[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6465960,"mediaKeyId","5827668-f591d81944d97a5876065c6d355f05d1","parentId",5827668,"title","Student advisers tell Broward board they want more CTE, better Wi‑Fi and earlier vaping education","audioSeconds",5065,"startMs",368000,"endMs",5433000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827668-f591d81944d97a5876065c6d355f05d1&start=368&end=5433","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827668-f591d81944d97a5876065c6d355f05d1/thumbnail_368000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6465960/Florida/Student-advisers-tell-Broward-board-they-want-more-CTE-better-WiFi-and-earlier-vaping-education","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465960-7587120c031656d0e67140f55125cfca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144167&Signature=S0lGPIxNjAwRj5XnHLDipx4wtZUsYOSW12iATA1QXcj1opOjGo9yFSxP5~OUOwZRYBGXdVOLXUqVNaT3syB1VkeQ69Tr1b5zcM0n9JOOXSrGaKxaYuQqKArMaOkjxt8xmVWHxH5JIFJg30hwlFJb2-stIXSyhgF0H9D3g~nxPSq20-tenPWRokGQf4mxvKNifc0fm1NXiVXpRLosFx45mu0VPbj0wSprRCLQ9gvc-t2fn3osP4YpRXpt7~gGeok9OIAC8AqoGOF6CN8W-rkFhJZxnO1d0hXdAvZMSi7v2wj2bwQhD5RmrWfmJytTS8XjCimlsfvWPLbRXXE4M1L4hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Broward County Public Schools","date","2025-09-24T08:51:00Z","article","A representative group of students from Broward County Public Schools told the School Board of Broward County during a quarterly feedback session that career‑focused programs, reliable Wi‑Fi and more accessible counseling were among top priorities for improving student engagement and safety.

Student adviser Landon Sperberg, who opened the student portion of the meeting, said he represents the district’s roughly 250,000 students and outlined a roughly 80‑minute student agenda. “I have the distinct honor of representing our 250,000 BCPS students,” Sperberg said.

Students described successful career and technical education programs — such as medical academies, aviation and dual‑enrollment pathways — as critical draws. Ethan Rodriguez, a senior at the College Academy at Broward College, described access to college professors and campus clubs that allow students to publish research: “We have access to professors at the college who will assist us in conducting and publishing research in junior high school journals.” Several students said such programs can be competitive; one Cypress Bay student said a selective medical program admits “about 40 to 80 kids” from a much larger applicant pool.

On school safety, students said vaping remains a problem and that traditional adult‑led assemblies have limited influence. Multiple students recommended student‑made public service announcements and peer‑to‑peer outreach as more persuasive. One student said assemblies and posters are “boring” and urged a deeper approach that addresses underlying causes such as mental health.

Students also called for clearer, easier anonymous reporting tools and for adults to be more visible and identifiable on campus. Several cited “see something, say something” campaigns but said concern for retaliation keeps some from reporting; students suggested more prominent anonymous reporting channels and student safety councils as possible solutions.

Mental‑health and counseling access drew repeated attention. Students praised tutoring programs, mentoring initiatives such as Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders (MTL), and after‑school homework help, but several high‑school students described long waits for counselor appointments and reported that counselors are sometimes pulled into scheduling and other duties.

On facilities and resources, students pointed to persistent problems with Wi‑Fi, aging equipment and inconsistent air conditioning in some buildings. Gym and field conditions, limited textbook availability and the need for up‑to‑date lab and instructional technology were also raised. Multiple students said new devices were coming to the district.

Board members and the superintendent thanked the students and said staff would compile an after‑action report for cabinet review. Superintendent Howard Hepburn and other district leaders noted recent follow‑up after a prior student session and said the district had acted on issues raised previously.

The board did not take formal votes at the student session. Members and staff said they would work with student leaders and school administrators to follow up on specific recommendations, including student‑led vaping PSAs, efforts to improve Wi‑Fi and further examination of counselor staffing ratios.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Broward County Public Schools - School Board Workshop","oneSentenceSummary","A representative group of Broward County students told the school board at a quarterly feedback session that career-focused programs, faster Wi‑Fi, more counseling availability and student‑led anti‑vaping outreach would make school more engaging and safer.","taxTitle","Broward, School Districts, Florida","taxId",15571,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6465950,"Board leans to earlier start calendar after community survey; staff to present final draft for vote",181,13368000,13549000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827668-f591d81944d97a5876065c6d355f05d1&start=13368&end=13549","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827668-f591d81944d97a5876065c6d355f05d1/thumbnail_13368000.jpg","/articles/6465950/Florida/Board-leans-to-earlier-start-calendar-after-community-survey-staff-to-present-final-draft-for-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465950-a19fc5365a5892c8efa04a5f7841ef0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144167&Signature=UH0vFZDWbXXDtrSkW7AMoRAw1D8G9AJ-9u78BXA0On4iQrHJfwo7jxkQUyILCbzG0kuTSagH1cvly0GM8Tnr2c9mhdahACi~62fPk6oXXdrDu~TYrF3x3TPX3IUqGGef~QIo4xOLnTDkrtJ1MrnwvhdXAHRApvzvAKYgZLVX16FfFCCzECjXqD3gWOjJ7MgFGRWZa-QanNZsqJa0N7dh0-w~QD3c9PULYiP~kPK9vVwgOFOvcQqIg8SQps4i1hZa1UUz0L7hd0OO7w6iFuamlGsq-k7ZSHbfBeg-2qrj0NFjJurPOk~Avza8MUiMirpkVjbC0cD9cnzmAEI1r1iCgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School Board of Broward County reviewed two calendar options for each of the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years and indicated support for the board’s option 1 for both years after staff presented community survey results.

District staff presented two options for each school year that meet board guidelines: starting in early August, a full week off for Thanksgiving, and concluding semesters either before or shortly after Memorial Day depending on spring break placement. The difference between the two options for 2026–27 centered on the timing of spring break — either the later March week including Good Friday (which allowed an earlier end of school) or an earlier March break that pushes the last day into the week after Memorial Day.

A district survey collected about 26,000 responses; parents comprised roughly 70% of respondents. For 2026–27, roughly 80% of survey respondents preferred option 1. For 2027–28 the results were closer (about 60% for option 1). Board members discussed the results and the practical effect on graduations and scheduling, and asked staff to follow up on graduation dates once calendars are adopted.

Board members then indicated consensus in workshop that staff should advance option 1 for both school years and bring the finalized calendars back for a formal vote. No formal roll‑call vote was taken during the workshop; staff will present a final calendar item for board consideration on the board meeting agenda.","Following a district survey, the school board signaled support for option 1 calendar start dates for both the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years and asked staff to return the proposals for formal approval.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6465955,"Broward board trims and clarifies 2026 legislative platform; ESE camera language draws public comment",322,9798000,10120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827668-f591d81944d97a5876065c6d355f05d1&start=9798&end=10120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827668-f591d81944d97a5876065c6d355f05d1/thumbnail_9798000.jpg","/articles/6465955/Florida/Broward-board-trims-and-clarifies-2026-legislative-platform-ESE-camera-language-draws-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465955-0063e4241ccfc50598083373b043552d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144167&Signature=Z-RH05LaRfJea4U7vIkXyBex-i3YcLnvSlDYrsZJlQ8lckMDe7AILIR7ByTC8LTrCwwiVf70x~wil4fBtZHKhODxHTMmr3esXwXMJXDWyNDoGYDtVCDOXhFepscyn25Nq~PGaUIvs3EW88hFqyjjIVwhJXX3LlI82HFalqitP8QnuYrOysq4Tr09ytpvxCOTISfvw4tHEyaJz0knMyoeemGPFlBVku~B~yBCLoOeWc~mIa302r7w~1inZ4WHbFwUIm46RfxBMmik07p2Hdkgt2dlTur15MZVJck5A~wCCAkmixWz4Cb01xXWginJrb~Ll98p~NM6hJTKH9ToJtm-Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School Board members reviewed a draft 2026 state and federal legislative platform in a workshop session and asked staff to refine priorities, narrow the list for clearer advocacy, and return with a revised draft for formal board consideration.

Staff presented a concise platform covering state budget and finance, academic excellence, school safety and wellness, and local control over facilities. Board members urged trimming and prioritizing items to reflect likely legislative levers and to make the platform easier for legislators and staff to use during the session. Board member comments stressed focusing energy on a small number of achievable, measurable goals.

During public comment, Anna Corujo, vice chair of the district’s ESE advisory board, urged that the platform’s language on audio‑visual recording in self‑contained exceptional student education classrooms be rewritten so it does not include an opt‑out. Corujo cited the three‑year pilot for HB 149 and argued the recording provision was intended as a safety enhancement and that routine opt‑outs would weaken protections. “HB 149 was very explicit in the sense that it was a safety and security measure,” Corujo said.

Board members discussed options and legal context. General counsel Marilyn Batista said she had discussed the matter with the Department of Education’s general counsel, and the board agreed to pursue clarified statutory language: adding a specific exception permitting audio‑visual recording in self‑contained ESE classrooms as a safety enhancement, rather than language that would require an opt‑out process. Members also asked staff to explore whether a Department of Education rule could accomplish the change without awaiting statutory amendment.

Other items raised in the legislative discussion included support for the federal Alyssa’s Act (standards for emergency response and threat assessment), a proposal to seek legislative permission to redirect leftover state funds from the demolition and rebuild of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School toward an off‑campus memorial, and a general call from some board members to “level the playing field” by requiring comparable accountability for any school receiving public funds.

The board directed staff and the district’s lobby team to prepare a revised legislative platform that incorporates the discussed edits and to bring it back for a vote at an upcoming board meeting so staff and the district’s lobbyists can begin advocacy work before legislative committee season begins.","School board members reviewed a draft 2026 state and federal legislative platform, discussed narrowing priorities, and heard public comment urging removal of an opt‑out for audio‑visual recording in self‑contained ESE classrooms.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6465945,"Board reviews revised facility‑use policy, sees Facilitron demo to manage rentals and internal schedules",704,14776000,15480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827668-f591d81944d97a5876065c6d355f05d1&start=14776&end=15480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827668-f591d81944d97a5876065c6d355f05d1/thumbnail_14776000.jpg","/articles/6465945/Florida/Board-reviews-revised-facilityuse-policy-sees-Facilitron-demo-to-manage-rentals-and-internal-schedules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465945-b3744518358f8f3cfddeb37683703fc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144167&Signature=M0jDK4uHixCbBykMZe8oaL2ybste~xapQpqdM1haeSEYm-HS2qvLCh7ofSwN2WxUyKq~syIBg6HehqtqI4oz6ir4eV~wrcbInVidpD9wsoZN3aVLYHtl9eaC9AtQY1iJxuDX-VQwFHUxUtDGz-itTZt2l83J2N7OI0vpV5Xq1YBeTu8wJ6UcuI56XMZJpdPVk8-FgzJQsNHx4gLeOJDHIuTNjwZdmnfv~Z7pYhsgTqfKabyQQZAJqQJatPzjnzCGWHzx96LT3FHiREqw1KloXX6IyTHyAOw39OUT-f2trHqHW3-o1of827at0zhCeRcMR0mBgsJCWvbVoOzRPWtnqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School board members reviewed a proposed revision to policy 8020 on community use of district facilities and attended a live demonstration of Facilitron, the district’s facility scheduling and rental software.

Staff said the policy edits clarify user categories (school allied groups, nonprofit partners and third‑party renters), define which groups pay rent or custodial fees and which do not, and specify certificate‑of‑insurance requirements. The draft policy distinguishes “pie 1” and “pie 2” partner categories and describes circumstances when custodial, security and personnel costs apply.

Facilitron staff demonstrated the public interface and the district’s administrative view. The vendor showed how the platform lists and photographs rentable spaces, collects applications and certificates of insurance, enforces district‑defined rate categories, and processes payments. Facilitron said the system can verify insurance automatically, support mandatory services (custodial, security, utilities), and push calendar feeds to Google, Microsoft and iCal so internal school schedules can be reflected and administrators can see when facilities are blocked for school activities.

Board members emphasized the policy’s student‑first principle: school activities and extracurriculars should continue to have priority use. Several members also asked that internal school advisory councils and school advisory functions be treated as internal school activities, not external renters — staff said that language will be struck from the external‑user definition. Members asked staff to advance policy revisions and finalize exhibit language, and to work with Facilitron and operations staff to ensure internal calendars and blocked school activities are uploaded so public users cannot reserve spaces already assigned to schools.

No final vote was taken; staff said they will incorporate edits and return the policy for formal consideration at a future meeting.","Staff and vendor demonstrations showed how a new facility‑use policy and Facilitron software can manage public rentals, require certificates of insurance, and give principals and district staff internal visibility into campus scheduling.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Student advisers tell Broward board they want more CTE, better Wi‑Fi and earlier vaping education

Board leans to earlier start calendar after community survey; staff to present final draft for vote

Broward board trims and clarifies 2026 legislative platform; ESE camera language draws public comment

Board reviews revised facility‑use policy, sees Facilitron demo to manage rentals and internal schedules