HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn planned to meet students at six schools on Monday, the first day of the district’s 2026-2027 academic school year.

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Hepburn, 47, started early Monday morning with school bus drivers in Davie at the Central West Transportation Terminal, which handles nearly 1,000 routes.

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Hepburn, who took over in April 2024, said a stop-arm camera program is in the works to help enforce Florida’s school bus stop law.

The 30-day warning period runs from Monday to Sept. 8. Enforcement starts on Sept. 9 with $225 civil penalty for violations.

Related link: More on school bus safety program

Hepburn visited Hallandale Beach Magnet High School, which adopted a four-day class week with programs in entrepreneurship and tech. Friday is their day off.

Pompano Beach High School, one of the best-performing BCPS campuses, served as a model for the four-day work week at BCPS, promoting the use of Fridays for internships.

Related story: Broward students head back to class as school consolidations bring changes to some campuses

In Fort Lauderdale, Hepburn also visited Sunrise Middle School. He took a break for a short workout in the school’s Sports Academy’s new gym.

“This is just one of the great partnerships that we have with the city of Fort Lauderdale,” Hepburn said.

Bennett Elementary School and Fort Lauderdale High School also house a Sports Academy to help students explore careers in sports, health, fitness, and athletics.

Hepburn also visited Atlantic West Elementary School in Margate.

Related link: Superintedent’s back-to-school message

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