I've been a parent at Pines Lakes for the past 17 years. This reflects the solid school community that Pines Lakes has—one that brings together dedicated students, families, and staff. I drive 25 minutes each way to ensure my children attend Pines Lakes.

Pines Lakes is more than a school. It’s a thriving community. We have an active PTA. Our dynamic, show-stopping musical productions bring our entire community together. We have various student opportunities such as 5000 Role Models, a VPK program and a Lego League Team, STEM Room and a SECME Team.

Our principal has brought an invigorated approach that's energized our entire school community which parents have noticed. Despite our success, our classrooms exceed the state’s class size mandates due to budget constraints—proof that our school remains in high demand.

It’s important to note Pines Lakes is between 2 charter schools. If Pines Lakes closes, families will certainly enroll in Renaissance Charter Pines, which is situated in their backyard instead of on a bus to a farther location. Parents choose schools due to convenience, closing Pines Lakes would unintentionally push more students to charter, reducing district enrollment further.

Closing Walter C., giving the space back to the City of Pines—known for its strong charter school presence—would accelerate this. Closing Pines Lakes would therefore be counterproductive. Merging Palm Cove into Pines Lakes makes far more sense. That merger would raise utilization to over 90%—a clear win.

Palm Cove’s campus has limited access, only 1 way in and out on 114th Ave, creating major traffic concerns. Pines Lakes, has multiple points of entry, making it better suited to handle traffic safely and efficiently.

We serve PreK students and those who need cluster programs must transition to other schools as they age out. Merging Palm Cove into Pines Lakes would allow these students to remain in a space they are familiar with.

Families choose Pines Lakes for its strong school climate, dedicated staff, and community spirit. Pines Lakes has been the foundation for countless families like mine.

As an administrator at a BCPS school, it is time for drastic change. Many variables have contributed to the under-enrollment of many schools, and many believe there has been purposeful political intent to see public schools fail. Be that as it may, pointing fingers or assigning blame does not solve our problems. Any and all options should be on the table, including closing as many schools as possible. It's triage, it is losing a limb to save the person. Communities and families will persevere. The waste and mismanagement is real, I see it and live it. It is time to not only redefine... but to re-invent, re-create, and revive something better.

We still have control in how this goes, failure to act will eventually cede that power to people that do not have BCPS's best interests at heart. They will take our schools, our resources, and then our students, all lured by unrealistic promises and the phony validation that public schools are the worst of options.

We need to be the rebels, the mavericks, the trendsetters and rebuild a better BCPS before it is too late.

As a parent of two children who attend Pines Lakes Elementary, one in VPK and the other in 1st grade, I cannot express enough how much of a godsend this school has been for our family. After having less-than-favorable experiences with two charter schools in our area, we found a nurturing and supportive environment at PLE that allowed our children to truly thrive.

PLE offers Pre-K and accepts the VPK voucher for a full day of education, which has been incredibly enriching for our 4-year-old. This program is equipping them with the tools they need to excel in kindergarten. Unfortunately, few schools in our area offer Pre-K, and parents often must resort to daycare or pay additional fees to keep their children in a VPK program past 12:30 pm. PLE provides a much-needed solution for working parents.

Our 1st grader, with ASD, receives exceptional support at PLE. I would never consider placing them in an Autism-specific school, as it wouldn’t be inclusive to their personal development. While I don't know much about SFACS, I understand it is highly regarded, and having an Autism school would only be beneficial if it mirrored SFACS. When searching for the right school for my ASD child, I toured several schools with ASD clusters, but they did not meet my child's needs. Our child is thriving an inclusive and general education-based environment. The ESE program at PLE is fantastic and has given us as parents a sense of relieve send our child to a school that accepts him for who he is and is teaching him the necessary tools for adulthood.

Moreover, PLE has a nationally recognized, award-winning PTA! The PTA is dedicated to providing the best for our students, from fundraising to organizing events year-round to keep the children engaged with their school.

When considering combining schools to ensure higher capacity use, it is crucial to align the support staff with the increased number of students. The current support structure is based on the existing capacity, and any changes must consider the well-being and safety of the students. Adding programs that increase enrollment, such as STEM, dual language programs, or even after-school activities like dance, would be a far better solution than closing schools.

As a parent of a student currently attending Pines Lakes Elementary, I strongly oppose combining Pines Lakes and Palm Cove Elementary. Pines Lakes has built a strong community presence in the area. Rebuilding the STEM program is at the forefront of the schools values and mission statement. As a parent I feel any combining or merging of the schools will disrupt any forward progress that PLE is working towards this goal. PLE has a great ESOL program and having the International Welcome Center on campus will only make it better. Merging the schools will only lead to more over crowded classrooms and fewer resources resulting in more children left behind.
Let’s start looking at students as the people they are not ID numbers and dollar amounts on a spreadsheet. Our children all deserve a fighting chance and I don’t see how combining two schools gives them that.
As a parent I urge BCPS to make the right decision, to put the focus back on public schools and not to prioritize charters.

Esteemed School Board Members,

As a Broward County resident and a proud parent of a gifted child in the dual language program at Walter C. Young Middle School, I support of the redefining conversations. I understand that tough but data-driven and community-focused decisions must be made. I urge the School Board to take into consideration the documented community interest in dual language programs. Currently, the only well-designed dual language program at the middle school level in District 2 is in Walter C. Young Middle School (WCY), which also houses a strong Cambridge program and a stellar KnextGen Knights tech program.

I believe that the two options currently on the table may lead to adverse consequences, and I trust that the Board will consider those consequences before making the final decision.

If WCY is converted into a 3-8 gifted/dual language academy, what will be the impact on the surrounding elementary schools, particularly on Lakeside Elementary? Where will the third graders come from? Will the District be able to get the word out about the program to charter and home schooling families, rather than recruit from the already dwindling numbers in Pembroke Lakes and Lakeside Elementary Schools?

If WCY must close, would the dual language program move to Pines Collegiate Academy and Silver Trail Middle with the WCY students? According to the District's website, neither of those schools currently offers dual language. If dual language disappears from middle school despite the hard work parents and the District put into bringing it to WCY last year, Broward County Public Schools will be yet again at a disadvantage compared to charter schools. We know that dual language programs offer a one-of-a-kind competitive advantage in our global economy. Additionally, BCPS currently has the talent in schools and in district offices as well as the support on the ground from school administrators and families to make these programs successful, and it is my most sincere hope that the Board and the District will continue to build, support, and advertise these programs.

I would urge the Board to not rush this decision. There is time left from the lease. Please take it.

Sincerely,

Ildiko Barsony, PhD

As a parent in Miramar whose school is slated for “repurposing,” I urge the district to prioritize a seamless transition for our students, families, teachers, and staff. This is a challenging moment for our community, but also one filled with hope. BCPS has the opportunity to do right by us and ensure that the move to the new K–8 schools is handled with care, transparency, and respect.
Please work with parents to prioritize where their child will go next year, Not just tell them to go to their neighborhood school.

Additionally, to make these new K-8 schools thrive, BCPS must invest in experienced professionals who understand the unique needs of middle school students. That includes Athletic Director, Band and Chorus Directors, Coding and Engineering instructor, Peer Counseling educator, Debate coaches, and seasoned teachers across core subjects—Math, Science, Social Studies, ELA, and ESE as well as Guidance Counselors, seasoned administrators, front desk staff, and Facilities staff from Glades. Their expertise is essential to preserving the quality of education and support our children deserve. I am assuming you will be using the CAP grant to fund the new branch of the technical school. Let's see that happen.

Our community is resilient, but we need leadership that listens and acts with integrity.

Regarding Autism Schools in BCPS:As a mother of a child with autism and Chair of the ACE-Autism Committee, I strongly urge Broward County Public Schools to engage directly with parents and collaborate meaningfully with the ESE Advisory Council and ACE-Autism Committee. Families deserve to be heard, not just informed when decisions are being made that deeply affect our children’s futures. We do not want to see our children with disabilities be segregated into a building.
Therefore, BCPS must take the time to understand what parents truly want, what models will best support our children’s unique needs, and how trust can be rebuilt in our public school system. Seeking authentic parent input isn’t optional, it’s essential. Our children’s success depends on thoughtful planning, transparency, and a commitment to inclusive collaboration.

BCPS has the opportunity to make things right by their stakeholders.

My son is in second grade and began his educational journey at Baudhuin Preschool for Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 before entering Broward County Public Schools in kindergarten. The transition was difficult, but first grade was devastating. His teacher lacked the training and empathy to support neurodiverse students expecting uniform behavior and punishing any deviation. My son, who is nonverbal but deeply expressive in his own ways, developed a severe aversion to school. He stopped eating, refused to get out of bed, and showed visible signs of distress. Despite my repeated pleas, the school didn’t act until they saw his fear firsthand. Only then was he moved to a new class. From that moment, everything changed. He began to trust again and find joy in learning.

This year, with the same teacher, he is finally at peace, comfortable and happy walking into class each morning. But now that he’s stable, my concern has shifted. Is he being challenged academically? Is he receiving the level of support that matches his intelligence and potential? My son is bright, capable, and entirely competent despite being nonverbal. Yet I continue to question whether the current system, through no fault of individual educators, has the training, tools, and flexibility needed for autistic children to thrive.

Our group of parents is advocating for a district-managed charter school modeled after South Florida Autism Charter (SFACS) not another BCPS autism cluster program. Families have lost trust in those models.

Why:
1. Proven Model: SFACS has demonstrated success with specialized programming. Let’s replicate what works instead of reinventing within the current system.
2. Autonomy & Accountability: A district-managed charter allows flexibility in staffing, curriculum, and therapies while maintaining public oversight.
3. Specialized Training: Staff can be hired and structured for autism-specific expertise rather than constrained by district contracts.
4. Parent Trust: A charter designed for autism rebuilds confidence through transparency, consistency, and measurable outcomes.

Pines Lakes Elementary should not merge with Palm Cove. If a merger must occur, Palm Cove should be absorbed by Pines Lakes. The reason for this is that Pines Lakes has increased parental involvement, a thriving PTA, a regrowing STEM program, and many other programs that would benefit the students. Pines Lakes enjoys a staff that keep things running smoothly. They have an on campus nurse for when students get sick or have minor injuries and need to be treated. Pines Lakes is also home to the International Welcome Center for ESOL students. As a parent of an ESE student, I am thrilled with the progress my kid has been making since she started at PLE. She has made leaps and bounds of progress from where she started, and that is thanks to the staff and faculty at PLE. As another commenter pointed out, safety is also a major concern. If merging the schools occurs, more school resource officers will need to be on campus, costing the Board more money. School pick ups and drop offs will not be as efficient as they are now. They will affect traffic as well. This is something that needs to be considered. Merging the schools will also affect academic success of the students. Please consider all factors and not just money and stats when making decisions like this. Please consider the students and how any decisions will affect them. Will they benefit from this? How will they benefit from it? What will they lose? What will they gain? Do they have staff and faculty they can trust? Thank you for considering these items.

We are not seeking placement in a BCPS-run autism program. Our goal is for the district to establish a district-managed charter school operated by SFACS, following the proven South Florida Autism Charter School model. Families deserve access to a school directly led by SFACS, not another traditional public school structure that continues to fall short for our children.

Current district options are simply not meeting the needs of students with autism. Many families are left with no choice but to drive long distances to Miami-Dade or pay for costly private aides because in-district staff often lack the specialized autism training required to help students succeed. This has led to significant regression and unnecessary hardship for both students and families.

If the district truly wants children with autism to become capable, independent, and contributing members of our community, it must begin by providing an accessible, high-quality, and specialized educational option that genuinely meets their needs. It’s time to address this inequity and give our children the opportunities they deserve.

Closing Walter C Young, or turning it into a gifted 3-8 school, is not in the best interest of the children or the community. Our BCPS middle schools are not in the best shape, and Walter C by far has the best campus and education initiatives out of the nearby alternate options. The extra curricular options have reignited my daughter’s interest in school. Middle school is already hard enough for students, this change could be detrimental to their futures. My daughter would have to go to Apollo if Walter c was to shut down, where unfortunately she would not receive the same time and care she has at Walter c young. We are consistently limiting middle school options for our kids, which will lead to overcrowding, and lack of safety. The focus should be on reallocating funds, and driving people to enroll their kids in this school. Limiting our options will lead to parents moving to charter schools, or online schooling, to protect our children and prioritize their educations.

Broward County needs to establish highly specialized educational options for students with autism, specifically replicating a proven model like the South Florida Autism Charter School (SFACS). This is not about general education; this is about providing equitable and effective specialized support. Current district programs are clearly failing. Families are being forced to drive to Miami-Dade or hire costly full-time aides simply because in-district teachers often lack the necessary autism expertise. This leads to student regression and places an unacceptable burden on working families.
We are not asking for a standard, district-run charter. We require a model, like SFACS, that is given the autonomy to implement a highly specialized, evidence-based approach that is demonstrably successful. SFACS is a proven model; anything less is a compromise that continues to underserve our children.
Broward County must stop making excuses. If you truly want autistic children to grow into productive, independent members of society, you must start by giving them an accessible, high-quality, and specialized school option that works. End this educational inequity now.

As a mother who has had 5 children attend Pines Lakes Elementary for the past several years, the merging of schools is not the solution. I am sure the Palm cove parents would agree. Pines lakes had built a safe space for our kids, as well as a structured PTA. The merging of schools is like putting a bandaid over a leak in a sinking boat. It’s the wrong solution. Instead, our schools need to focus on reallocating funds, and focus on hiring teachers who are still invested in shaping the future of our youth. In today’s climate, safety should also be a priority. Overcrowding any school while simultaneously having a singular police officer on duty is outrageous, and putting all our children at risk.
Enrollments are a driving factor for all of these changes being proposed, but none are focused on creating a better environment in our broward schools to interest parents in enrolling new students. Enrollments will only drop more when parents are forced to drive farther for their child’s schools. The focus should be on making BCPS better as a whole.

Our group of parents that are advocating for this want a DISTRICT MANAGED CHARTER modeled after South Florida Autism Charter in Miami. We DO NOT WANT a BCPS autism public school. We want a school like SFACS that is autism focused, proven, flexible and accountable rather than another BCPS run autism cluster program that an exceptional number of parents have lost trust in.

SFACS has proven to be effective and successful.

The teachers and staff are properly equipped to work with special needs students.

Their low student to teacher ratio allows for individualized attention for each student.

The students are just that - students, not some number on a data sheet.

SFACS equips the students to be independent in and out of the classroom and the community.

A district ran charter school is needed for our Broward ESE students. It’s apparent BCPS lack the necessary resources to fully support our students so this model is imperative to ensure their success. These schools can focus on individualized learning plans or specialized curricula to better meet the needs of specific student populations which is extremely important as our students have different needs. Furthermore, a district-run charter can leverage district resources and infrastructure, potentially providing more support for staff and students which is also extremely important. Please take this into consideration as our students overall academic success depends on this.

As a parent of a student currently attending Pines Lakes Elementary, I kindly ask the school board to reconsider merging Pines Lakes and Palm Cove, as this change could disrupt students’ learning and the strong community ties these schools have built. Combining schools leads to overcrowded classrooms, fewer resources, and longer travel times, which can hurt students’ education and well-being. We already have overcrowded classrooms in our current school (28 students in the class) and desperately need additional teachers such as a STEM teacher, a dual language program, an art program and updated, bullet proof windows and doors.
Combining the schools may save you money and give you a pretty number on a spreadsheet but if the students don’t feel safe or challenged academically, parents will take them to charter schools where they feel they receive a better education in safer, updated schools.
Instead, I suggest hiring skilled and engaging teachers who are committed to student learning, having well-maintained classrooms and access to technology that contributes to a beneficial learning environment, I also suggest exploring other options, like reallocating funds, or finding cost-saving strategies that allow both schools to stay open. We can find creative solutions to address financial challenges without sacrificing the quality of education. Our children deserve better than just a school that is at 100% capacity.

Greetings,

Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge my comment. I believe I speak on behalf of many parents who share the same concerns: we do not want a BCPS-operated autism public school or center. What we are asking for is a district-managed charter school, similar to SFAcS. This distinction is crucial. If our goal were a BCPS autism public school, we would simply leave our children in the existing cluster classrooms.

Our group of parents that are advocating for this want a DISTRICT MANAGED CHARTER modeled after South Florida Autism Charter in Miami. We DO NOT WANT a BCPS autism public school. We want a school like SFACS that is autism focused, proven, flexible and accountable rather than another BCPS run autism cluster program that an exceptional number of parents have lost trust in.

Why?

1. Proven Model

South Florida Autism Charter School (SFACS) has a strong reputation for specialized programming and outcomes.

A district-managed charter modeled after SFACS allows Broward parents to replicate a program that already works, instead of reinventing within the traditional public school system.

2. Accountability & Autonomy

A district-managed charter gives some flexibility in staffing, curriculum, and services while still being publicly funded and overseen by the district.

BCPS public schools are bound by broader district policies and may not be able to customize programming as deeply for autism needs.

3. Teacher Training & Staffing

Specialized schools like SFACS require staff with specific autism training, therapy integration, and experience.

A charter can hire and structure staff specifically for those needs, whereas a BCPS autism program may have to fit within district union contracts and staffing allocations.

4. Parent Trust & Track Record

Many parents have had difficult experiences with BCPS autism cluster programs (inconsistency, under-resourced classrooms, lack of accountability).

A district-managed charter provides a middle ground: still public and free, but designed with autism in mind from the ground up.

5. Inclusive Community Demand

Families want a school dedicated to autism education, not just an “autism wing” within a general public school that may still prioritize mainstream programming.

A district-managed charter shows the county is listening and willing to invest in a specialized solution rather than recycling old models that have already failed families.

It is imperative that Broward county considers adding a model such as SFACS! It is extremely unfair that parents have to drive to south Miami for their special needs child to get proper support in a school. I spent a year trying to get my child into “the best public school” in Fort Lauderdale that had “ the best ese program” and the teacher he got has zero autism experience and now my child is regressing . Had there have been an option like SFACS in Broward that’s where my child would have went and would be thriving . Instead I have a full time RBT at school with him since his teacher is not educated on how to teach children with autism. My husband and I both work full time and have another child so driving to south miami is not an option. Broward is not inclusive!! if you want our autistic children to be functioning members of society… Start with giving us a better school option!

We urge you not to create a school-within-a-school by placing K-5 General Education students & an ASD Center program in one building. Co-locating these programs leads to significant educational disadvantages, especially for typically developing students, due to conflicting instructional needs & the complex requirements of each group. This arrangement could worsen enrollment declines & prompt more families to leave BCPS. Both populations would be better served by making PRE either a dedicated ASD-only site & rebounding K-5 students to other schools.

Elem students build core academic skills best in stable environments that support routine & maximize instructional time. A co-located ASD center can disrupt this with behavioral interventions, safety protocols,& specialized schedules, causing interruptions & lost instructional time for general education classrooms.

ASD centers require intensive staffing & additional resources, straining available classrooms, support programs, & administrative attention. This makes it harder for general education teachers to access instructional supports and enrichment programs that drive academic achievement.

Higher teacher turnover occurs in schools with co-located ASD programs as staff seek more predictable environments. General education classes often end up with less experienced teachers & frequent staffing changes. The added stress of managing mixed populations also reduces teacher effectiveness since more focus shifts to behavioral management rather than academic excellence.

Shared spaces limit access to enrichment and advanced coursework. Unpredictable noise and emergency protocols can affect the calm, secure setting general education learners need. Mainstreaming ASD students can introduce additional challenges, reducing instructional time & predictability in classrooms.

All students deserve settings that support their educational goals. Co-locating programs with sharply different priorities often leads to one group’s needs taking precedence, reducing opportunities for academic enrichment & causing families concerned about educational quality to leave.
We urge you to provide separate facilities so both groups can experience high-quality, focused learning environments.

Hello,

I am one of the many moms who has an autistic child in the Broward school system. I will say that my first experience into the school system with him almost made me homeschool. Coming from a school like Baudhuin, our Broward schools just aren’t equipped to work with our kids the way a school like Baudhuin or SFACS are.

We really would love to have a district-run autism school like the South Florida charter school. Our kids and families need this. Many families are either moving or having to drive down to Miami to have access to programs that our kids desperately need and deserve.

I appreciate you taking the time to acknowledge my comment.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Gomez