Sunrise explores options as Broward County flags two middle schools for possible closure
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Summary
Broward County identified West Pine and Bear middle schools as under‑enrolled and candidates for closure; the city manager said staff will explore interlocal agreements and other options to keep facilities in public use but emphasized the school board controls closure decisions.
City Manager Mark Lubelski told the City of Sunrise commission on Oct. 21 that Broward County Public Schools has identified two Sunrise middle schools — West Pine Middle School and Bear Middle School — as under‑enrolled and therefore candidates for closure review.
Lubelski said the county is using a benchmark of less than 70% of capacity when considering closure and that staff have toured both schools with the intent of exploring whether the city could use portions of the buildings for community programming or enter an interlocal agreement to reduce reported capacity. “We believe there is some potential for us to continue down this path,” Lubelski said, while noting security, facility condition and other hurdles remain.
Commissioners urged caution. Mayor Michael J. Ryan and others emphasized that any decision to close or consolidate schools is ultimately the school board’s responsibility. Ryan told commissioners and staff the city should avoid any appearance of influencing school board decisions while continuing to explore options that could keep buildings in public use if the board decides to close them.
Commissioner Joseph A. Scudo said he wants the city prepared with options, including potential city acquisition or interlocal agreements, if the board moves to close a school. “If they close those schools and then our kids are going to be bust out … parents are not going to be happy,” Scudo said, urging tours of the buildings and early outreach to parents and school‑community stakeholders.
Commissioner Latoya S. Clark said she attended recent town halls on the topic and urged the commission to coordinate with school board members and parents. Clark suggested the city consider targeted uses — for example, converting portions of a campus to parks or community space — rather than allowing sites to remain vacant.
Why it matters: Closing a middle school could reroute students, change feeder patterns and affect neighborhood services. The city’s early engagement aims to preserve public use of school property and mitigate neighborhood impact if the school board proceeds with closures.
What’s next: Lubelski said staff will continue discussions with school board staff and is prepared to host tours and coordinate outreach; commissioners asked staff to request school‑board representation at a future meeting to explain timing and criteria.
