Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Encouraging The School Board Of Broward County To Explore All Alternatives To Closing Public Schools And Seeking Authorization For The Preferred Right To Purchase, At Fair Market Value, Any Surplus School Board Of Broward County Property Located Within The City Of Hollywood.
Strategic Plan Focus
Economic Vitality
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Resolution.
Explanation:
Beginning in 2023, the School Board of Broward County directed the School Superintendent to set forth the Redefining Our Schools initiative in an effort to address the current and projected enrollment shortfalls facing Broward County Public Schools (BCPS). This initiative has resulted in several community engagement opportunities and public workshops to solicit input from community stakeholders. As part of these discussions, BCPS has outlined several options for repurposing School Board of Broward County-owned facilities. Among the strategies the School Board is considering to “right-size” the school district is the closure of an undetermined number of underenrolled school facilities across Broward County. Should the closure of public schools be deemed necessary, it is only right that the local jurisdiction, which is most attuned to the needs of its residents, be allowed to address the serious impacts of such a closure through a community-based vision and plan for the future by having the right to purchase any surplus Broward County School properties.
As such, at the March 20, 2024 City Commission meeting, the City Commission directed staff to bring back a resolution which (1) encourages the School Board of Broward County to explore all alternatives to closing public schools; and (2) seeks authorization for the preferred right to purchase, at fair market value, any surplus BCPS property located within the City of Hollywood.
This resolution, if approved, will be shared with the School Board of Broward County, the Broward County Commission, and provided to all cities located within Broward County.
Fiscal Impact:
Approval of this Resolution will not fiscally impact the City.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Raelin Storey, Assistant City Manager
Adam Reichbach, Assistant City Manager for Finance and Administration