Broward school district officials hold first of 8 town halls to discuss potential options for several schools

Broward school district functionaries held a town hall to hear from neighborhood members on anticipated options for several dozen schools Wednesday s meeting held in Miramar is the first of eight expected in the coming weeks to discuss the second phase of Redefining Our Schools which evaluates enrollment numbers academic programs and school materials It s critical because we want to get feedback from our families and our communities noted Dr Angela Fulton Deputy Superintendent of Broward County General Schools With enrollment numbers down across the county district personnel mentioned meetings like this one are key We just really want to make decisions that are going to be best for the greater good of Broward schools so we can provide better opportunities for all of our students declared Fulton The first meeting focused on a handful of schools including Fairway Elementary and Glades Middle Those schools as well as more than others need to be addressed But so far bureaucrats are only listening before making a decision There are no predetermined choices that we have at this time but there are a large number of options on the table revealed Fulton Of unit the one option is possibly closing down chosen of our under-enrolled schools Various other options are repurposing our schools bringing more programs into certain of our schools changing selected of the programs Certain of those students in the affected schools yearned their voices heard They also joined the packed gym to provide their insight This is my sincere petition that every measure that can be taken to keep the doors open allowing further advance of great minds of future leaders announced elementary school trainee Liam Mitchell Glades is a perfect school which has nothing that requirements to be shut down announced middle school participant Angelo Russo School agents know that their tough decision could impact families across the county These type of enrollment changes they aren t unique to Broward County noted a parent at the meeting The district reported compared to last school year they ve lost nearly students resulting in a million funding decrease in funding It doesn t look like that enrollment is going to be recaptured in the near future which is why we need to make a few decisions right now for the students that we are serving revealed Fulton Following these town hall meetings personnel will hold a workshop and then will make a final decision before the end of the year Any changes are expected to take effect in the next school year For more information on the Redefining Our Schools Initiative click here