UPDATE 5/11/24: 👏👏👏👏👏👏Well done everyone! We put the call out and you responded! With your help, VSY’s program move and Harbordale’s boundary change have both been removed from the Superintendent’s considerations! Good work everyone! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Please see this article for more information:
Slide from the Redefining our Schools presentation revised May 9, 2024. Note that Harbordale has been removed from the recommended changes.
Filling out the form below is an easy and convenient way if you choose to show your support against the anticipated boundary changes being recommended for Harbordale by the Superintendent to the School Board at their workshop meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. For more information on the anticipated changes, please visit https://www.harbordalehsa.com/potential-harbordale-boundary-change/
To:
Sarah Leonardi, District 3, Sarah.leonardi@browardschools.com
Debbi Hixon, At-Large/District 9, Debra.hixon@browardschools.com
Dr. Allen Zeman, At-Large/District 8, Allen.zeman@browardschools.com
ALL BCPS Board Members: schoolboard@browardschools.com
Subject: Keep Harbordale’s Boundaries the Same (Your Name)
Dear Members of the School Board of Broward County,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposal to relocate the Montessori program at Virginia Shuman Young (VSY) Elementary School, thus changing the boundaries for Harbordale Elementary School. The proposal does not help the district address the under-enrollment problem at other schools. The plan is opposed by the neighborhood community. Moving this program would disrupt and erode two A-rated, dynamic, socioeconomically and demographically diverse school communities where students are thriving.
The proposal is ill-conceived and should be removed from consideration at your workshop meeting on May 14.
None of the criteria that District staff established to address the under-utilization of school facilities through the “Redefining Our Schools” process apply to Harbordale. Harbordale is a school that is at full capacity, with wait lists, in a facility in good condition. This effort goes directly against the District’s stated goals and needs and would eliminate opportunities for choice for Broward families.
Additionally, the School District presentation on April 30th explicitly stated that the Victoria Park neighborhood wants this change. This is factually wrong; the Victoria Park Civic Association expressed active opposition to the proposal at their May 1st meeting. Additionally, the Harbordale HSA actively opposes it as well as numerous municipal leaders representing the impacted communities oppose it.
This proposal lacks a justifiable basis and would undermine a successful school community.
The district should continue to seek options that prioritize student achievement and development as it addresses the challenge of numerous under-enrolled schools. However, the proposal to relocate the Montessori program from VSY, resulting in a boundary change for Harbordale Elementary should be rejected as soon as possible.