Here in Broward County, we take seriously the value and power of public education. Every day, more than 180,000 students walk into our classrooms carrying their dreams, determination and the promise of a brighter future. As Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, it is both my honor and my responsibility to serve them, along with the families, teachers and school staff who support their success.
I am immensely proud of our school district’s recent academic progress. For the 2024-25 school year, BCPS earned a district grade of “A” for the second consecutive year from the Florida Department of Education. More than half of BCPS-operated schools earned “A” grades and 96% either improved or maintained their school grades. The number of “C” schools dropped by 51%, and for the second year in a row, we have no “D” or “F” schools since the state began assigning grades to schools in 1999.
Howard Hepburn is superintendent of schools for Broward County. (courtesy, BCPS)
Our graduation rates are equally encouraging. Our federal graduation rate reached historic heights at 91.4%, and our traditional high schools reached a record graduation rate of 97.5%. College and career readiness is also on the rise. The overall College and Career Acceleration rate increased to 74% last school year — a five-point increase from the previous school year and a 13-point gain since 2022-23. This means more students are earning college credits or industry certifications while in high school.
In addition, the 2026 mid-year results for the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) show the district outperformed the state across all grades in English language arts, as well as in math across all elementary grades and in sixth and seventh grades. These results are a promising indication of where we are headed as we approach the end of the school year, and they reflect the dedication of thousands of teachers and support staff who show up daily to prepare our students to live, work and thrive in tomorrow’s world.
As we celebrate the district’s academic momentum, however, we must also confront a difficult financial reality.
Over the past decade, BCPS enrollment has declined by more than 38,000 students, resulting in more than $350 million in lost revenue. Projections indicate we could lose another 9,000 students next school year due to lower birth rates, rising housing costs, the growing use of private school vouchers and changes in immigration policy. At the same time, the size of our workforce has only modestly declined, from 21,835 employees to 20,847, while operational costs have continued to increase. Currently, expenses have outpaced our revenue due to past inaction, and the district is now facing an $80 million budget shortfall.
Responsible leadership requires that we address this financial crisis thoughtfully, strategically and decisively. Immediate cost-saving measures are already in place, including districtwide freezes on hiring and out-of-county travel.
To strengthen the district’s financial stability, the Broward County School Board and I are implementing a strategic staffing and operations realignment for the 2026-27 school year. This plan reduces the BCPS workforce by approximately 1,000 positions, with the majority of those reductions occurring at the district level.
The realignment is designed with the goal of protecting schools from losing key personnel and essential services. Teachers, school-based employees, bus drivers, school facility service personnel and cafeteria workers are critical to our mission and daily operation of our schools.
The reductions will be achieved first through attrition, followed by targeted layoffs that will take effect June 30, 2026. The district will begin notifying affected employees in late spring and is partnering with CareerSource Broward to assist with job placement, resume and interview support and access to training opportunities.
The plan also includes reducing district facilities, cutting contracts and overtime costs, improving transportation efficiency and leveraging technology to help the organization operate more effectively. Most importantly, these actions are not about managing a single year’s budget. They are about positioning BCPS for lasting financial stability in the face of a rapidly changing education and economic landscape.
Throughout this difficult but necessary process, I am committed to transparency, accountability and the responsible stewardship of public money and resources. Our challenges are great, but so is our resolve. By rightsizing responsibly now, we can help ensure the district’s long-term ability to fairly compensate and retain our staff while continuing to deliver the high-quality education our students deserve.
We are shaping the next chapter of Broward County Public Schools, one defined by high performance, innovation, financial stability and a renewed commitment to every student we serve.
Howard Hepburn is the superintendent of Broward County Public Schools.