During both A and B lunches in front of the Guidance Office on Nov. 17-18, students could scan a QR code for a Microsoft Form that allowed them to vote on three different schedules offered by Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) for the 2026-2027 school year. This followed intense backlash and a petition with thousands of signatures urging the preservation of the block schedule.
BCPS’ decision to change school schedules is aimed at addressing the budget deficit; the removal of block scheduling is estimated to save the district $35 million due to reductions in teacher pay. BCPS formally cited their reasons for the change as declining enrollment, rising operating costs and funding constraints.
The first schedule option involved a standard daily schedule of seven classes. The second schedule option involved a ‘Rotator 7’ schedule, where students attend six out of seven classes daily on a rotating basis, with slightly longer class times than the first. The third schedule option was a ‘Modified Block’ schedule, with seven classes on rotation but a shorter first period that meets daily, as well as the longest class times.
The student vote will be considered in the decision-making process, followed by school administration. Each individual school within the district gets to choose one of the six options presented by BCPS.
“My first reaction was outrage and anger,” Head Broward Teachers Union (BTU) Steward and debate instructor Jacob Abraham said. “The first time the district HR Chief and CFO met with union Stewards for all middle and high schools proposing the plan to us on Oct. 28. We resoundingly pushed back and rejected the proposal because study hall is valuable, asking a teacher to teach one additional class while cutting a planning period and reducing access to extra period pay is a violation of the collective bargaining agreement and common decency.”
There is a School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting that will be held on Dec. 3 in the Media Center at 3:15 p.m. Prior to the SAC meeting, Principal Michelle Kefford will meet with the Student Government Association to review options.
“At that meeting, a ballot will be created and voted upon,” Kefford said. “And then that ballot will go to the staff for a vote. Once the result of that vote is determined, the outcome will be our schedule.”
By Dec. 12, instructional staff at each school in Broward County will formally vote to determine which seven-period schedule they will adopt. If an option is not approved by Dec. 12, the school will adopt a straight-seven schedule for the 2026-2027 school year.
None of the options include an eighth period, leading students to assume that study hall classes will most likely not be included in any of the three choices. However, BCPS notes that for all scheduling options, teachers teach six out of seven classes.
“I voted for the modified block schedule because I don’t want to have more than 4 classes a day. It gives me more time to do homework,” freshman Haleigh Mills said. “I wish that we could take study hall as an elective.”
Broward Exceptional Student Education Advisory invites students and parents to attend the meeting on Nov. 19 at 6:15 p.m. to discuss the planned changes to the school day and their impacts on students and staff.
