each of us knows our district well and I um appreciate I know that my colleagues are all very hardworking and that they know their district. So, I'm going to focus on mine and I'm like Miss Alv said, I'm going to um you know wait
to hear from my colleagues to see what their opinions are about their particular districts before I make any decisions. So, I'd like to first of all, I'll start with Hollandale High. Um the community has been very supportive of
doing a pompo beach like model there. Um, but I think you heard from them that one of the issues that has been plaguing them since the place was uh built in 1973 is that there hasn't been any money put into it. And so it's difficult to
attract students when your facilities are not attractive. And so we have their support, but we really need a commitment that we're going to fund that proper that program properly. I think it can be um an excellent
force to attract students from other you know from charter and from private schools as well um in the south part of the county. So I appreciate the opportunity for that but we really need to fund it. We need to make sure that the teachers are are corre um are there
to uh and able to provide what they need to for that program. And I we also I think we don't need to absolutely replicate what's happening in Pompo. Pompo is Pompo. The southside is the southside. So we can um you know take
the community recommendations in terms of partnerships, the kinds of industries that are in the south side of the county that would be useful um partnerships for us to have with our students so that they can join our local workforce when they get out of school. Um, I really
appreciate Pemrook Park once again stepping up to be an excellent partner. They are funding our school lunches at both Watkins and Lake Forest Elementary so that none of the kids have to pay for for school lunch. And they've stepped up
again and want to take space in Watkins Elementary uh to start a senior program. And I think that there is such a synergy there with the students because the the uh seniors can read to the students, the students can read to the seniors. There's all kinds of things that can be
done interactive in a programming like that. So I think that's a perfect fit and I am just so grateful to Pemro Park for coming up with that solution and being a great partner. Um at McNickel again there were in talks with the city
of Hollywood. I've met with assistant city managers. Dr. Wanza has I don't know uh superintendent but there are some really good ideas that are being uh proposed for that and um you know you hear from this is a really important
school for the south side of the county there isn't another middle school that really serves that so to be able to continue to keep that um pipeline going from McNickel to Hollanddale high I think will be very important also in the
Hollandale I we have to remember to keep a certain number of students from our local boundary um reserved for this for Hollandale Highs Middle School. I support having the
technical school um and and having other you know like workforce training. I think that's really important. And I think that that community will really um benefit from that and I think they will come to it and they will appreciate it.
So I support that. And um and then Olsen Middle School, I you know, we've said this on multiple occasions, but the city of Dana Beach has been such an amazing partner for us. They came with a solution to do a partnership. They're
building a state-of-the-art facility, uh, athletic facility next to Olsen Middle School, which our students will be able to use during the day and that the community will be able to use in the evening. And they're also going to take some of the space in Olsen Middle School
that will allow them to do a team program after school, um, which will also be serving our students at Olsson, particularly because right now they get out of school very early. we might want to, you know, explore that not being the case for next year, but that's another
topic for another day. Um, you know, I'll be interested to hear everybody else's uh opinions about the autism school and maybe have a little bit more of a sidebyside comparison of what that
would look like as a charter, a district charter versus a district run. And what um you know there's there's kind of a competing voices here between the southwest and the northwest that seem to
be interested in having this model. So is that something that would we would only have one in the whole county or is that something that we could do a school within a school in two different So to help with the the conversation um that I expect from from all the board
members just FYI at the next redefining workshop we will be bringing a sideby-side comparison. Okay, just to so the board has a full understanding of the benefits or uh or even the detriments just to compare and contrast uh district operated versus a
district managed um option for for both so that you are well informed so you can provide some guidance on what what next steps we should pursue and also the specific schools that could possibly be in the north or in in the south um because um we don't want parents all the way in the north have to worry about
coming all the way down south and also additional information. We we plan on serving um the parents that would be el their student will be eligible for such a school to get gan more insight. So we're going to provide as much information as possible at the next workshop for the board so we can get
some direction on where to go next uh for what option to exercise or if it's both or if it's one or the other. Okay. Thank you. Um, so just, you know, some kind of broad things I think we really need to look at just conversations we're having with
about AI, technology, where the world's going. I think that again, I've said this many times, but technical programs, vocational programs, trade programs, this is something that our public schools are uniquely situated to
provide. And I think it is so important that we invest in that. that is going to distinguish us from all of the other choices. And I think that's where we need to be making um investment. I also think that um you know, we've
traditionally been a a a a county of magnet programs and um I think we need to look at how we're doing that a little bit differently. localize programming so that we have it situated into regions so
that we can and that would allow and also streamline program. You know, there's theater patterns that don't make sense and we need to do that too. We're going to save money doing that. We'll save busing uh you know, reduce busing routes and costs. That's all very
important because this is a big picture thing. This is not just closing schools. We really need to figure out how we're going to save money and we have to be serious about it. I the community has spoken. Um I don't think they have the
stomach to come back year after year to beg for the lives of their schools. So we need to really be prepared to make our decisions. I think this year, this is the third year that we've been having these same conversations and we need to really be get serious about making all
these changes so that we can move forward. without having to keep revisiting this every single year. Um, and finally, since we're talking about closing our schools, everyone's coming out to talk about it. I am very much
looking forward to seeing what we are doing as a district to cut our costs so that we can show that we are also participating in the process. As our communities are sacrificing and being impacted by this, we need to
show that we're serious and that we are doing everything we can to reduce our budget um so that we are running to uh align with the number of students that we have now rather than 10 years ago.
Thank you. Thank you. Um, so just so I have this correct, I didn't hear any new proposals from you. Correct. Correct. Okay. Uh, Miss Thompson. Thank you, chair, and I hope my colleagues bear with me because I will
be a little bit more long-winded. Um, especially because the majority of the proposals are affecting district 2. So, I think this is incredibly hard discussion that we're having today. So before I go into my questions and the data behind these proposals, I want to
start by thanking our parents, our students, our teachers, our principles, and community members for reaching out to me and my colleagues and advocating for your schools. I especially want to thank the individual individuals that came all the way from district 2 to speak for your schools because KCW is
not an easy location for us and it's also a very difficult time especially for parents and staff members to come out and speak. but they made sure that their voices were heard through their emails they've sent to the board through the virtual town halls that I hosted and
also being the most well- attended town halls we had in the district to al together and I just want to encourage my colleagues to make sure they're watching all the recordings of the town halls of I have for the entire districts so you
can hear directly from my community after visiting every school in district 2 I've seen firsthand that each one is a special home for its students filled with teachers making an incredibly impact and principles who inspire their staff to always put teachers students
first. And because I spent time in these schools, I understand how deeply connected our families and staff are to them. These are not just buildings. They're places filled with memories, friendships, and pride. And this is all happening through no
fault of their own. not our students, parents or staff at the school. So, while I think we can say that the de decision is difficult for us as board members, it's truly the community, the families, the students, and the staff
who have to live with them. You're the ones who have to tell your fourth grader that their final year at their beloved elementary school will now be spent someone somewhere new. or your sixth grader who just found their footing at their ele at their middle school that they're going to have
to start all over at a new campus. We won't be in the room with teachers who have to pack up their classrooms or with office staff wondering where they go next or when principles have to face their parents with the news that we close their school.
I think is is it is incredibly important throughout this conversation to recognize that. So, how did we get here? There have been warning signs for years, but the previous school board and district did
not act. I don't believe this was out of mattice, but because it is incredibly hard to look at families and teachers and principles in the eye and say that our district as it is currently operating isn't sustainable.
And at the same time, we need to take accountability. We didn't adapt quickly enough to the changing educational landscape, the growth of taxpayer funded vouchers, the expansion of charter schools, and the shifting enrollment patterns.
and we consistently underinvested in maintaining our buildings and programs in way that could in ways that could have brought our families back and kept the families we have. So today it is this board's responsibility and our
superintendent to finally face this reality head on. Since I have been elected, there have been several conversations that we have had as a board to direct the superintendent and his staff to find cuts. But it isn't enough. We have been
making cuts just to stay afloat, not to make better investments in our schools. And in many cases, our students are already feeling the impact through larger class sizes and fewer programs. Going forward, we need to make strategic
student centered decisions that protects what matters most, smaller class sizes, strong extracurriculars, and safe and supportive learning environments. Our focus has to remain on what happens in the classroom, not the next new
initiative or gimmick, but the real work of teaching and learning that changes lives. So before we get started in specific proposals, I would like a summary of what cuts we have made at the district level before we were looking at closing
schools. Dr. Hover, thanks for the question, Miss Thompson. That's actually a followup. I don't have that information in in front of me. Um that would involve the last two years since I've been here of cuts in the um
having a a brain freeze on our um org chart. Thank you. Thank you, Miss L. on our org chart. U plus some cost savings and and um getting rid of certain uh contracts and programs, but we can provide that in a follow-up. I don't have that information in front of me.
So I are we looking at selling land? Whatever pleases the board today. This is what this uh discussion is is is about. We are looking at selling Sorry, can I cut you off? Because I think it's important that we have already looked at surplusing land in our community because there's this dialogue
out there that we're not looking at selling off our additional property that we haven't closed buildings. Yes, that is correct. We we are in direct negotiations with Broward Health with piece of land up in Parkland and we are surplusing um two of our admin buildings um TSSC annex and the main
TSSC building and if there's any other uh recommendations based on the current presentation. Thank you. I just think it's important that there's that information out there that we are looking at cuts to the district level because our community members aren't hearing that and I think
that's because we don't generally need community input to close a staff building. Um, but we are doing that as well. And I just want to echo uh my colleague Miss Bowman's points that we need that if we're asking our families to make
these sacrifices then we need to be prepared as a district to make some really hard choices to our central system. Um and so now to specific proposals. Um so the Sunshine Fairway and the Pines
Lakes Palm Cove consolidation. I would really like to hear from staff if we continue forward with those proposals. How are we choosing between schools? Go ahead Dr. Wansa. Um so thank you Mrs. Thompson. So the
first thing we have to consider is which facility obviously um can accommodate combined populations one facility condition two th those are the two main things right. So, when you look at um Sunshine and Fairway, we we know that
both schools are um located I'm going to say like in the same block, if you will. One's on the north side of um Myiar Parkway and one's on the south side. So, we would have to look at capacity. We would have to look at facility condition. Th those would be two of the
you know um largest contributors. And then obviously we'll if if it's the board's will that those are two schools that we continue to have conversation. We will obviously you know listen to the community but we also have to look at capacity facility condition um would be
two of the largest drivers. So I would make a comment that I think we also need to look at what families are already choosing that school and not going to charter because if you were to close one where the majority of kids are
choosing to go to that school that are neighborhood kids and the other one may be larger but the community is already choosing not to go to that one as much. I think that needs to be a factor in our in our conversation with that.
Thank you. Um, same with I want to say parental involvement as well, though I do know that communities for many different reasons aren't necessarily involved in the PTA. So, I don't think that should be a hindrance. But, I do think looking at what communities are choosing charter already
and making sure that we don't accidentally push them to charter schools, especially because in my district there is plenty of charter school options. Um, I also want to know because when I talked to the city, there was interest in partnering with the senior center for Pines Lakes.
What happened with that? Go ahead, Dr. Wanso. So, um, uh, I we did have a conversation with the city manager and the assistant city manager and we are scheduling um, a visit. Unfortunately, I've been kind of busy. So, um, what
we we um, we are scheduling a a visit. I want to thank um the legislative affairs department. They in fact they sent an email I want to say yesterday making sure we coordinate the date and time. So we're going to schedule a visit to actually go out and look at um the Pines Lakes facility because as we know that's the facility that is adjacent to the
senior center and they were looking at potentially um utilizing partnering with us to utilize some space on the Pines Lakes campus um for partnership with the senior center. So then if we continue with this proposal but then the si there
is a better opportunity for partnership with the city would then both schools stay like what would happen with that proposal if we have at this workshop said we wanted to close one of them. So I if I may I want to draw um what I
believe what we asked the staff asked. We're not asking which school to close today. No, I understand. But so the proposal is to consolidate schools, right? So so we would have at so if these two schools remain in the conversation. Okay.
Then we will definitely have all of the information consideration input from the walk from the city. We'll have the regional meeting. It'll be that'll be at the at Myiar High School. And then all of that would factor into what would eventually become proposals for the
boundary committee to consider and for the superintendent to make final recommendations to the board. Okay. And then so moving on to Glades Middle School. I do think there's a very compelling argument to convert Glades
Middle into a technical college especially because there's strong municipal support. There's also strong business support. It is something that is lacking in the west side of the county. However, I do have some concerns. Um, and a question. Is it
possible to have the technical college on Glades campus while maintaining it as a middle school? Did I stomp you? No, you didn't stomp me. Um I would be concerned about having that level uh that age level of student on a technical
college campus. Um and we have more than enough current waiting list um for technical college to fill that campus up plus more. Um our only limit with our technical colleges is is space. The demand is high. Um
a lot of collaboration for business partners. Shout out to um the the Fort Lauderdale Greater Alliance. They constantly meet with us about industry um needs and demands. Um but yeah, I would be concerned if we had middle school students and technical college campus students on the same campus.
Thank you. Um and so a lot of families will choose Glades Middle School because of their Cambridge program. So how will programs like the Cambridge Academy be maintained? Um because a lot of families that are school choice in chose it for that reason. So where would the Cambridge
So I'm gonna say this right here. Um Cambridge today and tomorrow won't be a unique program to an individual school. Cambridge is uh for middle schools will be districtwide eventually. You do have a lot of middle schools offering it now.
Um the whole concept around a Cambridge magnet um is going to be obsolete pretty quickly um because it's just the way we do business when it comes to accelerated opportunities. um moving forward. So those those that type of coursework um will be available um to those students
if they go to another school. Okay. And then um the major there is a large population of out of boundary students. So how will these families be looked after to prevent the displacement if their school is closed? And will they
receive priority in future school choice lotteryies? And and I'll let um Dr. the ones to kind of provide information on that because it's the same thing for us when we went through the Broward Estates um transition where we had a lot of I say the majority of the students were actually out of boundary for for Broward
Estates and you can go over um Dr. Wza how we took care of those kids. Um thank you Dr. Heburn. So you're you're um spot on. Approximately half of the student population at Broward Estates were students from outside the boundary. So um what we would do is
whatever decision is made then we would work with families around unique choices and unique needs of families. We um we worked with the Broward Estates community with the you know school choice options. And so um it it would
just be meeting with families looking at you know what their unique situations are and doing personalized services. Thank you. And then on to the expansion of K through eights since you're recommending I believe five. So I would
I know we talked about this earlier. I would just like you to clarify for my colleagues when you say that you're looking at five, do you mean that we're going to have five new K through8s? Not ever. Oh, go ahead, Dr. Watson. So um thank you Miss Thompson.
One of the things that we know and um you kind of alluded to it in your um opening comments was the the K to8 model is something that is desired you know by many families and that's why they made other options outside of Broward County Public Schools. So when we when we look
at um if if the board so chooses that we are actually going to offline trans transition Glades Middle from a traditional middle school then we have to look at um what we're going to provide to families for the middle
school grades in that area. So once you um once if Glazes Middle is long no longer a traditional middle school, now you have Silver Trail if it you know you have New Renaissance and so many families um would not want that option.
Um they would ask and we have heard that they would want to potentially extend the grades. So, we looked at the milk the elementary schools west of I75 so that they have the option of remaining at um their elementary school
with extended grades or if they wanted the traditional middle school model depending on where they lived it would be either Silver Trail or um New Renaissance. And so that's why we would look at extending the grades um of those
elementary schools so that the the parents do have the option as as we have the conversation. It may not be um as many because more parents may say no, I want the middle school option. So it may not be as many, but at least we want to recognize that we know that that has
been something that that community in particular um has been desiring for quite some time. So, I would just like to give my opinion on this. I don't believe that there's capacity in the community for that many. I would say maybe one, potentially two
depending on what the community says because I'd like to remind my colleagues, Coral Cove and Silver Shores are already a K through eight. So, that would create seven in that community. Um, and the reason we're looking at
closing schools in my district is because of lack of students. So, I think that would just continue to hurt the middle schools that remain. Um, and then I would also as we pursue the K through8 um there's an issue which I'm sure you
and Mr. Strauss know about already, but about the pickup times at schools. So, I've had principles who are being considered to be K through8s reaching out and saying that they don't want to be a K through eight if they if this issue wasn't resolved prior. So, it's
the elementary kids being picked up at two and then the middle school kids being picked up later having that shared dismissal time. So, can we get an update on what's happening with that? Go ahead.
So, um I know that Mr. Strauss has been working um diligently, he and the um staff in the South region office and he can probably give that update. But what I will say um and I had the conversation with my colleagues that while we go um and visit other places, we do have a
school right here in this district that has been doing that model successfully since its inception. So we probably need to study what Beachside is doing because we've never had that complaint from them. So we need to study what they're doing because they have been doing a K8
model with the same dismissal time for K through eight since they opened in 2010. So um Mr. Strauss and his team is going to you know work with them and then we will obviously um um initiate what are the appropriate steps to bring
resolution to the concern. So, if this moves forward with the board, I would like that resolution to come with that idea because I can't support a K through8 expansion without knowing that they're going to be properly taken care of. Thank you.
Um, so then moving and I also think with that K through eight expansion, uh, we had Miss McNab at Glades bring up that a lot of our elementary schools are not equipped for middle school students. So, how are we going to support that six through eight
students in a K through eight as well? So, moving on to Walter C. Young, there are two proposals before my colleagues and I. One would be closing. So, I want to talk about that first. So,
as we heard, the city of Pimrook Pines owns that land. Um, they also own the library that Walter C. Young is sh is using which lease is up actually next year. So if we m so the library lease
but not our campus. So if we maintain it as a campus we need to start looking at that issue. Um just for my colleagues knowledge the commission and the city manager have publicly stated that they are not
interested in expanding their charter schools. But is there a way that we can legally put that in a contract if we were to return that land to them that they aren't allowed to put it in Miss Jack Adams? They can't put a charter or
charter shaped thing in that space through the chair. So um we would have to take a look at the specific um restrictions that you would want to put in any contract that you have with them. Um I can't say as I
sit here yes definitively because as we craft contracts sometimes we discover that certain things can be done cannot be done maybe there's an alternative way of doing it. So um a charter shaped thing. Yes.
So, I think that that is something I think we would want to protect ourselves with if we do go forward with closing Walter C. Um, and then I do have concerns with closing Walter C because it would be a loss of a
traditional middle school and Pines Lakes fought very very hard to make sure that their dual language program had a continuation into the middle school. And if we close it, where do all those kids go? And I I know you're gonna say, well,
we're proposing a three three through eight. However, that's going to have a dramatic impact on their on Lakeside, which has a very strong dual language program. Um,
so I guess two questions in that. If we were not to make it at 3 through 8 and then we were to close Walter Cy Young, where would the families that want a strong dual language middle school go?
So, um, if if we let me parse it out and take it in. Okay. So if we closed Walter C the what's proposed is to split the boundary and the students would go um either to Silver Trail or Pines Pines 6 through 12. So then we would have to
make some programmatic considerations around um will a dual language can silver trail and pine 6 through 12 support deliver you know with all the components a dual language um academy
that or I'm sorry a dual language program right so that's the first part of if we were to close Walter C alto together and it's no longer an option if Walter C remains open Um, I I don't think that it would necessarily have um
a a negative impact, if you will, on Lakeside because it because it's it's more than dual language that's being proposed to be offered there. And it would also m ensure that both Lakeside and Pines Lakes have that middle school
component. Just something to consider. And so a third through eight you would test into or what what would that look like? So for for the uh for the gifted academy part that that would obviously require some type of um assessment if
you will but the the dual language would necess would not require a a test in option. Okay. And then um so per panther run I know we are going to come back with more information about the autism center to
another board. So I will leave my comments there. Um, however, I I think I'm interested in keeping Panther Run on the list as a potential full center or to have a school within a
school. I think we really need to consider the impact of it because what I don't want to happen is tell my Panther Run families that their school is safe because we open up the school within a school and then next year we come back
and say just kidding this is not sustainable your school is closed. My community just can't do that anymore. Um so then I have a couple more questions and then I'm done. Um, just in general,
I've had a lot of staff reach out. So, the staff members that are not tied to students because we've been telling families that teachers will follow the students. So, our school counselors, our reading coaches, our math coaches, the office staff, the media specialists, the tech person, where will they go if we
close a school? Great question. So, we're depending on attrition to for those individuals to fill voids. We're trying to be very strategic with our hiring practices also um i.e. um some of our school-based administrators, principles, and
assistant principles. We're not filling those um by going out doing the traditional interviews and all that. The only school we've actually filled was uh Cypress Bay High School, you know, super large. So, we need to do um something a little bit different there. But for the rest of the schools, we're filling those
voids with people who are in the leadership pipeline program so that when uh these uh re final recommendations are actually executed, we have places to staff um individuals such as uh guidance counselors, uh school texts and things
like that. So we have a lot of attrition over the year and so we're we're hopeful that most of those individuals will be able um to find a home. Um, so I would like a staff followup on the attrition rates and how many people we have hired to fill and if there's how
many staff are potentially displaced because what I don't want to do is say you're going to find a home and then they call me because we closed their school and they can't find a home. We can provide that. That's why I say I'm hopeful but we can provide a followup. Um, and so
when we if we're expanding our K through8s, does that what happens to the schools that have prek ESSE classes in VPK? Go ahead, Dr. Oza.
So, um, K8 is, you know, obviously is what we normally call the school, but many of our at at least I'll say several of our K8s have prek. They all have space and availability for um our ESC programs, ESC classrooms. We we it is a
full school. Um, and then it just we look at enrollment, we look at demand, but I can tell you, you know, you look at many of our K8s, they have pre-K components. And then my final question, and I appreciate my colleagues for giving me
more time. A lot of our speakers have asked for additional funding, and a lot of times when I've gone out to my community, I've said, well, if we close schools, that means we will be able to pull our resources. Is that actually true?
Because I feel like we're also trying to fill funding gaps. So, I just want to be abundantly clear that if we go out and say if we close your school, you're going to have smaller class sizes, you're going to have new playground, you're going to have more programs. That that is actually a promise that we can
fulfill. Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you making a statement, not a question. Nope. Nope. I want to It will be pulled. Yes, it will be pulled into the bucket of either a budget is applicable for capital or our or general and um the board give us
direction of how we use that money. So, is the schools so if district 2 is primarily affected by all of these closures like we did for Broward Estates, will that money stay within that district or will it be expanded throughout? That's a board decision. That was a
board decision for Broward Estates also. Okay. Yeah. Um that's I can summarize if you'd like chair just unless you Go ahead. Okay. Um so for Panther Run, I
would like to continue the conversation with a true outlook on if we have a school within a school, if we'll be able to maintain that school community. Um, for Walter C. Young, I would like to continue the conversation uh both as a 3
through 8 and potential closure and bringing in our city partners. Um, I think I said my K through eight stance. I do not believe we need more than one or two at maximum. I'm interested in pursuing the Glades Middle for the
technical college. And then I would like to continue the proposals to look at consolidating Sunshine/Fairway and Pines Lake Palm Cove. Making sure that we're look talking to those communities and and looking at who's choosing to leave that school already.
Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Holes. Thank you, Madam Chair. And uh thank you to everyone who came today to to speak. Uh please understand that your input is very valuable to us. Uh thank you uh Dr.
Heburn, Dr. Wanza and your team. We appreciate all of the efforts and Dr. W on I know you've been to all of the community meetings. Uh thank you so much as well as your team for what you've done. So um you know I believe that as a
school district we're at a junction where we must make the tough decisions. Um I believe some of our decisions will not be popular. Uh but the consequences are real if we don't make these
decisions and uh and these consequences are at our borders. Um it is responsible of us to redefine Broad County schools to save our schools.
I am not in favor of selling any school property when we redefine our schools, including in the context of what we term to be closing specific schools. uh but using those properties for other purposes such
as uh staffing and so on and so forth because I for one believe that while we're in this current situation, none of us can predict what the next 20 years will be from now when we will possibly need these properties again should we start to see an increase in enrollment
with families moving into Florida or the birth rate going up or whatever it may be. So, I am not in favor of um selling any of our schools um but repurposing them. Um I believe if we don't act
uh immediately, others will act for us and so we must we must make these decisions. So, I have a few questions before I talk about the specific schools. Um Dr. Heburn, is it true that in the last 20 years or so, Bri County
schools have lost uh approximately 40 to 50,000 students? That's correct. Okay. And currently, how many approximately empty seats do we have in Broad County schools as opposed to where we were 20 years ago? 50,000.
Okay. So, what current or pending uh Florida bills or laws or statutes that may impact us if we don't act swiftly and comprehensively in Brock County Schools? Go ahead, Miss Sullivan. Uh their more recent one is the school
of hope and it's a change of eligibility uh into the number of schools that could potentially be colllocated by those operators. Um, so they would give us a notice of intent uh for uh facilities that can accommodate them and that
notice could be uh it has to be at least a year and up to two years. Okay. And Dr. Hburn uh if you don't mind um Mr. Sullivan uh so that the general public can understand uh if that should come to fruition, what would that mean
for example with schools that are underenrolled or significantly underenrolled? again those uh hope operators can uh give us a notice of intent to colllocate into those buildings. So I think it's important for the board to consider that as they uh consider how schools look
like and what programs and people are placed in those buildings. Okay. And and Mr. Sullivan, from your understanding, should uh um schools colllocate into our uh traditional schools, um who would foot the cost of
these students? Um my best understanding of that is we cannot charge them uh to utilize the space in terms of some sort of uh rental or rental fee. Um and we have to maintain those facilities uh including the portions that they use.
Okay. So if a school is say 60% enrolled uh technically um an alternative uh option for schools could come in there and occupy the other 40% and broad county traditional schools would be
responsible for the cost to accommodate this. Correct. Okay. All right. Um Dr. Heburn, would it be then in the district's best interest as we move forward to utilize as close as possible
100% of our facilities? Um, yes, if that's the will of the board um to utilize 100% of our facilities u versus surplusing um some for sale off or whatever the case may be.
Okay. So, based on um Mr. Sullivan's comments. Um would it be fair to say that if we don't act as a district, there's a possibility and a strong possibility that others may may act on our behalf? Yes, that's affirmative.
Okay. All right. So, um I am going to uh uh and I and I just want to say to the public based upon what we're getting and and the feedback that we're getting, it would be it would not be responsible of us if we don't take action and if we
don't uh make tough decisions because one way or another, we're going to be impacted as a district. uh and if we don't act uh then we are looking into the possibilities of of other other actions being taken by the state and so
on and so forth. So I think it's really imperative that we make these decisions and some of them as I said will be unpopular. So I just want to um and doc uh Dr. Zean, you must have been reading my mind or my notes. Uh, but I have it
here in my notes and I've met with uh uh a few others and I've also spoken to some city leaders as well including um uh council member uh Rinstein of Plantation um regarding uh the KC Wright
building. So, we're looking at um when we look at the Casey Wright building and and may I say that wherever we should locate our schoolboard headquarters that um my hope is that
Kathleen C. Wright remains as the name of such headquarters because the the name travels with the headquarters and not associated to a specific building. So Dr. Heburn, what I'd like to ask um in alignment with Dr. Zean is that we
get an appraisal for the KC Wright building. Uh was there one that has ever been done? No, I researched this actually this week. There's there's never been a appraisal of this current building since it was purchased. Um, so I've already uh had Mr. Dakabuso start
the process to get an appraisal for for the building. Okay. So, I hope uh uh Dr. Dr. Heeper that uh once we have this appraisal um I actually would love for you to present options to us that would be financially
beneficial and support the redefining efforts um should the board approve uh the selling of the KC Wright building. Would that be noted? Okay. Um and uh hopefully uh you know I
would suggest as a part of the redefining process that the headquarters for B County schools be um uh be located in in a central location uh to echo Dr. Zean such as Plantation
Middle School um or any other central location that we may consider in the redefining process. I believe we're I'm going to talk about Bear Middle as well and to utilize existing space um at any schools that we will be uh
potentially closing for um staffing uh that may not be essential to be within the headquarters of B County Schools. Um so Dr. Heburn, would would um I'm just uh providing my input. Would that be something that could possibly be
considered? Yes. So, we'll start with appraisal first and get that information to the board and then look at options that are available at that time if the board um wants to um direct us to go out and exercise an option to find a different
uh space for our headquarters. Okay. So, I want to talk about North Fork and while I um and and I appreciate um the comments made on North Fork and while I appreciate the urgency being expressed in terms of receiving $10
million donation and um having a time constraint to it, um I also caution that this does not uh in some way um create such a sense of urgency uh that it would preclude others from um uh prov
providing um proposals for that location. Um so for North Fork um I would suggest Dr. Hepern that we get additional proposals from community stakeholders and consider those as well as we consider the JA world proposal
um or uh JA World should that proposal uh be considered that um it's reflective uh of other community um programs uh that would that would be um that would be based on
community input in addition to what they're proposing. Uh so I do hope that we're not considering North Fork simply because of the $10 million and simply because of the urgency that that is expressed to to move ahead in order to
utilize this money. Um it is important that as a board we consider the community's um input and I'm not sure if we've gathered enough input on North Fork to move ahead with JA World. So while I'm not in a opposition to JA
World um I would like to see that we exhaust Dr. Heern um all options of seeking proposals from community stakeholders um of that location before we move ahead
with JA World. And if we do move ahead eventually with JA World that JA World consider programs within North Fork that will uh benefit that community or even consider additional partners uh locally
from the community uh that could utilize space in in North Fork as well. And uh I just want to mention that North Fork and I had asked uh Miss Janice to provide me with uh some demographics of
North Fork and North Fork is 84% blacks, 12% whites. It is uh a title one school, 11 to 12 I'm sorry, 12% Hispanic. Um so it it's really important and and by the way as well, Dr. October, North Fork has
a significant number of homeless students. Uh, which is sort of an anomaly compared to some of the other schools. So, I think it's important when we're repurposing North Fork that we understand the community, that we value the community and and value the the kind
of challenges they have uh before we make take any action to to move forward with any proposal. So, that is for North Fork. I'm going to continue with um uh let me see
I'm going to continue with um Thood Marshall. So the suggestion here is to um transition Thood Marshall to K through8 gifted education. Um so Dr. Heburn, what impact will this have on enrollment by
enrollment in the surrounding elementary schools? as far as a K through eight um gifted dual and lang dual language focus. It wouldn't have much of an impact as you remember um Parkway was the actual gifted school um that drew kids from all
over the county that it you know I don't know uh the history but it kind of fizzled out. Uh so you're just trying to rekindle that. Um because many and many of the the the meetings I've gone to for the gifted advisory committee, they're asking for such a school. Um and so
we're looking at options across the district. So it's not one location. This would be one of several. Right. So you don't anticipate this impact in the enrollment at Dillard Elementary, any of the other schools? I I we have the gifted students are spread out throughout the county.
They're not just, you know, there's not 200 gifted kids at Devil Elementary or 200 gifted kids at Walker Elementary. They're spread out throughout the county. Got it. Y So, regarding Bear and Westpine uh middle, I did notice one of the
potential strategies is to combine Bear Middle School and Westpine Middle School. Looking at the numbers, Dr. to Heburn under Beer and Westpine. I do see that when we look at uh inbound and outbound students um if students were to
transition from beer to Westpine in the ideal sense of the word then um there would be 1,271 students Westpine has a capacity of 1,193. Um so can you expound on what challenges
that would create um should we move ahead with that option? I don't think proposes a lot of challenges. I think it proposes a lot of benefits. Um when you have a school um that starts getting 80% and above capacity that provides
opportunity to offer more programming uh more of those specialty type programs within the school um because it's it's funded correctly. It's you're you're not you util you're not utilizing just half the space of the school and spend a lot of money on maintenance and operations for something that you're not using. So
I don't see a lot of a lot of detriments. Understand? But I I guess you misunderstood my question. So what happened is if we if we take all of the students at beer currently the inbound and and outbound it would exceed the capacity of Westpine it appears uh by a
small margin. So how would we deal with that challenge? Yep. Uh go ahead Dr. Wes. I know we're most of that is reassignment and we just won't allow reassignments. So thank you Dr. Hebr. You um hit the nail on the head. We would certainly um limit um
Thank you, Joe. It would be under by 20 students. So, we would definitely look at um uh limiting to a greater degree um the the ability for parents to choose the school um as a reassignment option. that that's the
that's the biggest thing is that the school would not be one of those schools now that could accept a large number of reassignments because we've essentially changed its boundary so that it has more students in the boundary to um take up the seats that are there at the school.
Okay. So, Dr. Wanza, if at any point West Pine should experience an increase in enrollment where it's above capacity, would it would it then be considered to um sort of rebounder some of those students into say plantation uh 6
through 12 should plantation become a 6 through 12? So there would be a school that would come up now because of significant overenrollment, right? And then we would exercise the board would have the option of exercising one of the strategies in the policy which is obviously a boundary
change. We cap enrollment. There are several strategies but yeah we would have to then look at um uh realigning boundaries to accommodate an overenrolled school. Correct. And Dr. The ones are currently if we combine Plantation Middle with
Plantation High School, it um there would still be uh adequate room to accommodate additional students. Correct? Yes. Okay. So, um Madame Chair, I have a few suggestions. Um and then I wanted to
make some general comments if you don't mind on the other areas of the district. Um, so number one, I am supportive of combining Plantation Middle with Plantation High and Plantation Middle being utilized by this uh city of
Plantation um uh that would enable opportunities um uh for um for for them to utilize the space as well as for them to offer I believe Dr. W. So was were were was the city going to offer some additional programs at
plantation uh 6 through 12 should it become a 6 through 12? Yes, the the city is very much interested um in working to develop uh a public safety um career pathway and that would provide opportunities for
the students uh should it merge uh for Plantation 6 through 12? It would be plant it would be at Plantation High School whatever grades Plantation High School would serve. So if it's 9 through 12 or 6 through 12. Yes. And they would occupy uh if we so choose
to proceed down that road um um Plantation Middle School, the city. No. Okay. So the Plantation Middle School would become what? It will be you it would be it would be another district use. We know that we have um security operations there. So that could probably expand, but it will
be for um another district use. you will um the board obviously in the public sees in the appendix section um we have a slide that talks about all of the staff that has have to be relocated from different administrative buildings um the two that are up for sale one that
has already been sold. So um it would be um whatever is determined operationally but it would not be occupied by the city. Okay. So we would be able to utilize 100% of that at Plantation Middle School for district use. Correct. Yes, sir. Yes. Okay. And if we combine Dr. Heburn,
Beer, and Westpine Middle, uh, we would be able to utilize all of Bearer Middle School. Yes, we could utilize Bear Middle School or even work with the city of Sunrise, um, for for use, too. Understand? So, um, Madame Chair, I am also supportive of combining Beer and
Westpine with the understanding that Beer is utilized by the district for district purposes and that there's no intent to sell any of these properties. Um, number three, uh, um,
like I mentioned, I want to explore, uh, the selling of the KC right building, relocating the district headquarters, possibly to the central area and, um, and and keep KC right as the name of wherever we relocate headquarters. Um,
and let me see what else I have. Um and I just wanted to make some comments on um the other areas of the district. Um I am supportive of Halllandale Magnet to um Mirro uh Pompino Beach. Um I wanted to ask a
question about McNickel. Dr. Heperin for Mac Nickel Middle. Um the uh does any of the potential strategies include the closing of Mac Nickel or it's just partnering with Dana Beach and Hollywood to include uh community programs and
career programs while the school remains open? Yep. So there's no um emphasis on closing that school. Those are partnerships and also district use. Okay. So, as long as there's no emphasis on closing that school, I am supportive of the partnership. Um, Forest Glenn,
uh, in Coral Springs, I noticed the FCI is 29%. Uh, what does that mean, Dr. Hepern? I know we we've looked at it before. So, that means the school potentially has um used its useful life. Correct. It's repeat that question.
For Forest Glenn, it has the FCI is 29%. I I believe 30% and above is when it has exhausted its useful life. So 29% would mean that it's is close to being that within the next 10 years or so of of it of going beyond
its useful life. But some caveats there. It may be specific buildings on that on on that campus because I know we've built buildings on certain campus over the years. So the caveat would be there may be buildings on the campus that is not beyond its useful life but overall
the school um maybe uh beyond its useful life but it may be buildings that are not understand. So um for Forest Glenn, I am not supportive of the students uh going to Lions Creek, but if if a strategy is going to be exercised, I would be more
supportive of the students going to Coral Springs, Ramblewood, and Sawrass Springs. Uh for Coral Springs Elementary, um um is there a reason that we're we're not considering merging Coral Springs Elementary, which seems significantly underenrolled into
Parkside Elementary? Um I think that was cap uh adjacent capacity issue. Go ahead Dr. Waza. Thank you Dr. Hemmer. It it abs it is an adjacent capacity issue. We did bring this up as part of the conversation last year and remember it came off because of
the adjacent capacity issue. Okay. Um and um for Sunshine and Fairway, Fairway seems to have a greater capacity with a lower um uh FCI.
So is there a reason that um it appears that either one of those schools could merge as opposed to the one with as opposed to keeping the one with greater capacity and the and lower FCI. Go ahead. So um thank you. So that was a part of
the conversation and that my response to Miss Thompson's question and then she asked us to look at another element but we did say that a part the the two driving or leading criteria would obviously be capacity and looking at the facility condition. Okay. So fairway would have a greater
capacity with lower FCI. So I'm assuming that would be in a better condition according to the data. Yes. Right. So, I'm just wondering why that decision wasn't made and it's still up in the air which of the two schools.
Well, the the proposal obviously is to look at combining the schools into one and then using the other as a district use. So, as we have the conversations with the community, we will speak to the facility condition and and all of that and that
may get us to right there to that end. Understand? I I was just wondering if I missed if there was an additional factor because I I did see that fairway had a greater capacity and it also had a lower FCI. So I was wondering if maybe there was some other reason why we didn't um you know why we didn't support fairway
being the choice of school to remain open but okay so for um Wooden Rogers and Seagull Alternative High School uh Dr. Dr. Heburn, can you describe the student population of Seagull and also Wooden Rogers because we're looking at combining these two schools? Um, and I'm
wondering what kind of challenge would come about if we do that. Go ahead, Dr. WA. Um, thank you, Dr. Hem. So, um, Seagull and Win Rogers are both, um, two of the district's four alternative high schools. As we know, um, Seagull, the
the the major difference is Seagull actually has the teen parent program, but they both have the same, um, academic programs, if you will, for the students in grades 7 through 12. Um the unlike um Cypress Run, Laneir James,
these aren't children that are assigned there because of some behavioral uh infraction. These are kids who um are over age for grade, behind in credit, looking to accelerate themselves, um work at their own pace, graduate, and then move to whatever is their next um
post-secary option. Currently the um child development program at um Seagull is actually housed on the Whitten campus. So um um Seagull has one program that we talked
about the adults with disabilities program that we would relocate to another um campus essentrally located in the district. But as far as the um grades 7 through 12 student population, it's pretty much the same student population and programming
opportunities. And if I misrepresented anything, Dr. Tumer, who's the region superintendent, can certainly fill in any gaps. Okay. So, I'm supportive of that merger and I'm also supportive of Glades Middle um um into a a a technical college in in terms of its um
I believe it was Sheridan um Dr. Heeran that you mentioned. Mhm. Yep. So, I'm supportive of that as well. And that's it, Madam Chair. I hope you captured all my points. I believe I did. Okay. Thank you. Um,
now we have Miss Rupert. Thank you. Um, and I want to thank any parents and community members that are still back here with us. Um it's been a long day and we really appreciate the um the conversation and uh especially your
time here. Uh on page 23, I'm a yes for the sports academy. Um also uh junior achievement uh uh enhanced resources and support for some programs offered at Northside
Elementary School. Um, yes to Plantation Middle, uh, with Plantation High. Yes to Wooden Rogers and Seagull. And, um, I did have a and yes to the
maritime, um, magnet program there, too. Um, also number four would be Halllandale. Um, I had a question about how a full magnet program like PMPO Beach would work at Hallandale. um being that it's it's currently a magnet school
and um programs that um they're magnet programs that they currently have there right now that are um especially uh attracting people there. How will that work with a full school school magnet or will that discontinue and it becomes a
full school magnet? How how would that work? And I know this could be a follow-up because obviously we're going to have that conversation. No, go ahead, Dr. Wo. Um thank you. I I was going to um I like the um latter part of what Mr. Rupert said a followup because um what what what I what I can tell you and Mr.
Strauss can chime in. Is is currently the school um it it is called Hlandale All Magnet High School and it does have um some programs there that there is some um student attraction but I think um the the the school and the community
is looking to completely um re-imagine its entire magnet portfolio, right? It its entire magnet portfolio. I know some of their interests um and it it wouldn't be an exact mirror of the programs at PMPO. would be what's more um attractive
and demanding um if you will in that part of the county and I can just give two examples for example you know they they back up to channel 10 they have a full broadcast um journalism studio per you know on campus and and and how does that become a pathway they're right
there two three blocks well country blocks country blocks in the city um down from Coca-Cola major, you know, um distributor here. And so partnerships of that kind um coupled with other local
businesses, but they um they want to reimagine the entire magnet portfolio of um with within the framework of how Pompeo operates and that is what seems to be attractive to the community and
the city. And um Mr. Strauss can fill in any gaps I may have missed because I know that he actually toured Pompo with them. Um, yeah. And I wanted to actually give give uh a little caution on if we're going to mess with what is the special sauce of PMPA Beach High School.
You can't do PMPA Beach High School um like place with a Friday. It's the Monday through Thursday which attracts the very tenur teachers that are all vying to go there and on Fridays it gives the students availability to
mentor to tutor to take accelerated classes and um that that is in essence something that really can't be broken up that way. I would be very supportive if we had another pompanol like um that would be right for the community and
would be very supportive with that. Um when it comes to um Margate Middle, when I was going through this, I didn't quite see um part of the conversation that that did happen at Coral Springs High School, which was
and I think you put it in, but it just didn't specify Margate. um that they were very amendable to having um workforce um I almost said housing, workforce um careers and a a true partnership with
ATC. Um and I don't know what that looks like for a middle school. I mean, do we currently have that right now? So, um I'll let the region soup speak. I I do believe that there may be some semblances of it around um the county.
Um and I tried to and I apologize as it wasn't um as descriptive as that but but I do know that you are absolutely correct at at the meeting that evening there was great um interest and that's why I said an infusion of innovative programs and so we we can certainly look
at what does that look like a partnership um with ATC as it relates to Margate Middle School. We got Yep. And if I can add U, Miss Rert, one of the other things, as I said, we're going to bring information about um the autism options that works best for the
board in that same workshop. Thanks for the uh for the addition of Dr. Freed on the team uh who's the director of magnet um in and those sorts that we will be bringing that type of information to the programmatic components because we're
still meeting um with partners who want to partner with us in scaling out or implementing new innovative programs in our schools that are meeting in highpaying industry needs um in the area or beyond also. So we'll bring more
information about specifics um in the next workshop as we move forward um to talk about programmatic options. Great. Yep. Um thank you for that. So um I know that was a a big part of the conversation there and um I I also want to caution us
on making decisions boundarywise. um that we have to truly count on Joe and his team to really try to foresee into the future what would happen. And case in point, it was a surprise to me that Lion's Creek is down a little bit
um is so uh I was I was a little surprised with that. Um I I would not be supportive and having more kids go to Lions Creek that way. I think that's disturbing neighborhoods and honestly as someone that went through it um we never
in Coconut Creek talked about the city except calling it Coconut Creek. We all had our schools and we were all in Coconut Creek. The boundary issue and I'm not going to say it again split us right in half. So it is I I I feel the pain Rebecca because we live through it
and we still do. But it is good to know that we have to truly as board members make sure that we know the enrollment for all our schools even if it appears that your school is is overcrowded and it's not. So there's there's an issue with there. Um so I would assume that it
would be open for choice. So that would be available for uh students that want to go there at this point. Um but that's really all I have for now. Um, I did did want to say yes for the extra programs with Cambridge, but I wanted to ask the
superintendent when we come back to it to make sure that um people are going to know easily by the summer what programs are going to be at their middle schools because that's, you know, we want to get them to to make sure that they're either staying or choosing our our middle schools.
Great, great point. Absolutely. They'll know way before summer. Okay. And I think did I answer the questions that I needed to? I think um I think I'm gonna go over some of the the newer proposals at the end um to get some feedback from the board because
there were a few that many of us have not weighed in on yet. So um Right. I think that's good for me for now. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Ca. Thank you, Chair. um some general comments and and thoughts about this
this whole process and what this board uh has to do here moving forward. Uh first and foremost, Dr. Dr. Valerie Wanza. Uh, a special kudos and thanks to you for all of your hard work and putting all this together
and your and your entire team, the meetings up and down the county over the last uh it it it feels like it's been like six months, but I know it's only really been uh most of of September. So, thank you for all of your for your efforts and your preparation and your
hard work. all the parents who participated uh in those meetings, your engagement, your thoughts, your comments, your feedback was really was really just overall tremendous. Um I had the um the
pleasure of of attending the uh session at Coral Springs High School. Uh, I also made it a point to watch uh the remaining portion of those sessions uh on the Beacon broadcast either live or excuse me over the feed. And I I cannot
say um how encouraging it was to see those parents, to see those community folks, and to see our students uh engage with us in this process. their comments, their feedbacks, their thoughts, and their suggestions. Uh, just overall
very, very encouraging, and I'm glad that they were able to be a a part of that process. I'm glad that their voices were able to be heard. To the folks that attended the session today and spoke, I know there were a lot of you, although it looks like most of you have have thinned out, beat the traffic, probably
a smart move. Uh, but to those who who came today, took time out of their day to speak, uh, we appreciate you. We hear you and I and most importantly I want to thank you for for coming and for sharing your thoughts and your insights uh with
us. Again very encouraging to see uh so many folks engage in this process. Um Miss Thompson your article yesterday um I want to thank you personally for writing that. I think it took a lot of courage and a lot of guts to uh put
yourself out there. Uh I I I know I speak for for my my folks in in District 6 and certainly the whole community. We're thankful for your transparency and your openness. So, thank you for taking the opportunity to to write that. Um you know, these these decisions that this
board face are are certainly are difficult ones and they're hard ones. Uh I understand the loyalty that the parents, the neighbors, the relatives, the students feel to these schools, these local schools. A lot of you, you
know, it's a generational thing. Your mother went there. Your cousins went there. You have family members that went there. You have a lot of friends you went there. It's it's deeply rooted into the community. I can certainly appreciate that. Uh I understand the
history and I obviously understand the loyalty and the desire for those uh institutions to remain open for future generations, for your kids, for your grandkids. I went through the pipeline when I attended uh Broward County Public
School System. Started Maplewood Elementary, went to Ramblewood Middle School, which incidentally is is one of the schools that are is on our list, and I finished at JP Terra High School in 2001. I went through that that feeder school pipeline.
And quite frankly, this is how things are are supposed to work in a perfect world. But today, we face the reality that we're not in a perfect world anymore. In fact, we're we're far from it. We know the numbers. We've heard about it. My
colleagues have all talked about it. Thousands and thousands of students have left our district or leave our district every year. Uh I I I think the superintendent mentioned 50,000 over the last 20 years. That's a lot. And we did that analysis um in comparing how many
elementary schools that would equate to. So clearly we've been on the decline for for many many years at this point. Yet despite all this we still here are operating like it's the early 2000s. Uh and this has to stop.
Drastic change in these situations is in fact uh needed. We have to give some very serious thought about closing these schools. And if we don't, and we heard uh Dr. Holes mentioned it, we heard from Mr. H,
Mr. Sullivan, if we don't act, we face the reality that the state might act for us. So certainly, while this we still have the ability to do what we believe is right as board members, we have to take swift action.
And before doing this though, in all fairness, I think it's only right and proper that we look at the financial impact and the financial benefit of taking such drastic type actions that are being contemplated
in these meetings and these discussions and these conversations. In looking at the presentation that was prepared today, uh there's a slide. It's on page 45. And what that talks about is the savings value, the financial impact
that the district would realize if in fact we closed um our institutions. Uh for example, if we close an elementary school, that leads to an estimated savings of $1.8 million. If we close a middle school, that would
lead to an estimating savings of $2.7 million. And if we close a high school, that would lead to an estimated savings of $4.3 uh million. So, Mr. Mr. Superintendent, we have those breakdowns that are
provided to us in the uh in the presentation here, but there's some things that I'm missing that I would like to know, and I think my constituents and and the taxpayers of Broward County should know as well as my colleagues on the board. I would like to know the fair market value for some of
these buildings that we are contemplating closing and how much that could generate for the district whether we decide to ultimately sell those or lease those. So what I would propose Dr. He and and hopefully you'll tell me this
is possible that we engage a real estate professional or or use someone that we already have access to with a consultant and when it comes time that we we're putting this list together, this this final list, if you will, before we vote on any anything that's final as far as
closures are concerned, I I'd like to know the fair market value of some of these bill of some of these schools if we were to sell either the the building and the land or combined or whatever or if we were to lease I'd like to have an idea what the financial impact of taking these these
measures would be to the community. I want people to understand that, you know, we potentially have the ability to recover, I would suggest, hundreds of millions of dollars depending on how how how many buildings we close and we sell
off. And I think perhaps if we're going to make the hard decision to close some of these schools, perhaps the pill is a little bit easier to swallow when folks understand the amount of money that we are are going to be recovering for um
that process and how we can reinvest those dollars back into the community. I think we've heard and and I've know we've gone over with with Broward Estates about um you know there's certain funds that we have to take and it has to be used for that and and I
think it was Miss Thompson who also uh had that uh as part of her presentation about how we're going to reuse the funds and and at this point I would agree we should probably go back into those communities. But I I think in all fairness I would like to know Mr. superintendent if this is something that
can be uh accommodated. So we have a realworld understanding of the dollars that we're talking about before making these ultimate decisions. So if you go to page 54 of the presentation, it already has the the leasing rates annually um for uh an elementary school
and a middle school. So roughly about $2 million uh annually as far as our revenue from leasing an elementary school and roughly about um let's call it 3.5 3.7 for a middle school. But um I just But you're talking averages. Averages. Yeah. I'm talking specifics.
So let me ask you this. I just want to make sure what the if I'm correct with the ask for the schools in this presentation that we are recommending um to close to K through 12 students you
want the um annual leasing revenue and also an appraisal for those buildings. I think the Okay, so so let me let me go back for a second. Um, I I appreciate the the average numbers in here because I I did see those, but I want what I
would like when the when the before the final decision is is made, I'd like specifics. So, for instance, and I'm not going to I'm not going to call out any specific school by name because I I I don't want to do that. So, if we're going to say school A, school B, and
school C are going to there's going to be a a decision that's going to be made by the board as to whether or not we're going to close school A, B, and C. Before that vote comes to this board, I would very much like a real estate professional to report back to us and
tell us that the fair market value of building A is 50 million, the fair market value of building B is 75 million, and the fair market value of building C is is 20 million. And within that that fair market value report, I'd also like to see the fair market rental
value for building A, if you were to do it on a standard um 12-year lease with a with a 3 to 5year renewal option, it would be X dollars X dollars a month. Understood. I I would like to see um those specifics as opposed to just I
mean I appreciate the the averages on on on the page, but I'd like to see the specifics as as on an institution by institution basis before we make our final decision in in December or January whenever the the final.
So um understood. So I know we can most likely get you the leasing information because we can do that internally. the uh real estate professional or appraisal that will bear a cost. So, I just want to make sure as a board do that we have consensus for that aspect and then I'll
lean into Miss Paul to find out the a timeline. Could we appraise that many buildings prior to bringing the final recommendation in um January? Let let me let me clarify because obviously I understand what goes into a real estate appraisal, right? I'm not
looking for a detailed real estate appraisal. I I'm looking for um in a residential world, we would call it a comp, right? It's just a a basic sliding scale type number. Like we think this building is between 50 and and and $60
million. I don't want a full out appraisal that, you know, we're going to have to go in and do inspections and get people on the I don't want all that. I want a a commercial building comparable number of what we have on the list. And that
that's sliding. It's usually between like 10 or 15,000 in the residential world, right? I have to imagine in in commercial world, it's probably close to that as well. That's all I'm asking for. Not a formal uh I don't I don't want comparables. I realize I will take that. So, understood. It still bears a cost.
So, I know I'm going to need consensus from the board, but I want to miss Paul to if there's any additional information to weigh in on timeline. Uh yes, sir. Uh to revisit what you what you see on page 54 is that scale is based on a commercial rate uh for
leasing. So, what we would provide is pretty much the same as what you see on page 54 for each building. And so, we would go by the commercial comps, square footage, that sort of thing. Uh and I
would have to uh respond back to the superintendent in terms of the time element associated uh with this. Is there a cost for not the leasing part but the the actual value of the
determining value of the school with a real est with a commercial real estate professional? If we if we do it internally we can just look at some of the comps but typically for something like this we we do uh get a a company we have a couple of companies on contract to this.
So it would not be a current it wouldn't be an additional cost. I just want to clarify whatever uh spending authority we have on the contract. Okay. All right. So, it it sounds and sounds unlikely that this is a real possibility and that's fantastic. Um I know the ask or I
I I thought I heard the ask was made with the Casey Wright building as well for as far as the as far as the comp and that's great. Um Dr. Heepern following up um still on the Casey Wright aspect. Um I heard from obviously Dr. Zean and
Dr. wholeness about potential desire to have that building sold or this building I should say sold. If that is the case, I guess the next obvious question is where would we go, right? And wherever we go, is this a situation where we'd be
moving into a space that is not being fully utilized uh that we can just kind of slide into or is this something where we now have to go and rent another building that's going to be more cost to the district and the taxpayers? So, um we will find a space that's not fully
utilized if if the um plantation middle school option is um supported by the board with transitioning the middle school into a 6 through 12 with the high school. Uh we may be able just to we need to evaluate how much space the security safety and
security team will occupy to see how much space we will have available for um board meetings housing some of the um cabinet and other other staff. So we will have to look around to make sure we can actually accommodate ourselves in
that in that particular space. It's centrally located. Um that conversation's been brought up before. It's probably about the third year I've heard this conversation. Um, so we would look at see if we can accommodate ourselves in that space. If we have to um find a space outside of a school, of
course, we'll have that conversation with the board, but we would look at our own internal space first that's centrally located. Fantastic. And and lastly, Dr. Hepper, we heard from a lot of parents um this afternoon and and incidentally, I've I've I've heard this
from some of my constituents as well about the autism charter. um realistically and understanding the different needs that would be required to go into a fully functional autism charter school, what would be the time
range in which we can get something like that operational assuming that that is ultimately the will of the board and we go in that direction. So I can tell you for district operated we can get that up and running for the following school year. This upcoming 20 was it 26 27 school year. For uh charter option we
will have to talk with um charter schools that may be interested in in um you know working with us and having us actually manage the charter school um to see what their timeline would look like to get it up and running. But I know for us district operated we can get that up and running by the by the beginning of
next school year. Okay. So, this isn't something that's like a five-year plan. I mean, this is something that we can turn on very quickly. Okay. Um, I thank you. Nothing further for me. Thank you. And before we go to a second round, um, I would, uh, like to go. Um,
so I will reiterate my appreciation for everyone who has participated in this process. um from our staff to the community uh to the parents especially to the students who um at every meeting
I was at spoke really passionately and eloquently about their communities. So thank you. Um I kind of want to start with some big picture pieces. Uh so number one as we go through this process um moving forward and for you
know future years I want us to think about communication. Um it was really encouraging to hear Mr. Sparks say today that uh this is the first time he's felt good about this process. Um and that we don't often hear
feedback like that during painful discussions like what we're having. Um, so kudos uh to staff um for for making that possible and making some members of the community finally uh trust us a little bit. Um, with that said, uh, we
did hear from like the city of Dana Beach. Um, I've heard from different school communities a little bit about being blindsided. So, they showed up to a meeting and the first they heard about a certain proposal was a flyer being handed out. Um, so I I just want us to
think about I know that that staff and the superintendent went and met with the cities. Um, but I would like us to just think about overcommunicating in the future. Um, one thing that really resonated with me uh especially during the Stranahan uh
meeting was around marketing and I think we have an incredible opportunity with our students um to do some student generated marketing. So h hearing the students at Straahan High School talk about the amazing things happening at Straahan High School and seeing the band
um it really you know got people excited especially the alumni um about sending their own children to Strain. So I hope that part of when we're talking about redefining we're redefining our district centering on student voice and I think
like you know a lot of uh student centered content uh in student generated content would be really really interesting and fun um because kids we heard in the in the workshop uh two weeks ago that they you know trust each
other and um take their word for it better than than when it comes from Um, so I just had to make that point. I think uh to repeat something one of my colleagues said earlier. Mr. Sea, I think you read
my notes. Um, because I was going to ask about the financial impact of each of these proposals. I think like moving forward, I would really like to see for each of the the proposed strategies, what would be the financial impact of
that? Um, and and I want to come back to Well, no, I'll just say this right now. Does the slide on page 45 about we would save x amount of dollars if we close an elementary school tell the full p I feel
like we're missing some context there. So, um, for instance, if and and I want to before I say anything, I do not support closing Forest Glenn. So I I want to but I'm just using this as an example. If we
were to close Forest Glenn and utilize it for another district use, are we saving what is it $4 million or $3 million? So if we So there's the context is different per school because you have different number of support staff,
principles, APS, clerical, custodian, and all those um other tangible things. Um, so if we go by the average that's listed here for Forest Glenn, if it was to close outright to K through 12 students and not utilized for district use at all, you would save roughly
around 2.7 give or take um some dollars depending on the context for that school. If it was to be used for district use, because we are still utilizing utilities, uh we may be utilize still utilizing custodians, it will be less because it's not kids in
the building. So you can take off on my average uh conversing with the team and getting some numbers for a middle school you probably can take off about four minus about $400,000 um let's call it $500,000 to because of you got to pay for utilities. You have
to pay for maintenance operations and things like that. You're not paying for a principal assistant principles and other support staff and and the additional needs of custodians based on the number of kids in the building. So you would have some savings, but it wouldn't be the same amount of savings
if it was used for district use. Got it. So I just want us to be real about the the financial impact. And well, let me go back. Would on page 45 or on slide 45 where it says to close an elementary school, we would save, and this would be full out close, not for
other district use. We would save 1 million. Is that annually or is that a one-time savings? Technically, it's annual because you're not paying for that principal. So that's just the principal every year for that site. Got it. So the sitebased savings is annual.
Got it. So then if we were to do the the proposal for Forest Glenn, which would be to use it for another district use, we would save annually if we're if we're Yeah. about $500,000. No, you would save about $2 million
because we were going to use it for other district use. Correct. So right now the average is about 2.7 uh based on our rough calculations. If you take if we use it for additional district use um now you're adding back in the cost of utilities and and some maintenance. So
take off 500,000. Okay. Okay. I misunderstood that. Okay. So I think um next time it might be helpful to well I think I would ask that next time when we have these proposals we have an exact not an an estimated
dollar amount next to each proposal we we expect the financial impact of this to be this. Yep. Um and I would say the same thing for uh enrollment projections. So, which brings me to my next question, and I I kind of
go back and forth between these two two issues. Have we done like an afteraction report um based on the changes that we made in redefining last year? Yes, we've looked at the the increased enrollment at those particular schools. So, there is an an increase in
enrollment. I think the goal for many of those schools is 75 to 100 for the um for the grade level um band. So how many goal for the students for sixth grade or whatnot to pay uh for some of the transition of those costs and so they
those schools have met their met their goals of of 75 students or more. Okay. Um I would really be interested in next time also being presented with that information but moving forward for these for the
these proposals I think it would be very helpful for us to have some enrollment projections for each proposal. So again, just to go back to the Forest Glenn, like if just because that's easy, again, I do not support closing Forest Glenn. Um, so I want to be clear with that. I
if we were to do that, what would be the impacted, you know, the impacts of of that as well as the impacts of expanding the K8s? Um so I think for me uh a financial impact for each proposal and enrollment pro
projections for each proposal as well as looking at some sort of afteraction report from the changes that we made last year by expanding some K8s and the changes made at um Broward Estates. Um and if I can um add u madam chair. So
some of this will be slightly about enrollment projections more so uh and some of it is about consolidating because there's just been a perennial loss of students in certain areas of the district. So when we're consolidating
schools, it's not so much more about um increasing enrollment more so than doing something that's more fiscally responsible and consolidating schools for maximum impact of the funding. But we do for programmatic changes of schools that we're not consolidating.
Those will be more so about um yeah, just to clarify. Yeah. Yeah. No, I hear you. We'll add all that information in there. Thank you. Thank you. And I I guess what I maybe I should use a different word. So like um financial imp enrollment change estimates or something
like that. So like for instance if we were to do an autism school a special autism school whether it's a a district managed charter or something else what would be the impact we would expect on our clusters because there are several schools in my district that have very
substantial thriving clusters. would would we expect that that autism school to pull from the clusters um just so we we like can make a fully formed absolutely that because I think once we give the survey to the parents that um have eligible students that can go to a
program like that it'll be better data for the board to make a decision if we have send that survey out and 98% of the parents say no I'm not taking advantage of that right that's a different decision versus if 20% and 30% say yes so we'll have that data and in in addition like you know
changing the boundaries and and things like that. I would really like to see some projections around like how that would play out. Um I agree with Miss Bulman uh in the idea that you know we are asking the
community to upend a significant part of their lives. Um and if we are going to ask that of our communities in closing a school or consolidating a school um we need to
do the analogous thing at the district. So I for for lack of a better term closing departments um and I know that sounds scary uh but I think both symbolically and financially and
pragmatically that's what makes sense. Um, so I I think that we really need to look at that as we do the org chart um and the budget. Um, to speak to the Whidden Rogers Seagull proposal, um,
to be very transparent, Seagull has a very special place in my heart. Um, and I would encourage all of my colleagues to go visit When Rogers and Seagull. um because I would anticipate that you all have students from your district
attending those schools and the things that they do at those schools are are very uh they're beautiful and I invite you I hope you all come to their graduations uh next year as well. So I just need some reassurance um about a few issues if we are to move Seagull to
Wooden Rogers. So number one, would the the services and programs for our parenting students be maintained at Whidden Rogers if we were to Yes. Um we've evaluated the possible
consolidation and it more than um has the facilities to meet the needs of the of the current program uh programs at um Seagull. Okay. And so I know that um both schools have extra support for students. Would
those supports follow the seagull students? Yes. Okay. Um and we would still maintain the child care aspect for the students and our employees at Wooden Rogers. Yes. Okay. Um we we plan we don't plan on diminishing
um any um program um from Seagull during that transition. Got it. Okay. Um I do not uh I I believe one of my colleagues I didn't hear consensus, but I do not support giving up both of those properties. I think these uh these schools really I
encourage you to visit. They really provide important um programs for our students who might otherwise be overlooked um and and they do really incredible things. So I uh and I support if we are to move the seagull students
to Wooden Rogers, I would support um allowing the city of Fort Lauderdale to use the Seagull property. What would that look like? would we be looking to sell or to lease or what what is the the goal there? Um the initial thought was to lease.
Okay. Um so we can actually maintain that property. Um if case you know down the line with if the pendulum swings and people start having more babies again alpha come on. Um and uh we may and if we need a property,
we can always, you know, negotiate and and do what we need to do if we need to build additional schools in in in the future. Got it. Thank you. Um I uh I am with Dr. Holes on the idea of not selling our school sites. Um I am
very interested in as we consolidate properties uh or or consolidate schools, I'm very interested in leasing. Um, I do very much support the idea that the people who currently work in this building should work at school sites.
Um, so I I am interested in exploring what can be done with this building. Um, whether that's selling or leasing and doing affordable housing and doing a profit share. Um, I' I'd be interested in multiple different options. um in that
given that the case the Kathleen Cight uh legacy is carried on wherever the the headquarters for the school board is um is moved. Um I do not support the expansion of additional K8s. Um
I support the partnership with Pemrook Park. I think that that was incredible. That was something I learned today about the the school lunches. Um, very cool. I support seeking additional proposals for North Fork as Dr. Hoes suggested. Um, you know, that's a very important piece
of land and I think that exploring everything available uh before making a decision would be wise. Um, I think that's where I am now. Uh, I
have Mrs. is Alhadf on the list to speak another if I could before we um transition. So um and you can help me out here Dr. Wanza. So Walter C. Young I haven't heard about that but if the board is entertaining something different than
what Walter C. Young is right now additional K through8s will be needed um because of Yeah. Oh if we close Yeah. for closing Glades. That's what I meant. Yes. if you close glades um and transition to a text, you will need the additional K8. I just want to make sure
that the board is aware of the the purpose of the K8s is to accommodate the need for more middle school grade levels um in the south due to um Glaze Middle transitioning to something else. Thank you for clarifying that. I am more flexible on that um depending on the
decisions that are made. Thank you. Um and I I support sorry I support Mr. server is uh wanting kind of an idea of what everything will cost. Um so I I have Miss Alhadf on the list to speak another time and then Miss Bulman and then if anyone else wants to speak
again uh please flag me. Thank you. So to speak to the K through8s I know in my experience in my district the K through8s the middle school part of it wasn't funded appropriately so they weren't um getting specials and then it ultimately failed. So, if we're going to
do the Kate 8 to model, we have to make sure that we're funding the middle school part of it appropriately. Um, in regards to the Casey Wright building and selling the Casey Wright building, I am open to that um
opportunity. I I think that having our staff actually in our schools is going to make our schools stronger. And so, I'd like to see what that would look like. And then the between the Seagull and the
Wilton Rogers, I would say look at the facilities assessment. See which one has a better building to to combine the two. Um and and I think that wasn't really talked a lot about today is the facilities assessments that we've done.
I think that is a strategic part of this whole conversation with all of these different schools and and so when this comes back to us again that we really need to look at that part of it and also
to look at feeder patterns and um the financials savings specifically on each of these decisions that we're that we're making. Thank you.
Thank you, Miss Bulman. Thank you. Um, first of all, I I wanted to add because I was going to ask this question anyway in a follow request. So, um, Miss Thompson had made a um an inquiry regarding attrition. And so I
just wanted to add to that because I think that hers was uh d I I don't remember what you asked exactly, but um I wanted to add to that to ask how many positions have we filled externally
since July 1st, 2025 um when a current employee had resigned, was terminated, retired, or otherwise left their position. And then if we've filled any of those externally, if you could provide a list of those positions
and the salaries and I have so that I'm noting I'm noting your Okay, thank you. I I'm happy to provide it and write it later. Um I support the looking into selling Casey, right?
um the North Fork, if we're really going to get into business here, I just um the North Fork uh situation, I'd like to get a little bit more information because we're throwing around this $10 million figure, but I was never under the impression
that we were getting the $10 million. Okay, so just so everyone knows, we're not getting $10 million. JA is getting $10 million. I additionally my understanding that I just learned is that we actually pay JA to provide our ser our students with the
services. So I'm having a hard time understanding why we would be giving land to JA potentially for free. Just wondering. Um my other understanding is that that's a
prime piece of real estate there. So I support Dr. Holes. I think we need to look into other opportunities. Um, we've got plenty of places that we could put JA if they're looking for something, but you know, if we're really going to get down to business and
people want our spaces and leasing opportunities and are uh definitely something that we need to be exploring. Um, then I think that was all that I had. And then with the seagull wooden Rogers, is
that is it an eitheror for the fire department or is that just for Seagull? It's not an either or. It's actually Seagull. They want Seagull and and Whitten Rogers is the better of the two. Um if you go out to Seagull,
it's more modulars or or portables. and Ridden Rogers has more um permanent uh buildings that just recently um received a lot of construction um upgrades also. Okay. So, so I support that. Um and then you know I I think what my colleagues
have said the we can't really make a decision on anything until we understand the financial impact and if we're moving all of these pieces around, you know, we heard from the community and I think we did I think did a really good job last year. I think that the, you know, the
new K through8s were funded very well. They were, the schools got a lot of attention that they needed. I know I can speak to that personally. So, um, if we can, we need to make sure that we're able to do that so that we're accomplishing what we're doing.
Otherwise, we're kind it's kind of an exercise in futility. So, we need to look at those. Um I I think that that's correct that we need to look at the financial impact and then you know ultimately we're going to need
an overarching business plan for our property and you know I' I'd really like to have an idea of what it looks like what the you know what the projection is of schools of hope and if that is a threat in Broward County if
that's something that we really need to be preparing for or if we can take a different if the market is saturated in Broward and we need to be looking at a different direction and figuring out how we can lease some of our properties and actually make some money off of them.
So, I I think that I mean I don't know if we do that internally or if we hire a consultant to do that, but I think we could make a lot more money if we were doing this quickly and acting and we had a professional that's very well-versed in this kind of thing doing that. um
because we need to figure out how we're making our assets work for us. So I I I would say the first step is we have to get some buildings offline if we're going to lease them first. But the second thing I want to point out to the board is on the October 21st first
workshop, the first iteration of the FCA report, uh, Miss Paul and Bureau Veritus will be going through that with details to give clarity around how that process works, what what does it entail, and then the, uh, uh, more reports will be coming out over the next few months. um
they are going to uh they're in a process of a RFP for master planner that will help a lot with what you're discussing as far as you know how do we um utilize or what decision does the board need to make about our properties especially the ones that have a high FCI
index um that are pretty close to their the end of life and what do we do with those properties because it doesn't make a lot of sense to continue to pour money into them. So there's a lot of decisions to make um moving forward. I I guess I'd like to know what our timeline is because it seems like it needs to be
faster rather than slower. And when we're talking I mean obviously like so many things happening that we need to be moving on in Tallahassee. We we understand that but at at the same time the process has to be very methodical so we don't make any mis missteps u for ourselves. Um so
I think more to come starting with the October 20 21st workshop on the FCA um and then the u a cadence um after that to really understand um our current assets. And I can tell you uh I'm this
just my opinion the um charter schools or other entities are not going to want to uh lease or rent a space that is not usable. Right? If you got a high index and it's falling apart and it requires a lot of money to to maintain, they're not going to want to use that space. So, um
the board will have some decision- making to do for ourselves in our district that I don't think u outside entities will be will be impacting us for those type of spaces. Okay. Yep. But I'd like to get an idea so I don't have to worry about Absolutely. Um and then just another thing to the point about the master planner. Um, what
exactly like what what kind of a position is that? And excuse my ignorance, but I mean it seems to me like we have an urban planning situation here. So, is it the same thing? This per, you know, because we have a lot of green space. There's a lot of potential partnerships
with all, you know, with all of our municipalities. Yep. And could our master planner be an urban planner? I I can have um Miss Paul kind of u provide some detail on master planner um as we've utilized in the past
and um how that iteration looks for for modern times. Good afternoon again board chair uh superintendent u burn and board members. So you pretty much hit on all of those things that a master planner will do. uh
they will engage with the community uh to um get additional information, start that conversation about uh what community needs uh that are most uh important to the various cities,
communities and so forth. uh they will look at uh the FCA data that we've selected and work in concert with staff bureau uh to also come up with kind of a a priority list uh based on the input we
get from the communities the board and so forth. So it it's just that what it says in the title, a master facility planner. Um looking at the whole system of our uh buildings from administration
buildings to schools to you know everything that every property element that we have and come up with the help us come up with the plan uh and present it to the board. And then more importantly too, it it it a master
planner also looks outward in terms of where do we want to be the next 5 10 years as a school district. Uh they'll incorporate um whether we intend to go out for a bond in 2028 and those kind of things and look at you know what makes
sense in terms of our footprint as a school district. um and just give us a a 360 view of the school district. So, I'm pretty excited about that piece. Yeah, I mean that sounds that sounds great. How do we how are we um selecting
said master planner? I am going to say it an RFP. Okay. Okay. Um that is it. Thank you, Madam Chair. All right. Dr. Hoes.
Thank you, Madam Chair. So, um I do support um the that the superintendent look into district manage um autism charter for possibly the south
and north. I am not and I will reiterate I'm not in favor of selling schools that we're repurposing. Um obviously if we consider selling the Casey Wright building and staff can move into some of these locations. Um I think
it's important that we understand that history tends to be cyclical where it repeats itself. So we may be underenrolled today but if we're not careful and we're we may become
shortsighted and 20 30 years from now we are overenrolled and we don't have space for students in Bar County schools. So I think that we have a responsibility not only to think of the moment but to think of generations to come as we move
forward. um you know just like population trends are cyclical, the stock market is cyclical um uh these are things that we have to consider and Dr. Hepern um from what I've heard I hope that if we're move if we're going to
have another phase that we don't call it phase three, we call it phase final because I don't think we want to keep doing this over and over. So I hope the next time we do this it's final phase and and and no longer um in numerical
progression type because I think the the community cannot absorb too much of this. All right, that's it for me. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Thompson. I just had a follow-up question on getting a master planner because if an
RFP would take like six to nine months or faster like how how quickly could that be done? The intent is to uh put the RFP out this
month. So, uh, and typically, you know, it it should not take as long as, uh, other things because we're just, um, looking for a firm, um, to do a specific
uh, item. So, I I don't foresee it taking six months to do to do this. I'll get you I'll I'll follow up with a a timeline for the board uh expedited timeline for but then it won't it's still wouldn't be done by January. Correct.
So quite honestly what I believe is important as we go through this process the master planner is looking at kind of where we are now and then where we want to be in five and 10 years. So it goes in concert with uh
this conversation that's happening right now. So you don't necessarily have to have the master planner in place by January to make the decisions you have to make. I was going to reiterate that too that this process is about addressing perennial under under enrollment in in our schools. That master planner is
going to be way beyond that. you may have a school that's overpop populated where it's the facility-wise is is uh doesn't meet the needs of of the students in the community because it's just outdated. And so in those situations, the board is going to have
to make a decision about do you build a replacement school and and those type of issues. So the the master planner is a wider scope than um than this. I
I just have a problem if we are going to my community and saying we're about to close five to six schools and now we're going to get a master planner and then maybe this master planner comes in and says, "Oh, actually you didn't need to do that." Like I I'm struggling with that.
No. to the master planners. So we our struggle right now is that we have perennially enrolled underenrolled schools, right? And so that's what's in front of us right now. A master planner would most likely give us the same information about
underenrolled schools that we need to do something to lessen our footprint. But in addition to all of that, they're going to give us information about what do we need to do with all of our existing buildings. if you have a comparable enrolled school or overenrolled school, this building is too old, you need to build a replacement
school um or you know those type of situations. So what we're facing right now is underenrollment and we're dealing with those issues right now in this process and using all the data that we have available which is some FCI data for the 34 schools that need to be
addressed. And so that's what's informed this process. the master plan. There is a a wider scope of work than what we're dealing with right now. This is a a lane that's narrowed about the perennial underenrollment for the past 10 years in certain schools in our district.
If that helps. Okay. So, I'll probably need everyone's help, but I'm going to try to land the plane to to get some information about some of the new proposals that I heard. Um, and if I don't capture that, I hope
you'll let me know. Um, but I heard the majority of the board support the expansion of some like career vocational training. Am I I heard one objection to that? Um, but I'm hearing additional objections to that, Madam Chair.
Yes. I just want to find out for do we need a motion to extend the workshop? I'm not sure if we're within the guidelines of the eight hours. Nope. Mr. Sullivan, would you uh No. Um the policy will change next next week, but until then it's two
separate meetings and I don't believe we started this workshop until about 11:45. So that would be about 7:45, which we do not intend to be here until 7:45. Yeah. So I heard the majority of the board support um some expansion of
career technical education. Okay. Um I believe Oh, I was asking for any objections. I know I heard yours, but um I I believe I heard the majority of the board uh
support the idea of exploring closing KCW and doing something as either selling it or or something else. Do I hear any objection to that? Okay. Um I heard some of my colleagues talk about wanting to re-examine uh the North Fork
situation, whether that's, you know, looking at JA or something else. Do I hear an objection to that? Objection. So I have one objection. Yes, Miss Rupert. Another one. Okay. So I hear two objections to ex exploring
more things at North Work, but I'm still hearing the majority of the board uh want to pursue that. Um and then I Mr. Civera proposed getting some estimates for our school sites. Um
do I hear any objection to that? Nope. Okay. Um, and I heard Mrs. Alhidef uh want to explore additional programming at Forest Glenn. Do I hear an objection to that?
Okay. Um, was there anything else that I left out or that Dr. Wanza and staff need? Yes, Miss Rupert. Same as Miss Alhade. More programmatic um situation happening at MA at Margate Middle School. Okay. So I hear Miss Rupert wanting to
explore more programming at Margate Middle. Do I hear an objection to that? Yes. The career. Yes. So I don't hear an objection to that. Okay. Um Dr. Wanza, is there anything else you need from the board?
Are we okay with the um recommended um modifications to the timeline? Are we Is everyone good with the recommended changes to the timeline? I'm sorry. Could you summarize this? I will have to go back and look. No. Um, it's okay, Miss Leonardi. If I
go ahead, Dr. W. So, um, essentially it is moving the community meetings to the three dates that we specified in the timeline. I think it's October 27th, November 6th, and November 13th, I think, is the days.
um as well as the boundary committee meeting on November 18th to do their um vote or to give their feedback for the recommendations that will um be further analyzed. And then um once the board sets its calendar after the
organizational meeting, then we can actually say, you know, when we're coming to the December workshop, the date the superintendent will issue his final um recommendations memo in December, as well as um the two January dates for when decisions will be placed
on the January board agenda and then when we'll notify the public. Miss Thompson, can we just go through the proposals because my community is so confused about what's going forward and what's not like the major ones where we're consolidating schools or closing
schools. I hear Forest Glenn, we're putting looking at putting programs in. But Dr. WA, can um your team go over what was captured? From what I understand, Um there doesn't seem to be consensus here
today to look at any type of boundary changes in the north as it relates to the middle schools. Only conversations around um programmatic um uh improvements, enhancements at the schools, right? So if that's the
consensus, then when we meet with those schools, we won't be talking anything about boundaries. um and they will not be a part of any boundary change process. when we get to the central um now that the board has
asked for um more proposals for North Fork then we would still have to you know work within some timelines and either the boundary of Northfor is going to remain the same or they're going to um you know transition to Walker or
something else but Northport would stay in the conversation. Yep. If you can stop right there. I think we we need consensus on that part about taking that building offline for the current K through five students. Yes, I support that.
And while we're looking at the other proposals, right, so we're going to go out and look at other proposals um including JAS for Northport, but we just need to know if we need to continue the conversation about closing that school for the current K through five students on in that building.
Yes. And chair, do you do you want us to weigh in if we heard things differently? I I thought the idea of Forest Glenn was we were going to look at programming as one option. We're still going to keep it on the agenda as a school that we could close as well. I think we're going off of consensus that we heard. So you you can add, but I
know Dr. W is going off of the consensus that we heard. I'm sorry. Did you hear consensus of not closing Forest Glenn Middle School? I believe I heard enough to say not to, but if I was wrong, then I'm certainly I can I would I would like to kind of rebid
that chair. Okay. Because I heard plenty of people that that said, you know, we need to do everything that's recommended and then more. So, um when I I asked about uh exploring
further programming, I meant uh per Mrs. Alhadaf's recommendation to not close Forest Glenn. So, let me clarify that. Um, does anyone uh object to not consolidating Forest Glenn? I do.
That's two objections. So, not a majority. Yes, Dr. I am supportive of both looking at programmatic um options for forest plan as well as leaving the option of closing
on the table. Okay. Three objections. So I just want to be clear when we go to the community we need to talk about either or. Um it is very difficult for us to go to a community and say hey we're closing this school but on the
other hand we want to talk to you about programmatic options also. So that's where the consensus is going to help us to to be very direct to get the exact information we need when we go out to the community instead of um going out talking about whatifs for both it needs.
So just this just what we need as a staff as we go out to be very clear to the community about what the expectations are going to be for that particular um campus. if you need that. I wonder chair if we can have a either or indication from our members rather than
just uh you know um something more casual. It seems like the superintendent would like us to say either programmatics or Yeah, that's what go with his recommendation. That's what I was asking for. Okay. Originally, Madam Chair, I have some questions as well. Go ahead.
Okay. So, Dr. Dr. Hepern um for Forest Glenn um how does the FCI compare to the schools to which the students will transfer to if if we exercise that option? I have to pull that up. I know Forest
Glenn had a um a higher FCI. Um it was 29%. Um the other three schools um that are that the students will transfer to what's how are those schools in better condition?
So we only have the FCI for Coral Springs and Coral Springs is 19.7. Okay. So, is there a reason we don't have the FCI for the other two schools to which the kids from Forest Glenn will transfer to the suggestion?
Hold on one second. We're going to go in the appendix. Here it is. Okay. Ramblewood is 10.4 and I saw Sawrass and Sawrass Springs is 16.2. too. Okay. So, the FCI for Forest Glenn is significantly higher than all of these
other three schools, which means that uh Dr. Hebrron, that would mean it's in more uh um it's exhausted its use almost. Okay. And what's the the capacity of Forest Glenn versus its current enrollment?
Go ahead. That was Hold on one second. The capacity is 1627. The enrollment is 935. And what percentage is that, Dr. W on? I I don't have my 57.5. Okay. So it's 57.5% enrolled which means
that it's uh would that be considered Dr. Heburn significantly underenrolled? Yes. Okay. So we have a school that is significantly underenrolled. We also have a school that that is considered uh use its almost its full use of its life. Um
and and we're in uh we're at a junction where redefining is um is necessary based upon what's happening. So I I understand that no one would want to
see their schools closed, but I also understand that if we don't act, others will act, you know. So I am supportive for that reason because if if we don't do something, the state is going to do something. Um so I'm supportive of of those students for the reasons of one
the school has exhaust its useful life and number two it's significantly underenrolled that those students are transferred within the schools within Coral Springs um the surrounding schools that are suggested. I am not supportive Dr. Heburn of those students going to Lions Creek but stay within the the
three schools mentioned. Um so yes I madam chair I would support for those reasons uh for us to consider uh closing Forest Glenn not selling the property and using it for district use. Mrs. Ala
I 100% disagree with you. Um as I say before that we are we have 19 other middle schools that are more enrolled than Forest Glenn. So if that's the case, then we should be looking at these 19 middle schools to close.
We need to put programs and increase the enrollment that way. Thank you. Thank you. I still did not see a majority of the board supporting closing forest Glenn. So I'd like to move on from that and maybe uh just for everyone's sake, we could go like proposal by proposal just to make sure
that we have we know where we are. If if it's just so I keep up, Miss Leonardi, if it's okay. I actually turned on page four. So I went by the the schools that are listed there. So I'm gonna go in that way if that's okay. That so my staff keeps up. Okay.
Um so um I did hear um or we did hear a consensus to continue the conversation as it relates to the Fairway and Sunshine. Do I hear an objection to that? Nope. Okay. Okay. Um heard um consensus around
Glades Middle. Do I hear an objection to that? No. Okay. Okay. Um Watkins, I heard that the um board appreciates the partnerships or whatever is going to be pursued with the town of Pimrook Park. Um and then um new
renaissance whatever um would result in that boundary in the Glades conversation. So they would um stay in the glaze hall around the um redesigning the school. So that would keep them in the conversation as it relates to how the boundary would be drawn. Um Addex
McNichol and Olsen would only be programmatic conversations. No um boundary or closure conversations. Um Bennett would stay um not necessarily in the conversation but support for um continuing them as the elementary for the sports academy. So, but nothing
around a boundary. North Fork um want they would stay and we're going to continue them for possible um for the boundary for consolidating them to another school. Um and then uh proposals and I will have a conversation um with Dr. Heburn about that what the proposal
concept would look like. um north. And just to add to that, I I would be very interested in also affordable housing doing some sort of that would be one of the proposals I would like to see. That that's okay. Thank you. Um north side, nothing um boundarywise, just
continue to support enhancing programming. Um Walker would stay in um because of the relation to Northport. And then um Thuga Marshall I didn't um capture I don't that's the one that I did not capture in that conversation. I
know that there's the potential strategy of a K8 but I didn't I need to hear that one. Um does anyone want to offer their thoughts on Thood Marshall? Dr. Holes. Thank you Madam Chair. So I did I did ask some qualifi um clarifying questions
to Dr. Heburn to ensure that it will not reduce the surrounding um student population. I've been assured that that would not happen for the surrounding elementary school. So, Dr. Edbrand, did you want to Yeah, that's correct. Because this K8 will be focused um the the students that
are outside of that boundary would be focused on um gifted and in dual language, which um which those students are spared across the whole um county. It's not just you you got a cluster of large clusters of kids in those surrounding
schools such as uh Sunrise Middle Benert all those schools they don't have large clusters like that. Okay. So I am supportive of that model the um K through eight. I I hear our district this district board member in support of it. So I will
support that as well. Okay. All right. Are there any objections? Okay. Okay. for um Stranahan it's really the programmatic piece and along with the marketing no um boundaries so that that would not be a boundary conversation like Halenell this is strictly
programmatic for Stranahan um and then for the next one with uh Bear Plantation Middle and West Pine and Plantation High they would all stay in the conversation um and there is the uh Plantation um combining of Plantation
Middle and Plantation High for the comprehensive six to 12 working with the um city of Plantation and then the um uh Bay Middle to West Pine. Okay.
Uh and then um the last one is in the Southwest. So um the conversation around looking to expand the K8s because of what would potentially happen with Glades Middle School. That's one. Um and
then number two, um we would ar as it relates to Walter C. Young, we will keep it in the conversation and bring back whether it's the transition of um extended grades or completely um repurposing the facility.
Oh, I have a flag. Can I add that looking to make one of if we don't make Welter C the gifted academy, making one of the K through8s that we create a gifted and dual language academy because that program type is something my community wants.
Okay. Just maybe not necessarily at Walter C. Thank you. Is there an objection to that? Sounds great. What was the What did you capture? So for Walter C. Young. Walter C. Young. We're going to keep it in the conversation for either the um 3
through8 gifted and dual language or a complete offlining. So what I would prefer is we choose one of the two. I would prefer we don't because we don't have enough information from either. There's also a potential partnership for
Pines Lakes with the senior center. Like there's just too much more information and it's not fair for my community to make a decision right now. Thank you. Gotcha. We're good. Okay. I'm glad we're all clear on that. Uh Dr. Zean, thank you. Uh we started today's
conversation with seven uh schools that have been explicitly called out for closing. How many did we end up with? the the only one according to my notes I think we're at um six cuz I think the only one was the um Forest Glenn one
came off but that was it. The rest are still there about you see something different. What's the one that came off? Forest Glenn. Okay. And the rest are there. So that's uh six with a maybe. There's a maybe
though. Isn't it maybe with two in Miss Thompson's area? Well, that's still in she I think she's in Walter C. Okay. Thanks, Chair. All right. Um everyone's has their thoughts out there. Okay. Um,
at the direction of the superintendent, the following agenda topics are tenatively scheduled to be addressed during the upcoming workshops. October 21st, training FSBA master board facilities condition assessment, FCA, policy 1000 on rulemaking and a budget
update. November 4th, rule development for HR policies, bond oversight quarterly update, collective bargaining discussion, and policy 1070 on advisory committees. Please note that the order of topics and the scheduling remain tentative and are subject to adjustment
at the superintendent's discretion. Um, is there any uh are there any suggestions for future workshops from my colleagues? Chair, you said um collective bargaining agreement. Is that closed door or open? I would imagine it's closed door.
Oh, no. That's uh that for this one, it's probably more of an open door discussion, but if it um goes into the realm of closed door, then we would do a closed door. Yeah, I'd recommend we do both then. Uh just as a matter of um being prepared for the
conversation going there. If we have it on the agenda, then we're clear with the public what we're doing. Does anyone object to that? I don't see Dr. Lozano, but I remember the ask about bringing information about all the bargaining um contracts to a workshop.
Um does anyone else have any suggestions about future workshops? I just have one more chair. Yeah, there's been some really robust conversation I think led by Miss Thompson and others on on this idea and Miss Bulman. Um that if we are going through repurposing, we've got to make
sure that we're doing uh cost-saving measures internally as well. So, if we're doing the budget in November, I hope a section of that budget discussion is how are we really answering the question that was deferred today on the reductions. I know there's a great list, but I think that we need to include that
in the budget conversation when it comes back in November. Can the superintendent accommodate that? Yes. Um, so we're going to talk about cost-saving measures, um, possible reductions. The only thing we won't get explicit about is personnel. Um, that will come later on in the spring. um
just to not put our system in upheaval um in those discussions in this time of the year. So, yep. And just to clarify, um the superintendent wants to do that in the October 21st, not November. So, I want to be really clear. It's fine for that superintendent to come and tell
us what he's already done on October 21st. That's just a spreadsheet of things done in November. I suspect that what this board is asking for, maybe implicitly, is these cuts are going to continue. And so I view this as in-ear cuts in October and planning for budget cuts for the rest of the year in
November is my uh my recommendation. Miss Bulman, I appreciate that, Dr. Zean. I agree with that as well. Um I think in one of the and I don't remember where we stand with this so correct please correct me if I missed the email but I believe we'd
asked for a transportation plan that would you know again because we have a lot of things going on to make sure that this is being addressed and that we're not so there's a couple of things um
uh I have to follow up on that followup just to be what the specifics were on on that. But I do know that transportation is working collaboratively with the magnet office as we sunset, consolidate magnets, regionalizing magnets to uh
which would decrease transportation costs. So there may be some information on that aspect we could provide, but not a lot right now because they're in the midst of working through all of that and and working with principles and schools just to let them know the changes that are going to happen and some of the magnets. Yeah. So, could we do a workshop on that
so that we have a preliminary cuz I I don't want to get to the point where we were last year where it's like, oh, we didn't No, a lot of that stuff will come early. Um, my hopes is that before the end of this calendar year, we can bring um some information back about cuz we have to get this information out to our
principles, our families about how the magnets are changing, which is going to also going to impact transportation and transportation hub concepts for many of those magnets um across the district. that's going to reduce transportation costs also and we really have to be getting ahead of it so that we so that people our
students and our parents know what we're going to be offering and I think there's definitely a way to again market it with our students because I think that was brilliant and it's like obvious and how did we not really think about that but good job obviously at RD um
because once once the the choice window opens you know We're not on top of it if we don't have these things in order already. So then what do we you know? So I mean this is like an emergency. No, it's urgent for us too. Yeah. Yep. It is.
Well, for you. Yeah, cuz I'm So I'm hearing that we will be having a workshop on transportation. Well, we'll be having a workshop about u magnets and all that which includes transportation. Got it. Yeah. We can't we can't have the conversation without transportation involved. Yep.
Got it. Anyone else? Um, I would like to propose it. This is not um immediate or urgent, but I would like us to have a better understanding of the college uh preparation that we're doing for our high school students. Um, I've been
hearing for years now that our our brace advisors are amazing and they are um overworked um and a little overwhelmed. And while I feel very passionately and I'm very excited about what we're doing with career technical education, um I
don't want us to also forget about um college prep. So I'm wondering if in the coming months, not maybe even this year, but sometime next year, if we would be interested in doing a workshop on um college prep and what we're doing to educate our students about applying for
college. No, got to do it. Absolutely. All right, cool. Okay. Anything else at this? Madam Chair, I don't have a workshop item, but I just want to I just have some comments. I was gonna get to that. Okay, got it. Okay. At this time, do you any of my
colleagues have anything to bring to the board or student successes to share? Dr. Holes. Thank you, Madam Chair. And I know board member Rupert is not here, but you know, Elie did it last year and we've done it this year. So, congratulations to Dillard on their well-earned victory at this year's Soul Bowl. Give them a round
of applause. They deserve it. [Applause] And um as she said for me to stop it, but as the board member for district 5, Dillard, awesome. And Elie is great, too. We we love you, too. The game
showcase skill, determination, and school spirit from both teams. Thank you to the community for their passionate support, uh filling the stands, and celebrating this tradition. I commend both Dillard and Blanch Elely for an incredible game and look forward to next
year's Soul Bowl. Congratulations once again to Dillard 6 through 12. Thank you, Dr. Holes, Mr. Sea. Congratulations to Principal Turner and the entire Central Park Elementary School for winning the How Low Can You
Go Challenge. This is a uh BCPS challenge which is now in its 13th year which encourages students to reduce their energy and their water consumption throughout uh the school year. Central Park Elementary
reduced its energy usage by $35%. Resulting in a cost savings of nearly $19,000. Fantastic job. You see the kids can do it, we can do it, too. And to celebrate the win, our students took place uh took part in a
high-spirited pep rally with the Miami Heat Extreme team. Uh Bernie was in the house. I had the pleasure of attending. We had um the mayor of Uptown, Dale, who's the MC at the Heat Games, also in attendance. The kids had a really, really good time. Uh really cool way to
uh to celebrate the victory and uh good for them for lowering their energy consumption last year. Thank you, Mr. River and Miss Bulman. I just I just wanted to highlight really quickly um our alternate student adviser who's also the president
of the SGAA at South Broward High who did an amazing job pulling off homecoming. I got to be torrentially downpoured on at the game. So I don't even know who won to be honest. But they were a little bit worried about the dance. They pulled it off. Everyone had a great time. excellent leadership
skills, planning, and it's awesome to be at the school and see how much respect that you have amongst your peers as well as along with us. So, keep up the good work. [Applause] All right, any other of my colleagues?
The scheduled order of business for this school board workshop of the school board of Brow County, Florida has been completed, seeing no obligation. And now we're joined the meeting. Thank you. [Music]