Re: Dolphin Bay Elementary possible closure

Please reconsider the closure of Dolphin Bay Elementary. Local parents have chosen this school over a multitude of other options precisely because it's an A-rated facility with top-tier staff who can cater to specialized needs. The value and support it provides to the community is multiples of any budget shortfall; closing it will have a significantly negative effect on the area and the District as a whole.

As difficult as it may be, consolidating Dolphin Bay and Silver Lakes into the Dolphin Bay campus will be the least disruptive and most cost effective option, which solves the utilization rate concerns while still allowing for cost savings and a public relations victory - only one school was closed versus two.

A major factor in my choice to reside in Broward is the fact I can send my child to Dolphin Bay. Without that, it becomes a fruitless exercise in looking for a school that's as good as DBE. I doubt my chances.

I am writing as a Dolphin Bay Elementary parent regarding the proposed changes involving Dolphin Bay, Silver Lakes, and Glades Middle.

I respectfully ask the Board to fully consider combining Dolphin Bay and Silver Lakes at the Dolphin Bay campus and preserving a traditional Pre-K–5 elementary model for the Southwest Region.

According to information shared with our parent community, this option would bring Dolphin Bay enrollment to approximately 86%. Dolphin Bay has the higher enrollment, a newer building with greater capacity, and has maintained an A rating. It would also preserve a traditional elementary option for families who do not want a K–8 model.

I am one of the many families who intentionally chose Dolphin Bay through school choice. My family moved from Illinois, and I researched Broward schools extensively. Dolphin Bay stood out because of its academics, programs, reputation, and culture. I willingly commute because I believe this school is worth choosing.

This proposal could also preserve intensive and specialized Pre-K, autism, and other programs while providing room for future growth. Some students have already been displaced by the closure of Panther Run, and another transition should not be taken lightly.

There are also serious capacity questions regarding the Glades proposal. Dolphin Bay and Silver Lakes together use approximately 40 K–5 classrooms, in addition to Pre-K programs. How will these students and programs fit into the proposed space at Glades?

Approximately 40% of Dolphin Bay students attend through school choice, and our parent survey reportedly shows over 91% do not plan to send their child to Glades as a K–8 school. If those families leave for other schools, this proposal may worsen enrollment rather than solve it.

Please fully evaluate the Dolphin Bay/Silver Lakes combination before making a final decision. This option addresses enrollment while preserving programs, family choice, and a successful school that families continue to seek out.

BCPS didn't give Silver Lakes and Dolphin Bay the opportunity to discuss or give our opinion about closing the schools and move the students to a middle school campus, before approving a Big budget to make bathrooms in the middle school

My daughter attends Dolphin Bay Elementary as a school choice. I CHOSE this school for her as it has been a consistently A rated school. I can't understand the thought process behind closing an A rated school in favor of a mediocre one. I also don't understand the insistence upon K-8 schools becoming the only option parents will have.
The Dolphin Bay community has made it very clear that Glades K-8 school will not be the choice for our children. We propose combining Dolphin Bay with Silver Lakes Elementary to keep a traditional Elementary school option available to parents. Dolphin Bay Elementary has a culture that has proven very successful for all of its students over the years, and has been guided by strong steady leadership.
Give Dolphin Bay a chance. Support the school that is actually what a school should be; academically successful. I understand that everything comes down to money, it always does. As I understand it, you have 8+ million to spend on renovations for a school in hopes that parents send their children there. Why not take some of that and add more programs to Dolphin Bay like music and language classes. This could help attract more students. We don't need renovations, just programs and it won't cost 8+ million.
An overwhelming majority of Dolphin Bay parents have already stated that they will NOT be sending their children to Glades K-8. I am one of those parents. The issue of under enrollment will persists at all schools if you don't come up with better options. We are proposing a better option. Combining both Elementary schools will bring enrollment up to 80+%. Give us a chance. Keep Dolphin Bay open.

A traditional elementary school should remain a traditional elementary school. Elementary students will inevitably share spaces with middle school students during arrival, dismissal, lunch, specials, early pickups, and after school activities. That is not the environment many families chose for their young children.

If enrollment adjustments are necessary, combine Silver Lakes Elementary and Dolphin Bay Elementary into one traditional elementary school and preserve a neighborhood elementary option in West Miramar.

Before assigning elementary students to Glades, has anyone asked why so many parents already choose not to send their children there for middle school? State verified SESIR reports show consistent incidents year after year. Parents do not send their children to Glades Middle for safety concerns.

Many families have already stated they will not send their elementary aged children to Glades if this conversion moves forward. This proposal will not solve declining enrollment. It will accelerate it.

Please keep Dolphin Bay Elementary open.

I am Samarys Salas, a DBE parent and Miramar 33027 resident. I ask the Board to pause the closure and Glades K–8 transition and authorize a two-year enrollment-recovery pilot.
BCPS reports 397 students at DBE, down from 480 last year and 589 in 22–23. Our target is 581 students—70% utilization—requiring 184 additional students over two years, about 90 per year. A realistic/achivable goal.
The District-supported plan should expand Pre-K to build a K5 pipeline; open enrollment and school-choice access; add funded dual-language, STEM/STEAM, arts, enrichment, after-school and summer programs; provide multilingual marketing, tours and enrollment events; partner with childcare centers, HOAs, realtors, community organizations and Miramar; contact families who transferred or did not complete registration to identify barriers; and report quarterly on applications, registrations, retention and progress toward 581 students.
This can be achieved well below the promised $8 mil to reconstruct Glades and accommodate DBE and SLE.
Dolphin Bay’s ESE cluster must be protected as a complete elementary program, not merely transferred on paper. The pilot should guarantee elementary-appropriate placement; certified ESE teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff; appropriate staffing ratios and class sizes; uninterrupted IEP services, therapies and accommodations; sensory and specialized learning spaces; safe transportation; and continuity for students and families.
No child should lose services or trusted personnel because of restructuring! Before relocation, BCPS should publish an impact and capacity analysis proving Glades can safely accommodate young children and every required service without weakening the program.
Protect elementary cluster programs, improve marketing, add fully resourced options and address concerns about placing young children on a middle-school campus. These concerns demand a solution—not simply closure.
Please require quarterly reviews and evaluations after each enrollment cycle. Only if Dolphin Bay misses benchmarks after two years of adequate funding and implementation should consolidation be reconsidered. Give this school a fair opportunity to recover before making an irreversible decision!

Members of the Board, Superintendent, and honored community members,
​I am not just as a parent, I am helping provide a voice for every child whose second home is threatened by the proposed closure of our elementary school.
​An elementary school is far more than bricks, mortar, and classrooms. It is the heart of our neighborhood. It is where our youngest minds first learn to read, to question, to collaborate, and to care for one another. It is where dedicated teachers work tirelessly to ignite a lifelong passion for learning and where lifelong friendships begin.
​When you discuss closing a school, the conversation often shifts toward budget spreadsheets, operational efficiencies, and demographic projections. But numbers on a page cannot capture the spirit of our school's community. They do not measure:
​The irreplaceable relationships built between students, teachers, and staff who know every child by name.
​The stability and safety a neighborhood school provides to young children who rely on predictable routines and familiar surroundings.
​The vibrant community anchor that brings families together for school events, volunteer projects, and shared milestones.
​Uprooting our children and dispersing them into larger, unfamiliar environments will disrupt their academic progress and emotional well-being. The burden of longer commutes, crowded classrooms, and lost community ties falls directly on the shoulders of our youngest, most vulnerable learners.
​We recognize the difficult fiscal choices before you, but closing our school should never be the path of least resistance. We ask you to look beyond short-term financial adjustments and consider the long-term impact on our children’s futures and the health of our neighborhood.
​Our children deserve stability. They deserve a school where they are known, valued, and supported. On behalf of the families, educators, and neighbors who make this community whole, I urge you: keep our Dolphin Bay open. Preserve our school, protect our children's future, and keep the heart of our community beating strong.
​Thank you.

Dear School Board Members,

I am writing to you from my own personal experience with Dolphin Bay Elementary School. Dolphin Bay has been an important part of my family and our community, and I truly hope you will consider keeping it open.

One of the things that means the most to me about Dolphin Bay is the familiarity it provides. Children thrive when they feel safe, comfortable, and familiar with their surroundings. Having a place they know, routines they understand, and an environment where they feel secure can make a big difference in their ability to learn and grow.

The K–5 setting at Dolphin Bay is also a choice that families have made for their children. It gives families the opportunity to choose an environment that works for their individual needs. I believe that choice is important and should be respected.

The ESE services at Dolphin Bay have also been outstanding in my experience. I have seen how important consistency and familiarity can be for children receiving these services. A major change in their school environment could be overwhelming and, for some children, could potentially lead to regression instead of continued progress.

I understand that the school district has difficult decisions to make, but I hope you will look beyond the numbers and consider the children and families who are personally affected. Dolphin Bay is not just a building. It is a familiar and meaningful part of our community.

I respectfully ask you to consider the impact that closing Dolphin Bay could have on our children and families. Please allow them to continue learning and growing in a place where they feel safe, comfortable, and supported.

Hello,

I'm strongly opposed towards the closure of Dolphin Bay Elementary.

We the parents and community strongly propose to combine Dolphin Bay Elementary and Silver Lakes Elementary on the Dolphin Bay campus to keep a top rated PK-5 Elementary School option open in Miramar. We also have a survey taken by parents of Dolphin Bay students only that confirm a great majority of parents (91.09% of DBE's parents who took the survey so far) will NOT send their kids to Glades for the proposed K-8 plan. 100.00% of DBE's parent's who took the survey agree with the combination of the two elementary schools and 94% do not feel heard at the last school Board meeting. The petition to keep Dolphin Bay open has already surpassed 2400 signatures as well.

Please do not close Dolphin Bay as it is a top-rated school in the area and the majority of parents have already confirmed they would not be supporting this proposal and will not be sending their children to Glades due to overwhelming amount of documented reported incidents of violence, bullying, physical abuse, incident with a weapon and sexual harassment. That's approximately 350 of the 393 current students confirming they will not be sending their kids to Glades if the current rates of the poll continues. That is way too dominating and significant of a statistic and poll to overlook. That would defy the whole point (which already was not properly mapped out) of spending over 8.5MM towards building bathrooms in Glades for rooms that will ultimately still not be utilized from how strongly the community feels about not sending their kids to Glades for the proposed K-8 plan. Save the 8.5MM, merge Sunset Lakes at Dolphin Bay to be at 85% occupancy.

We chose Dolphin Bay Elementary and applied to school choice because it is a K through 5 school. Parents need to have that option. Not everyone wants a K through 8. Also a lot of parents chose the school because it offers a los of options for kids with special needs. Almost half the children there are school choice. Please take in consideration that, as those parents will choose something else, like Charter schools. A lot of parents have expressed that already.

I am respectfully opposed to the proposed closure of Dolphin Bay Elementary. Dolphin Bay has been home to many children in the ESE program who have benefited tremendously from the support, dedication, and continued efforts of the staff and school community.
Parents choose Dolphin Bay for a reason. For many families, the school provides an environment where their children feel supported, understood, and able to thrive. I respectfully ask the Board to consider the voices of the families who rely on this school and the impact that closing it would have on our community.
There is significant feedback from Dolphin Bay families that I hope the Board will take into consideration:
A parent survey shows that 91.09% of Dolphin Bay parents who participated stated that they would not send their children to Glades K-8.
100% of parents who participated in the survey support combining Dolphin Bay and Silver Lakes Elementary.
Rather than closing Dolphin Bay, I believe there is an opportunity to explore combining Dolphin Bay and Silver Lakes into one strong, Pre-K through 5th grade elementary school that can serve both ESE and general education students. This could create a larger elementary school community while preserving access to programs and support that families value.
We also need to consider the needs of incoming students, particularly children entering Pre-K. Having strong elementary school options available gives young children the opportunity to begin their education in an environment that meets their needs from an early age.
I respectfully ask the Board to listen to the families who have spoken, review the feedback and petition, and carefully consider alternatives to closing Dolphin Bay Elementary. Our children deserve to have their educational needs and the voices of their families taken seriously when decisions are made about their schools and their future.

Hi Board,

While I understand we are in an unfortunate situation to have to consider consolidating schools. I believe there were ideas, input and feedback that have not been able to be expressed appropriately because of the lack of communication from you all to the community, as it feels that we found out after you all already made an informal decision without our input.

1. We were told that the investment/budget to update and add bathrooms to Glades Middle School was part of this discussion during the parent/community meeting on September 10th 2026 However, Robin Bartleman posted on her social media platform that the renovation was already underway on August 10th 2026. Can we please get confirmation on whether the renovation already started and was approved or if this is still part of the proposal to be voted on in December? This reflects a decision already made without engaging the community that ultimately employs each and everyone of you through taxes and votes.

2. Much of the Miramar community has wanted to keep traditional K through 5 elementary school for many reasons... Safety, traditional school process etc. However, since last year the main proposals and options given to the community was either be a k through 8 or close... It was not a fair option or opportunity for parents to share their interest in a traditional elementary school.

3. Overall, my family is proposing that we keep a traditional K through 5 elementary school. And merge two of the existing elementary schools which would likely get above 80% occupancy. Which would solve two issues .. keeping a traditional elementary and get to the occupancy level needed to fund 3 or 4 or more specials. I.e. Language , music, phy-ed, art etc. Id like to propose an A school to remain, Dolphin Bay. Great ESE program and overall has a 40% school choice attendance today which is a tell tale sign the teachers are doing something right.

4. I'd also like to propose the $8+ million budget that is earmarked unnecessary for adding bathrooms to glades.. to go towards marketing efforts to highlight why public schools should be considered and investment in the appropriate programs to keep the public schools competitive.

Safety concerns are not “transition concerns.” They are safety concerns. Parents are reviewing the district’s own SESIR reports and do not support placing elementary aged children on a shared campus with older students.

Please consider combining Silver Lakes Elementary and Dolphin Bay Elementary into one traditional elementary school for West Miramar. This would preserve a neighborhood elementary option and provide a safer, more developmentally appropriate environment for our youngest students.

When does this end. At the rate BCPS is going redefining the schools will become an every year issue and soon enough you will have no more public schools. Instead of figuring out why enrollment continues to drop by surveying as just one example. You’ve decided closing the schools and converting them into k-8 is the more suitable option. That limits the choices for parents who want a traditional elementary school for their child. Enrollment will continue to be an issue until someone does there job. Merging elementary schools is a safer option but that’s not a solution. BCPS clearly has an agenda that clearly does not serve the families of its county. Show us the marketing you’ve done to promote our public schools - dolphin bay to be exact. There are better solutions that you’re ignoring but will ultimately suffer from the results.

Do not close Dolphin Bay Elementary. Instead, combine Dolphin Bay Elementary and Silver Lakes Elementary at the Dolphin Bay campus and preserve a traditional Pre-K through fifth-grade elementary school for our community. Dolphin Bay is the newer facility, has been an A-rated school, and has the classroom capacity to accommodate both school communities. Combining the schools would put utilization at 86%.
Approximately 40% of Dolphin Bay students are school-choice. Families chose Dolphin Bay intentionally, and the District should not automatically assume that every one of those families will follow Dolphin Bay to Glades.
Also, both Dolphin Bay and Silver Lakes serve Specialized and Intensive Pre-K students, students with autism, and students receiving ESE services. For many ESE students, particularly children with autism, developmental delays and communication challenges, their school environment is not interchangeable. These children should not become an afterthought in a facilities discussion. Yet much of the public conversation has focused on enrollment percentages, school buildings and utilization.
We need the same level of detailed discussion about Pre-K, ASD and ESE.

Please do not close Dolphin Bay Elementary. We propose to combine Dolphin Bay Elementary and Silver Lakes Elementary on the Dolphin Bay campus to keep a high-quality PK-5 Elementary School option open and available in the SW corner of Miramar. We have a survey that we can share with the Board where 91.09% of DBE's parents who took the survey will NOT send their kids to Glades K-8. 100.00% of DBE's parent's who took the survey agree with the combination of the two elementary schools and 94% do not feel heard at the last school Board meeting. We have a live Petition asking to save Dolphin Bay, this petition has reached 2,402 signatures! We would be happy to share the analytics with the Board.

Do not close Dolphin Bay! We need a traditional PreK-5 in West Miramar, besides that kept Dolphin open will guarantee the excellent ESE program for children that needs in the community. Dolphin is a rate -A school, we need to kept this option for the community around.

Re: Dolphin Bay Elementary. Combine Dolphin Bay Elementary (DBE) and Silver Lakes Elementary (SLE) on the Dolphin Bay campus to keep a high-quality PK-5 Elementary School option open and available in the SW corner of Miramar and the county. DBE will provide a warm, welcoming and appropriate setting for all students, but especially those transfering from SLE, and especially PK students and K-5 students receiving ESE services. DBE is well located and already has accessible facilities designed with young students in mind. This combination will result in 85%+ utilization at DBE and is projected to stay above 70% for more than 5 years, making it a fiscally responsible and sustainable choice for the long haul. This combination would be a win for our students, families and district.