Broward School Board

The Broward County tax collector has pushed back against the district's school board after members voted to take legal action against the office over a dispute regarding how $5 million from a school referendum were handled.

In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, board members directed district lawyers to explore legal avenues to capture the $5.6 million, or 2% of the $275 million, generated by a school referendum passed in 2022.

The proposed cuts are estimated to save about $54 million. Superintendent Howard Hepburn and some school board members have often spoken about the need downsize district staff to make it proportional to shrinking student enrollment.

The School Board of Broward County will strengthen staff-issued credit card practices after state education officials opened an investigation into the Board chair's $150 ticket purchase for a Democratic political fundraiser with public funds.

School board chair Sarah Leonardi submitted a letter to the commissioner of education confirming her secretary used the a district-issued purchasing card to buy an $150 ticket for a partisan event.

The 803 job cuts are estimated to save $36.6 million for a district dealing with a financial crisis. In two years, the district projects a loss of 20,000 students, which will result in a dramatic budget deficit.

The total positions on the cutting table amount to 856. Of those, 353 are currently filled, with 53 being non-teaching roles related to school repurposing and closures.

Since 2024, data shows an upward trend in passing rates for the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, or FAST. Despite improvement, gaps still remain across race and ethnic groups.

Board member Allen Zeman, a county-wide at-large representative, planted the motion to terminate district Chief Auditor Dave Rhodes with cause, making a list of complaints.

Adam Cervera is replacing Brenda Fam as the only conservative voice on the board, despite the school board itself being nonpartisan. Fam cited a hostile environment from her more liberal colleagues.

The school board of Broward County Public Schools approved changes to its advertisement on school grounds policy after being sued for engaging in viewpoint discrimination. It also added a break in the school year for a major Hindu holiday.

Organizers of the NO on One Campaign said they are seeking to use television and social media ads to reach 1 million Florida voters and use partnerships on college campuses to urge young voters to reject Amendment One on Nov. 5.