After a revolving door of top leaders, Broward School Board members have finally found a superintendent they fully support.

Superintendent Howard Hepburn aced his first yearly evaluation from the School Board, receiving a top score of highly effective from all eight members who filled it out. Adam Cervera, who joined the School Board in May, opted out of the evaluation, saying he wasn’t around for most of the review period.

The others were effusive with praise.

“His ability to remain composed under pressure, make timely and informed decisions, and inspire confidence among staff, students, and stakeholders has been a defining aspect of his leadership this year,” Board member Lori Alhadeff wrote.

Hepburn, a former school administrator in Palm Beach and Orange counties, started with the district as chief academic officer in 2023 under then-Superintendent Peter Licata. When Licata abruptly announced his retirement less than 10 months into the job in April 2024, board members immediately appointed Hepburn to replace him.

Hepburn became the district’s sixth superintendent in less than three years, including two who served in the role temporarily. The School Board was divided on previous superintendents, with Licata, Vickie Cartwright and Robert Runcie all having strong supporters and vocal critics on the board.

Hepburn’s tenure has been filled with academic success and financial and operational difficulties. The district received its first A grade from the state in more than a decade in the summer of 2024 and maintained it in 2025. This year, no schools were rated D and F.

“The academic improvements under Superintendent Hepburn’s leadership are undeniable,” Board member Sarah Leonardi wrote. “By setting high standards, implementing curricular changes, and monitoring progress intentionally, the Superintendent has enabled our teachers and employees to deliver positive outcomes for our students.”

But the district’s academic success was not enough to stop a major exodus of students from the district that started nearly two decades ago. Enrollment dropped by 10,000 students in the past year, which Hepburn attributed to families leaving Broward due to affordability issues, as well as a rise in private school vouchers and home school options.

The district plans to close at least least seven schools and make more than $60 million in budget cuts over the next year, the impacts of which are raising concern among parents, teachers and other district employees. Hepburn has also been at odds with some volunteers, who have accused him of trying to “DOGE” district advisory committees.

Still, board members said Hepburn has done a good job leading the district through turbulent times and reaching out to the community for input on major decisions.

“His focus on academic achievement, technology integration, and fiscal management has positioned the District for continued success despite financial challenges,” Board member Rebecca Thompson said. “He has also made important progress in restoring the District’s reputation within the community.”

Some board members said there are some areas where Hepburn can improve, including overseeing construction projects. More than 100 projects that were part of the district’s 2014 SMART bond still haven’t been finished.

“The condition of many District facilities remains a concern, with the need for clearer timelines and accountability for repairs and upgrades,” Board Chairwoman Debbi Hixon wrote. “Budget challenges also persist, particularly regarding the size of central office staff and the sustainability of employee salary increases within current fiscal constraints.

“Addressing these issues will be essential to maintaining staff morale, ensuring financial stability, and improving the learning environment for students,” Hixon wrote.

In his self-evaluation, Hepburn said he understands the district faces challenges.

“My commitment to you and the BCPS community remains steadfast: we will not rest on our recent success,” he wrote. “We know there is more work to do. We continue to face significant budget challenges that require us to strategically resize our district to ensure long-term financial stability while still delivering the highest quality education and opportunities for our students and security for our employees.”