Coral Springs public schools brace for sweeping hiring and travel freezes as district cuts deepen
Coral Springs, Florida – Coral Springs public schools are preparing for major operational shifts as Broward County Public Schools confronts a deepening financial crisis driven by declining student enrollment. District leaders announced a series of immediate cost-cutting measures this week, signaling the start of what could be years of restructuring for schools across the region.
Superintendent Howard Hepburn said Monday that the district is facing an expected $95 million shortfall this school year, a gap that cannot be ignored. To slow the financial losses, Hepburn outlined several steps the district will implement right away. Those actions include a hiring freeze, reassignment of staff as needed, the elimination of out-of-county travel, and steep reductions in overtime — except when needed for safety or critical daily operations.
“This is not a challenge we can ignore, delay or wish away,” Hepburn said, emphasizing the urgency of the district’s response. He noted that the district’s money-saving initiative, known as “Redefining Our Schools,” will require difficult decisions, including school closures. During the same meeting, officials reviewed a list of campuses targeted for closure and the school board ultimately approved shutting down seven schools.
“It requires immediate, responsible action guided by our unwavering commitment to protect classroom instruction, student safety and core academic and support services,” Hepburn added, underscoring that the district’s priority remains preserving educational quality even as resources tighten.
District leaders say they are also conducting a top-to-bottom review of all contracts to identify additional savings. “These steps are difficult, but they are necessary to ensure we remain financially responsible and continue delivering high-quality education to our students,” Hepburn said.
Broward County’s enrollment has been shrinking for years, and school officials say the district can no longer operate as though student numbers are stable. “This budget reality makes something very clear,” Hepburn said. “It is now more critical than ever that we right-size our district and remain in control of our future. We cannot operate yesterday’s school system with today’s enrollment numbers and tomorrow’s financial demands.”
Coral Springs schools have already been part of earlier discussions about restructuring. Earlier this year, district leaders considered closing or reconfiguring several middle schools in Coral Springs to cut costs. That proposal drew strong pushback from families and school board member Lori Alhadef, who urged the district to boost enrollment instead. The board ultimately shifted course, opting to add new academic programs to attract students rather than shutting down the schools.
Despite that decision, the topic resurfaced this week when another school board member proposed closing Forest Glen Middle School in Coral Springs. The idea gained no support from the rest of the board, but it served as another reminder that no campus is entirely shielded from long-term changes.
District officials have said that the “Redefining Our Schools” process will unfold over several years, meaning Coral Springs families should expect additional adjustments as the district continues to evaluate student population trends, building capacity and overall spending. For now, the district’s immediate actions — freezing hiring, limiting travel, and reducing overtime — mark the first phase of a much larger effort to stabilize Broward County’s public school system.
