Coral Springs parents urge elected leaders to take more action to support local schools amid declining enrollment concerns
Coral Springs, Florida – As the debate over the future of Coral Springs schools continues to unfold, parents are pushing for more attention from the city’s elected leaders, urging them to do more to support the educational institutions in the community. Their concern comes amidst a troubling trend in Broward County, where enrollment in schools, including those in Coral Springs, has been declining. At a recent city commission meeting, parents voiced their frustrations, fearing that Coral Springs schools might be overlooked in the district’s efforts to address declining student populations.
One of the key issues highlighted by parents was Coral Springs Elementary School, which was placed on the district’s under-enrolled school list last year. With fewer than 50% of its available seats filled, the school became a target in discussions about potential reconfigurations or closures. While the Broward County School District has reassured the public that no immediate changes are planned, parents like Nicole Morst are concerned about the future. She shared her conversation with the district’s early education office, where she was informed that the district might consider removing some voluntary pre-kindergarten classes from the school.
“They’re going to take those classes somewhere else, outside of Coral Springs,” Morst said, expressing her frustration with the situation. She also noted that schools in neighboring cities such as Cooper City and Weston are struggling with overcrowding, a contrast to the declining enrollment in Coral Springs. “I believe it’s because the community there advocates very strongly,” Morst said, suggesting that Coral Springs could do more to ensure its schools remain a priority.
The concern about the future of Coral Springs schools is not new. Last year, after the district made significant changes—closing Broward Estates Elementary in Fort Lauderdale and reconfiguring several schools in the area—residents voiced similar fears. Despite the changes, officials have indicated that more alterations to the school system could come in the future, adding to the uncertainty in Coral Springs.
At the city commission meeting, Morst wasn’t alone in her plea for greater support from the city’s elected officials. Nordin Weinberger, another Coral Springs resident, echoed Morst’s concerns, calling on city commissioners to be more vocal and proactive in advocating for the local schools. “Many of us in the community of Coral Springs have spent a lot of time on committees and talking with people on the Broward County School Board,” Weinberger said.
“We sit on committees. We bring up issues, and we need Coral Springs to give us the support as commissioners.”
In response, two city commissioners took the opportunity to clarify their efforts and reassure parents that the city is actively working to support Coral Springs schools. Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen spoke about the successes that have already been achieved, noting that the city had successfully advocated for new media centers at Hunt Elementary and Riverside Elementary schools. “So, we do not take those allegations lightly,” Bowen said. “We will continue to advocate for our 19 public schools.”
Bowen further emphasized that the city is aware of the trends in enrollment and is developing a plan to address these challenges. She assured residents that their concerns were being taken seriously, and the city would continue to work with the school district to ensure that Coral Springs schools receive the attention they deserve.
Commissioner Joshua Simmons also addressed the issue with passion, defending the actions of the city’s elected leaders. He pointed out that the city doesn’t always publicize its behind-the-scenes efforts, such as discussions with school officials through text messages, phone calls, letters, and in-person meetings. “I want to make sure the narrative is not out there that we are not doing anything, or we are sitting back or not as proactive as other cities,” Simmons said. “Number one, I don’t care what other cities are doing. I know what we are doing.”
Simmons referenced the recent boundary changes made by the Broward County School District, which had a direct impact on Coral Springs students. He emphasized that the city would remain vigilant and not allow similar issues to arise in the future. “Trust me,” he said. “We’re not going to let that happen again.”
Despite the city’s efforts, the concerns of Coral Springs parents remain valid. With enrollment continuing to decline in the area, the future of local schools is uncertain, and many are left wondering if the city’s advocacy efforts will be enough to ensure that Coral Springs schools remain viable and competitive. While the city leaders’ efforts are appreciated, it’s clear that parents want more action to ensure that the district does not overlook the needs of their children.
As the conversation continues, both the city commission and residents will likely need to keep pushing for a solution that ensures the community’s schools thrive rather than face the possibility of further cuts or closures. The stakes are high, and the ongoing dialogue is crucial for securing the future of Coral Springs schools. The city’s leaders have made strides, but for many, there is still more to be done.
