The State of Florida is considering options, including taking over the Broward School System. The Florida Board of Education has found probable cause that the Broward School District failed to comply with state law, stating it owes about $80 million from a 2018 referendum to charter schools. The board gave the district until its next meeting on April 17, 2024, to comply.
The state board’s decision came after state officials pressured the Broward School District to pay an estimated $80 million to the county’s charter schools. The district had been addressing the charter schools’ claims in court but rushed to settle the dispute after Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz and the state board of education threatened sanctions.
Over the years, there have been threats of a state takeover, removal of board members who disagree with the governor from office, and financial penalties that would further punish the students of Broward County Public Schools. The state has previously engineered an unprecedented private takeover of Panhandle County’s schools, which could serve as a precedent and path forward for a similar action in Broward County.
Broward Has Invited State Intervention with a Long History of Scandal
The past four years have been a period of turmoil for the Broward Public School System, marked by a series of scandals, leadership changes, and inconsistent policies on school closures. With a revolving door of superintendents and a flip-flop stance on school closures, the district has faced significant challenges and criticism.
In addition to these corruption scandals, the district also suffered a major cybersecurity breach in early March 2021. Cyber attackers hacked into the Broward County Public Schools computer system and demanded a ransom of $40 million, threatening to release the personal information of teachers, students, and staff.
Leadership Instability and Scandals
The Broward Public School System has seen an unsettling trend of leadership instability, with four superintendents in the past four years. This frequent change in leadership has led to inconsistent policies and a lack of long-term strategic planning. The most recent superintendent, Dr. Howard Hepburn, took over in April 2024 following the sudden retirement of Dr. Peter B. Licata due to medical reasons. Licata’s tenure was short-lived, lasting only nine months. This pattern of rapid turnover has raised concerns about the district’s ability to provide stable and effective leadership. Additionally, the money to pay out contracts has not gone unnoticed by Broward taxpayers.
However, the leadership instability is one of many issues plaguing the district. A series of scandals have tarnished the reputation of the Broward Public School System. In 2020, a maintenance supervisor pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from an asphalt subcontractor following an FBI sting. A Sun Sentinel investigation led to the 2021 indictment of former technology chief Tony Hunter, who was charged with bribery and bid-rigging. That same year, a grand jury also indicted former Superintendent Robert Runcie on perjury charges and charged former General Counsel Barbara Myrick with disclosing confidential grand jury information, both related to the Hunter case.
School Closures Flip-Flop
The district has also grappled with the contentious issue of school closures. With more than 54,000 empty seats across the district and a continued decline in enrollment, the district has been considering closing many schools. Initially, the plan was to close or overhaul at least five schools for the 2025-26 school year. However, the number of potential closures could be much higher, with some board members suggesting as many as 40 schools should be closed. This drastic proposal has sparked intense debate. While some argue that it’s a necessary step to address the district’s dwindling resources, others, like Board Member Nora Rupert, have pushed back, arguing that schools are the heartbeat of every community.
Safety and Security
In addition to the closure debate, the district has faced criticism for its handling of school safety. A state audit released in March 2022 found multiple violations of safety protocols in Broward County Public Schools. This report highlighted the district’s ongoing struggle to comply with school security standards, a particularly sensitive issue given the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018.
In addition to these corruption scandals, the district also suffered a major cybersecurity breach in early March 2021. Cyber attackers hacked into the Broward County Public Schools computer system and demanded a ransom of $40 million, threatening to release the personal information of teachers, students, and staff.
Will the State Take Over
The Broward Public School System is at a critical juncture. The district faces many difficult challenges, from leadership instability and scandals to declining enrollment and potential school closures. As the district moves forward and makes the tough decisions that will shape the future of education in Broward County, will it be enough to stave off a state takeover? With Tallahassee just waiting to take control of a democratic stronghold school system, Broward County should be on its best ethical and educational behavior.