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Broward schools delay vote on job cuts as concern grows. Here’s what to know

By Edited by Mike Garbett and produced with AI assistance
Broward School Board members postponed a decision on cutting hundreds of jobs, citing disagreements over the contentious proposal. A vote is now scheduled for May 19.
Broward School Board members postponed a decision on cutting hundreds of jobs, citing disagreements over the contentious proposal. A vote is now scheduled for May 19. Mike Stocker South Florida Sun Sentinel

Broward County Public Schools continues to weigh a plan to eliminate over 800 positions to address a sharp decline in student enrollment.

The school board delayed its vote to May 19, giving members more time to review the proposal.

FULL STORY: Broward school board delays vote to cut over 800 jobs to save $40 million

Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn
Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn Screengrab from Broward County Public Schools’ BECON livestream

Here are key takeaways:

  • The Broward County school board postponed its vote on cutting 856 positions during an April 28 special meeting. A workshop is set for May 11, with a formal vote scheduled for May 19.
  • The reorganization could save approximately $40 million. Affected roles include school counselors, behavioral support staff, social workers and clerical support.
  • Most of the targeted positions are unoccupied: 159 are vacant due to attrition and a hiring freeze, and 344 were planned but never funded. About 300 employees were notified in mid-April that their jobs would be eliminated or reduced by the 2026-2027 academic year.
  • Broward has more than 45,000 empty seats this school year, and roughly 10,000 students have left the county’s public schools since 2024, according to district data.
  • “Tough decisions have to be made when we’re constantly losing so much revenue every year,” Superintendent Howard Hepburn said.
  • A draft 2026-27 organizational chart leaves the district’s “chief” positions untouched while cutting five “executive” positions, drawing criticism from advocates who say cuts should start at the top.
  • Proposed “below the line” reductions include 16 school social workers, 11 school counselors and 27 exceptional student education teachers, specialists, counselors and a director.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.

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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 5:05 AM with the headline "Broward schools delay vote on job cuts as concern grows. Here’s what to know."