From David Volz
There could be some major changes coming to Broward County Public Schools. A recently released grand jury report found extensive examples of mismanagement in Broward County Public Schools. The report recommended that Gov. Ron DeSantis remove five School Board members of whom four are now serving on the board. Rosalind Osgood was one of the Board members recommended for removal but she has left the board and is now serving as a state senator.
Those now on the board recommended for removal include Patricia Good, Donna Korn, Laurie Rich Levinson and Ann Murray. Shortly after the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, there were very strong supporters of former Superintendent Robert Runcie. The grand jury indicted Runcie on perjury charges in April 2021 and he was criticized for his leadership. DeSantis suspended former Broward Sheriff Scott Israel for leadership failures involving the Parkland shooting within a few days of winning his election. He was unable to remove Runcie because the superintendent serves at the pleasure of the School Board members. DeSantis could have removed some or all the School Board members but chose not to. There were many survivors of the Parkland shooting victims who wanted Board members removed but this did not happen. As of now it is not known if DeSantis will take any action against the Board members but he has been highly critical of the leadership of the Board and its administrators.
One major problem found by the report was the complete mismanagement of the $800 million bond referendum that was approved by voters to renovate school buildings and improve schools. Very few renovation projects were completed. The school district was more focused on presenting a positive image rather than dealing with problems.
The report also criticized a group known as the Business Workshop whose main goal was to support and keep Runcie in his position. Runcie was often dishonest. Members of the School Board often gave Runcie positive evaluations even though they knew there were problems.
One of the outcomes of the Parkland tragedy was a grassroots effort to improve the school district. Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa was killed in the shooting ran for the School Board and won. One of her first acts was to called for the firing of Runcie. Some Board members agreed but there not enough votes for him to lose his job. Alhadeff was not criticized in the report.
Alhadeff said her goals include more school safety, more mental health services, better management of the district and more programs to ensure that graduates are ready for careers and college. She believes the people named in the report should be held accountable.
