Forest Glen Families Rally to Save A-Rated School From Possible Closure

by David Volz September 16, 2026

by David Volz September 16, 2026 2 minutes read

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School board members Lori Alhadeff and Debra Hixon. {David Volz}

Parents, educators, students and community leaders are joining forces to keep Forest Glen Middle School open as Broward County Public Schools considers closing the under-enrolled campus.

Forest Glen is among several schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn has identified for possible closure as the district confronts declining enrollment.

Coral Springs commissioners joined parents, teachers and students from Forest Glen and surrounding schools for a community meeting Sept. 14 at Coral Springs High School.

The latest district figures show Forest Glen, located at 6501 Turtle Run Blvd., has 733 students enrolled despite having space for 1,627.

Although enrollment has fallen, the A-rated school has built a strong reputation for its academic offerings and award-winning band and chorus programs.

During the meeting, parents, educators and students urged district officials to preserve the school and described the role its programs have played in students’ lives.

Anthony Zoeller, director of the school’s chorus program, said he has watched students become more mature and confident through their participation in chorus.

Zoeller also said uncertainty over the school’s future has contributed to its enrollment decline, with some families transferring their children because they feared Forest Glen would close.

Several parents and students expressed concern about a proposal that could place seventh- and eighth-grade students on the Coral Springs High School campus. They questioned whether middle school students should regularly interact with high school students who may be as old as 18.

One student asked how younger students would participate in athletics, music and clubs alongside older students. Others spoke about their positive experiences in Forest Glen’s debate, band, chorus and other programs.

Commissioner Joshua Simmons said he believes Forest Glen should remain open and that city leaders are willing to work with the school district to strengthen enrollment and expand its programs.

Mayor Scott Brook also said the city wants to partner with the district to make Forest Glen sustainable so it can continue serving local families.

Parents and teachers attended the meeting. {David Volz}

Valerie Wanza, the district’s chief strategy and innovation officer, acknowledged that families want to preserve their neighborhood schools. However, she said Broward County schools are under-enrolled and that changes are necessary.

One proposal to strengthen Forest Glen is to create a music academy for students interested in developing their musical talents.

The Broward County School Board is expected to make its final decision on school closures Dec. 15, according to Wanza.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.