No students will have to cross busy Miramar Parkway on foot, schools promise
Miramar commissioners received firm assurances from Broward County Public Schools representatives that no student will be required to cross busy Miramar Parkway on foot as the district moves forward with campus transitions and boundary changes.
The promise came during the Wednesday, Feb. 11, commission meeting during an update on the recent decision to close schools in Miramar and the change of boundaries for others for the 2026-27 academic year.
For example, students from Hallandale High will begin to be reassigned to Miramar High next year. Parents have expressed concerns about students having to navigate one of Miramar’s busiest corridors.
“We know that a great concern is around the transition of students going across Miramar Parkway,” chief strategy and innovation officer Valerie Wanza told commissioners. “Safety is paramount.”
Wanza said transportation plans are already being developed to prevent unsafe crossings.
“More than likely all of the students will probably get a school bus to come across Miramar Parkway,” she said.
Miramar Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne pressed district leaders for a clearer commitment, saying she wanted to ensure families understood that walking across the roadway would not be expected.
In response, Wanza cited guidance from Broward Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn.
“The superintendent was adamant that he does not want that to be a question in the minds of parents,” Wanza said. “He has said that he will not see one child in danger.”
She added that transportation officials are actively planning routes with that goal in mind.
Colbourne responded that the expectation should be clear: Students should not have to make the crossing on foot.
“None of them should have to cross,” she said. “They should all be receiving transportation.”
The exchange followed remarks from school board representative Rebecca Thompson, who acknowledged residents’ fears about Miramar Parkway traffic.
“We’ve heard from the community about crossing Miramar Parkway because we know that it’s a very fast road,” Thompson said, noting that transportation solutions are being worked out alongside a broader school transition plan.
