Coral Springs’ Forest Glen Middle School could remain open under proposal to establish new music and performing arts academy
Coral Springs, Florida – Forest Glen Middle School in Coral Springs could remain open under a proposal to introduce a music and performing arts academy, as Broward County school officials continue reviewing possible closures and changes to schools with declining enrollment.
School Board member Lori Alhadeff, who represents Coral Springs, presented the idea during a board workshop Tuesday, arguing that a specialized arts program could attract more students and help the school avoid shutting down.
Forest Glen currently has 742 students and holds an A rating. However, another 511 students who live within the school’s attendance zone attend charter schools instead.
Alhadeff believes a new academy could encourage some of those families to return to the public school.
The school has appeared on the district’s potential closure list for two consecutive years because of enrollment concerns.
Board members discussed three possible plans for Forest Glen during the workshop, but no decisions were made. A final vote is scheduled for December 15.
One proposal would close the middle school and move sixth-grade students into elementary schools. Seventh- and eighth-grade students would then attend Coral Springs High School.
Another option would divide Forest Glen’s students among three existing middle schools, including Coral Springs Middle, Ramblewood Middle, and Lyons Creek Middle in Coconut Creek.
The third proposal, supported by Alhadeff, would preserve Forest Glen and establish a music and performing arts academy.
The idea originally came from residents who attended a community meeting in September.
Alhadeff asked the district to provide funding for the academy and allow the school to operate for three years before reconsidering its future. That period would give officials time to determine whether the specialized program could increase enrollment.
She also argued that the repeated threat of closure has already affected the school.
According to Alhadeff, some families transferred their children to Coral Springs Middle after Forest Glen appeared on the closure list.
She pointed to enrollment figures from arts programs at other district schools, which currently fill between 55% and 87% of their available seats.
“So it seems like that program does work,” Alhadeff said.
Alhadeff suggested that district officials explore partnerships with the City of Coral Springs and the Coral Springs Center for the Arts.
She also noted that a city charter school has a waiting list, suggesting there may be families interested in additional educational options.
However, the proposal raised questions about funding and whether the district should expand specialized programs while dealing with existing transportation expenses.
One board member noted that Broward County Public Schools already spends approximately $5.4 million annually transporting students to magnet programs and questioned the financial impact of adding another.
Board member Debbi Hixon requested information about the cost of establishing the proposed arts academy.
Alhadeff also pointed to future residential development as another reason to consider keeping Forest Glen open.
She said 1,159 homes are planned for Coral Springs through 2029, potentially bringing additional families into the area.
Joseph Beck, the district’s director of demographics and enrollment planning, cautioned that relatively few of those planned homes are single-family residences.
He also noted that only 18 students currently live at Cornerstone, a downtown residential development.
Questions about the school property itself added another issue for board members to consider.
Board Chair Sarah Leonardi said a city commissioner had informed her that the Forest Glen property may be subject to a deed restriction.
Board member Adam Cervera also reported receiving documents indicating that restrictive covenants apply to the land.
Superintendent Howard Hepburn said district officials would investigate the property restrictions and provide additional information.
Meanwhile, the board reviewed possible changes involving Coral Springs Elementary School.
A newly presented option would transfer all students from Coral Springs Elementary to Parkside Elementary rather than dividing them between Parkside and Eagle Ridge elementary schools.
“The second option allows them to move as one complete unit to one school,” said Valerie Wanza, the district’s chief strategy and innovation officer.
Wanza said either relocation option would save the district approximately $1 million annually.
The discussion reflects the difficult choices facing Broward County school officials as they consider enrollment trends, operating costs, and the effects of school closures on local communities.
For Forest Glen, the proposed arts academy offers an alternative to relocating students, although questions remain about funding, enrollment growth, and property restrictions.
District officials are expected to present their final proposals during a November 4 workshop before the School Board makes its decision on December 15.
Clarify the decision timelineTighten the Coral Springs Elementary section
