Howard Hepburn, Superintendent, Broward County Public Schools

Declining enrollment is a major challenge for many U.S. school systems, but Broward County Public Schools is taking action. “We’re reviewing all of our programs… if they’re having the intended impact. If they’re not, we’re sunsetting some programs. If they are, we’re scaling them up,” said Superintendent Howard Hepburn in an interview with Invest:.

What are the most significant milestones for Broward County Public Schools over the last academic cycle?

Overall, we were able to transition Broward County Public Schools from a B-rated district to an A-rated district — the first A rating the district has received since 2011.

Additionally, for the first time since 1999, we have no D or F schools. Eliminating all D and F schools for the first time in more than 20 years is a major achievement and a testament to the hard work of our district team and school staff in providing the best learning opportunities for our students. These are two of the biggest accomplishments for Broward County Public Schools right now.

What are the challenges public education is currently facing?

Like other large school systems across the state and country, we are facing the challenge of declining enrollment. This is largely due to families moving to more affordable areas.

Additionally, parents now have more choices when it comes to their children’s education. Public schools are no longer the default option but one of several, including charter schools, private schools, and voucher programs that support homeschooling and other alternative methods.

How are you responding to these challenges?

We are addressing these challenges by engaging in community conversations to understand the unique needs of different areas within our district. We actively listen to parents, educators, and other stakeholders and use that feedback to shape our approach.

As part of our efforts to redefine Broward County Public Schools, we are transitioning some elementary schools from the traditional K-5 model to K-8, and some middle schools from grades 6-8 to grades 6-12. These changes will provide students with greater continuity, allowing them to stay within the same school community longer, with familiar administrators and teachers. We’re also introducing innovative programs like College Academies, where students can earn college credits in specialized fields.

Additionally, we are repurposing one of our lowest-enrolled elementary schools into a learning center. Data shows that many students in this part of the district are not entering kindergarten fully prepared. Instead of maintaining an under-enrolled elementary school, we are transforming it into a center focused on early childhood education to ensure students start kindergarten ready to succeed.

We are also reviewing all of our magnet programs, innovative programs, and in-house academies to evaluate their impact. Programs that are not meeting their intended goals are being phased out, while those that are successful are being expanded. At the same time, we are collaborating with community partners, nonprofits, businesses, and municipalities to develop new programs that align with industry needs in Broward County.

How are you collaborating with local businesses, higher education institutions, and workforce organizations to create opportunities for students beyond the classroom?

We partner with several organizations, including the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Broward Workshop, Broward Education Foundation, and Junior Achievement of South Florida. These entities have strong relationships with local businesses and industries, serving as a conduit to build new connections and strengthen existing ones. Through these collaborations, we gain a better understanding of industry needs, allowing us to evaluate our current efforts and determine how to better prepare students for the workforce.

Broward County Public Schools also operates three technical colleges that support workforce education initiatives and have led the state nine years in a row for the greatest number of student-earned industry certifications. Additionally, we partner with a variety of higher education institutions in the county, including Broward College, Florida International University’s satellite campus, Nova Southeastern University, and the University of Florida’s satellite campus. These institutions provide students with unique dual enrollment and postsecondary opportunities that align with industry demands.

How is the district leveraging innovations or technology across the board?

We utilize a wide range of supplemental educational technology to meet the diverse needs of our students. Broward County is an ethnically, racially, and socioeconomically diverse district, so we must provide differentiated instruction and diverse learning opportunities. Technology helps us achieve that. Most of our educational technology is adaptive, with AI components embedded to meet students where they are and help them progress. This supplements classroom instruction provided by teachers.

We are also exploring AI solutions to help our staff work more efficiently, ensuring we meet students’ needs in a timely and effective manner — from district operations to individual school buildings. Additionally, we are looking at new AI-driven technologies to further personalize learning. Right now, we are actively exploring opportunities to implement in the 2025-2026 school year to continue refining our instructional practices.

What extracurricular and leadership programs does the county have in place?

Like most school districts, we offer student government and student advisory councils at every school. We also have two student advisors on the school board who lead “Speak Up and Speak Out” sessions, providing a platform for students to share feedback and insights about their campus experiences. Each school has a student advisory council that helps facilitate these discussions and works with administrators to improve the learning environment.

Beyond student government, we offer numerous leadership programs, including Florida Education Association clubs, Future Business Leaders of America, and entrepreneurship academies at some schools. Our magnet programs help students develop specialized skills, preparing them for leadership not just in school but in their future industries.

What are your top priorities for the next couple of years?

Our top priority is to continue refining instructional strategies to help our students succeed in school and in life. Given the diversity of our student population, a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching would leave too many students behind. We are constantly iterating in this area, with our academic team researching new solutions, collaborating with other school districts, and sharing best practices to ensure continuous improvement.

We also emphasize empowerment as a leadership strategy, ensuring faculty and staff — both in schools and at the district level — are involved in decision-making. This fosters a sense of ownership and accountability. Additionally, we are focused on becoming more efficient and effective by leveraging existing technology while preparing for the rapid advancements in technology that are shaping the future of education.