Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered a blunt assessment of Broward County Public Schools on Monday, saying the district’s long list of problems may warrant placing it into a state receivership.
Speaking at a news conference in Davie, where he was announcing a decrease in homeowners insurance premiums, DeSantis responded to a reporter’s question about the district by agreeing with the criticism laid out. The governor said the reporter had accurately summarized what he described as a “laundry list of failures” within the Broward school system.
“Honestly, it’s been a disaster,” DeSantis said. “Let’s just be honest. It’s been a disaster in many different ways.” He argued that the district is being run to serve entrenched interests rather than families, pointing specifically to the influence of school unions. According to DeSantis, parents and students have been pushed aside as bureaucracy and special interests take priority.
The governor’s comments come as Broward County Public Schools continues to see a sharp decline in enrollment. The district has lost more than 9,000 students since last year, a significant drop that has forced school leaders to confront hard realities. In December, the superintendent recommended closing seven schools and consolidating them with others as part of an effort to “right-size” the district after years of declining enrollment.
DeSantis suggested that the situation in Broward is not unique and said there are several areas around the state where more aggressive action may be needed. He raised the possibility of a receivership, which would place the district under the control of the Florida Department of Education.
The governor said the next step would be to examine what authority already exists under state law and whether additional action by the Legislature would be required. He said the issue should be evaluated by the state’s education commissioner to determine whether a receivership could be implemented under current statutes or whether lawmakers would need to step in.
“There’s a handful of spots around the state where maybe thrusting some of these entities into receivership may be the best way going forward,” DeSantis said, signaling that Broward could be among those districts.
Broward County School Board Chair Sarah Leonardi pushed back on the governor’s remarks, striking a more conciliatory tone. She acknowledged that large organizations can always improve efficiency and said the district is open to working with the governor and his staff.
Leonardi said the school board is transparent and willing to collaborate, emphasizing that district leaders are prepared to engage with state officials. She also extended an invitation to DeSantis, encouraging him to visit Broward schools in person to see what she described as students who are thriving.
The exchange sets the stage for further debate over the future of the district as it grapples with falling enrollment and potential school closures. A separate news conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to outline the district’s priorities for the second half of the school year, as Broward leaders attempt to reassure families and chart a path forward amid growing scrutiny from the state.
