MIRAMAR, Fla. — A wave of confusion and disappointment swept through parent pickup at Sunshine Elementary School on Thursday, as families learned that the institution is one of six Broward County schools slated for closure due to a decline in enrollment.
Parents expressed deep concerns regarding the closure, with Pierre Brutus, a father of a current student, questioning the reasons behind the decision. “I would ask them exactly what is the problem. What is the cause, why the school is closing?” he wondered.
Many parents also voiced their sadness and surprise over the announcement. One mother shared her discontent, stating, “Actually, I’m really not happy about it,” while Rosiane Telfort, whose first-grade child attends Sunshine, expressed her shock, saying, “I really didn’t know that but I’m very sad for that.”
The Broward County School Board made the decision to close six schools following a vote on Wednesday, leaving only Bair Middle School in Sunrise open after strong emotional appeals from the community. To accommodate students from Sunshine Elementary, district officials plan to reassign them to Fairway Elementary, located less than a mile away. However, both schools have been experiencing declining enrollment.
Parents are concerned that the transition may lead to complications, including transportation issues and the necessity to reapply through school choice systems. “We don’t know how this is going to go,” stated Mike Michaud, whose son currently attends Sunshine.
In light of these developments, Superintendent Howard Hepburn noted that the next steps for the district involve “rightsizing,” which will address staffing reductions through attrition, retirements, and layoffs as enrollment continues to decrease.
Despite the challenges ahead, there remains hope that the district will effectively manage the transitions and provide a suitable learning environment for all students affected by these closures. With community input being a critical component of future planning, families are encouraged to stay engaged and voice their concerns moving forward.