Broward prepares to convert failing schools

It’s official: The Broward County School District will overhaul five schools next year— closing some and repurposing others — in what officials call a holistic approach to helping 2,000students in primarily low-income communities.

“We tend to focus so much on academic outcomes at the exclusion of addressing the social and emotional needs of our children,” said Superintendent Robert Runcie. “We’re trying to put in an educational community model.”

The School Board has given final approval to a plan thatwould impact Fort Lauderdale by converting Dillard High into a Grades 6-12 technology magnet, close Lauderdale Manors Elementary and make Sunland Park Elementary a pre-K through third-grade school. Arthur Ashe Middle would be closed to current students and converted to a workforce center for adults.

Lauderhill Middle will partner with Broward College for a Grades 6-12 college academy. And Lauderdale Manors will become a community resource center with a pre-K program.

“In District 5 there is a great need for social services,” said board member Rosalind Osgood, who represents all five schools. “We’re bringing these to the heart of the district to strategically transform the community.”

Officials said the plan is community-driven but some parents remain skeptical.

Dillard parent Willamena Little worried the change would be too disruptive to a community that needs stability.

“You can’t fix something without fixing the academic problems that already exist,” she said, adding the plan would “transfer the problem” to other schools. But Runcie disagreed. “The most damaging thing youcould do to a community is let a situation that you know is not working continue,” he said. “I know change is difficult but if we’re not changing anything we’re going to get the same results.”

Thedistrict isworkingon finalizing the transportation plan for students.