Oakland Park Community Urged to Speak Out Against Lloyd Estates Elementary Closure at Sept. 22 School Board Meeting

Oakland Park residents have a critical opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the proposed closure of Lloyd Estates Elementary School at an upcoming School Board meeting. The City of Oakland Park actively opposes the closure, advocating for the school's vital role in the community.

Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn recommended closing Lloyd Estates Elementary after the 2026-27 school year. This recommendation is part of the district’s Redefining Our Schools initiative. However, no final decision has been made.

The Oakland Park City Commission adopted a resolution on September 9, formally opposing the proposed closure. The resolution requested the Broward County School Board remove Lloyd Estates from the current 2026-27 closure and consolidation process. The city highlighted the school's academic progress, its service to hundreds of children through city after-school, summer, and school-break programs, significant public investment in the school and surrounding infrastructure, and substantial residential growth in its service area.

How Residents Can Participate

Residents can make their voices heard at a School Board Workshop scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The workshop will take place at the Kathleen C. Wright Administration Center, located at 600 SE 3rd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. The School Board will hold its second Redefining Our Schools 2026-2027 Update workshop during this time.

Community members can attend in person and provide public comments. To speak in person, residents must register to provide public comment on an agenda item. Speakers have up to three minutes to address a topic before Board discussion. Residents should select eComment for Item #1 – Redefining Our Schools 2026-27 and sign up or sign in, then select “Register to Speak” under Agenda Item #1.

For those unable to attend, written comments can be submitted via the eComment tab at browardschools.com/Page/55263. Written comments must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Monday, September 21, and may not exceed 2,250 characters. Select eComment for Item #1 – Redefining Our Schools 2026-27 and sign up or sign in, then select “Comment” under Agenda Item #1.

The workshop will also be live-streamed online, allowing residents to watch the proceedings even if they cannot attend or provide comments.

Community members unable to attend or submit comments through the official channels can contact Broward County Public Schools and School Board representatives directly. Dr. Howard Hepburn, Superintendent, can be reached at 754-321-2600 or [email protected]. Sarah Leonardi, School Board Chair for District 3, can be contacted at 754-321-2003 or [email protected]. Dr. Allen Zeman, Countywide At-Large, Seat 8, is available at 754-321-2008 or [email protected]. Debra Hixon, Countywide At-Large, Seat 9, can be reached at 754-321-2009 or [email protected].

The city will continue to monitor the process, advocate for the Oakland Park community, and share updates on its website, www.oaklandparkfl.gov, as additional information becomes available.