Coral Springs residents watch closely as Forest Glen Middle School remains in discussion amid Broward County Public Schools downsizing
Coral Springs, Florida – As Broward County Public Schools continues to navigate a period of significant enrollment decline, the future of Forest Glen Middle School in Coral Springs remains a central topic of discussion. District officials and city representatives are weighing options, amid differing opinions on how best to address declining student numbers while maintaining quality education.
Earlier this month, Superintendent Howard Hepburn issued a memo outlining recommendations for which schools should be closed, reconfigured, or consolidated. His plan proposes closing seven schools across the district. However, Forest Glen Middle School, which is currently operating at just 57.5 percent capacity and projected to continue losing students over the next five years, has emerged as a focal point of debate.
During a recent workshop, school board member Allen Zeman advocated for adding Forest Glen to the list of schools slated for closure. He also suggested that five additional schools be considered for potential consolidation. “I want to bring back Forest Glen Middle School to the list of schools,” Zeman said. “I think it’s time that we get bold and that we have the courage to do the right thing. And the right thing is to rip the Band-Aid off and figure out what schools are not part of the future of Broward County Public Schools, not just today, but incorporating enrollment projections going forward.”
Zeman’s proposal, however, did not receive wide support from his colleagues on the board. Lori Alhadef, who represents Coral Springs, expressed concern about moving too quickly. “You lose public trust when you just make these decisions off of your hip,” she said, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful, transparent process. Alhadef acknowledged the district’s financial pressures but stressed that decisions should be guided by careful planning and community input.
City officials have also weighed in, updating the Coral Springs website to assure residents that the city is committed to advocating for students and families. “We will continue working to prevent school closures and to ensure that every child in our community has access to a high-quality education close to home,” the website states. The message reflects ongoing efforts to balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining access to neighborhood schools.
Forest Glen is not the only middle school facing potential changes. Four other area schools—Coral Springs, Margate, Ramblewood, and Sawgrass—were included in the district’s original list of schools to repurpose. Among them, Forest Glen has the lowest enrollment, heightening concerns about its long-term viability. In response, district officials held a public meeting at Coral Springs High School earlier this fall to discuss strategies for attracting more students. While the specifics of these programs remain unclear, the discussion helped temporarily remove these schools from immediate closure consideration.
The district’s “Redefining Our Schools” initiative, now in its second year, reflects a long-term effort to adapt to shifting demographics and declining student populations. Hepburn and Zeman both acknowledged that enrollment is expected to continue dropping in the coming years, creating ongoing challenges for the district.
The school board is expected to vote on Hepburn’s recommendations for school closures in January, a decision that will likely influence the future of Forest Glen and other Coral Springs schools. Meanwhile, city officials, parents, and educators continue to closely monitor the process, advocating for a balance between financial sustainability and ensuring that children in the community have access to quality education.
As the debate continues, the fate of Forest Glen Middle School remains uncertain. With enrollment trends signaling ongoing challenges and differing opinions among board members and community stakeholders, the coming months will be critical in determining how Broward County Public Schools shapes the future of its middle schools, particularly in Coral Springs.
The outcome will not only affect the students currently enrolled but could also set a precedent for how the district addresses declining enrollment across the county, potentially reshaping the educational landscape for years to come.
