Broward County Public Schools

Five seats on the Broward County School Board are up for election this year. Candidates include Maura McCarthy Bulman, Carmen Gimenez, Sharry Kimmel, Nicole Morst, Adam Cervera, and Jessie Bastos. The candidates present diverse professional backgrounds, ranging from local law practice and community service to education, corporate leadership, and school advocacy.

Miami-Dade and Broward public schools are facing declining enrollment and financial challenges, leading to school closures. Officials attribute the drop in students to declining birth rates, high living costs, and reduced newcomers, resulting in millions in lost funding and forced budget cuts.

School leaders from Miami-Dade Public Schools (M-DCPS) and Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) introduced new school lunch options and changes to free meal programs. New items include Wild Caught Salmon Nuggets and plant-based options, while funding shifts have ended universal free lunches in both districts, though some schools will continue offering free meals.

South Florida students returning to school in August can find laptops under $250 through various deals, with Florida’s back-to-school sales tax exemption valid until Aug 20. The article lists 10 laptop models and includes discount codes from Nike and Michaels for additional savings.

South Florida public schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties will introduce new cafeteria menu items for the 2026-2027 academic year. Families at non-qualifying schools must submit applications to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, with pricing details provided for schools no longer offering free meals. The school year begins between August 10-13, 2026, depending on the district.

The 2026–27 academic year starts between Aug. 10 and Aug. 13 for schools in Broward County, Miami Catholic Archdiocese, and Miami-Dade County. Florida’s back-to-school sales tax exemption ends on Aug. 20, with 10 highlighted deals on school supplies from retailers like Target, Office Depot, Staples, and Walmart.

Broward County Public Schools is expanding arts and technology programs, including 3D printing and virtual reality, as the district addresses declining enrollment and potential school closures. Superintendent Howard Hepburn confirmed the need for closures due to 50,000 vacant seats and budget constraints, while emphasizing efforts to prioritize student opportunities.

The Miami-Dade School Board has selected Rafael Villalobos as the new superintendent of public schools, replacing Dr. Jose Dotres. Villalobos was unanimously approved after a months-long process that included him and Ernie Lozano as finalists.

Broward County elementary schools will now offer at least three non-core classes like music, art, and physical education to attract students after enrollment declines. The district allocated $800,000 for this initiative and an additional $8 million for high schools to expand classes and balance class sizes.

Broward County schools are implementing changes for the new academic year, including free lunches for students at 141 schools via a federal program, while 80 schools use meal applications. The district is also launching a school bus camera program with AI technology and penalties for violating bus stop rules. Additionally, six schools are closed this year, and up to 10 more may close by 2027 due to enrollment declines.

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) has installed security cameras on 1,300 school buses to monitor drivers who illegally pass buses during stops. The system, managed by BusPatrol, includes license plate capture and traffic views to aid law enforcement in reviewing violations before issuing fines. Officials emphasized that the program includes a 30-day warning period starting August 10, with civil penalties beginning September 9, and that citations require law enforcement approval.

Broward County Public Schools held a meeting to address declining enrollment, aging infrastructure, and potential school consolidations. Discussions focused on repurposing closed schools, funding challenges, and plans for the 2027-2028 school year. Community input on property reuse was emphasized.

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) received 'A' grades from the Florida Department of Education. BCPS achieved this for the third consecutive year, and district officials celebrated the accomplishment at a news conference, emphasizing academic excellence as a standard.

Broward County Public Schools hosted an event at Nova High School to educate families about AI's role in education and prepare them for a technology-driven future. The event, led by Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn and School Board Chair Sarah Leonardi, addressed AI's benefits and concerns while emphasizing the district's commitment to providing resources for students and families.

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital hosted its first pediatric patient graduation, honoring seven long-term patients with various diagnoses. Broward County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn praised the event for supporting patients’ education during their hospital stays.

A Broward County public school teacher, Basil Billings, was arrested and charged with offenses including inappropriate relationship attempts with a student and lewd touching. Billings, a reading teacher at Dillard High School, was placed on administrative reassignment by the school district and ordered to stay away from the victim and schools.

A Fort Lauderdale teacher was arrested for seeking an inappropriate relationship with a student, including inappropriate comments, notes, and physical touching. Basil Billings, a reading teacher at Dillard High School, faces charges of offenses against a student by an authority figure and lewd or lascivious touching. He was placed on administrative reassignment by the school district and has a $35,000 bond with a no-contact order.

School districts nationwide are facing budget cuts due to declining enrollment, rising healthcare costs linked to GLP-1 weight loss medications, and other financial pressures. Over half of the 50 largest districts are poised to cut staff, programs, or services, with examples like Broward County Public Schools reducing 1,000 staff positions and closing six schools.