Howard Hepburn Appointed as New Broward Superintendent Amid Financial Challenges
Howard Hepburn takes over as Broward County's superintendent, inheriting significant financial issues and controversies over school closures and charter school funding.
- Howard Hepburn, previously deputy superintendent, was appointed as the new superintendent of Broward County Public Schools following Peter Licata's resignation due to health concerns.
- The district faces a financial crisis with a projected loss of $39 million due to declining student enrollment, necessitating potential school closures.
- A settlement was reached with local charter schools, requiring the district to pay $80 million over three years for not sharing discretionary tax funds as mandated by state law.
- Hepburn is committed to increasing transparency and community involvement in decision-making processes, promising detailed plans in the upcoming board meetings.
- The district's budget is under severe strain, also impacted by decisions to increase teacher salaries using finite federal COVID-19 relief funds.
Miami Herald 
Sun Sentinel 