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Staff flags 58 underenrolled schools and outlines clusters for boundary review
Summary
District staff told the Broward County School Board there are 58 schools below a 78% capacity threshold (39 elementary, 16 middle, 3 high), and presented cluster maps and survey results to guide possible boundary changes, program redesigns and facility reuse; staff will return with options in August.
District staff told the Broward County School Board on Thursday that 58 schools are below the district’s 78% capacity threshold, prompting staff to propose cluster‑based reviews and broad community engagement before any attendance‑boundary changes.
"There are 58 schools below the 78% capacity as outlined in policy 8010: 39 elementary, 16 middle and 3 high schools," said Valerie Wanda, chief strategy and innovation officer, during a staff presentation that previewed maps of elementary, middle and high‑school groupings.
Staff said the district will examine clusters in the northwest, central east and west, southeast and southwest and will take a community‑driven approach to options such as program redesigns, magnet updates and potential repurposing of underutilized facilities.
Two parent surveys conducted with Hanover Research — of current BCPS families, charter families, choice applicants and homeschooling families — identified school culture and climate, course offerings, instructor support and school safety as top drivers of family choice.
Wanda said staff plans to return to the board at an Aug. 26 workshop with a full timeline and processes for community engagement and options to address underenrollment. Board members repeatedly emphasized that any boundary changes would not be immediate and that community process is essential.
Board member Holmes cautioned that repurposing schools such as North Fork will require "significant community engagement" and should not move forward without adequate public input.
No formal decisions or votes were recorded; the item was discussed at workshop level and staff will bring more detailed proposals in August.
