When Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn sat down with Student Advisor Landyn Spellberg, their conversation wasn’t just about buildings and technology – it was about people. The SMART Bond Program, he explained, has shaped how students learn, how teachers teach and how families feel about the spaces their children learn in every day.
The voter-approved SMART Bond Program funds upgrades across BCPS in the areas of Safety, Music & Art, Athletics, Renovation and Technology. Since its launch, the program has transformed learning environments with projects ranging from modernized media centers and upgraded arts spaces to new STEM labs and laptops in classrooms.
As Dr. Hepburn explained, updated spaces can spark new energy in students, and that is evident in campuses across the District. At Northeast High School, students now gather in a modern building designed with collaboration in mind. “It provides opportunities to dive in and be more creative. Students can accomplish tasks they couldn’t have completed with previous types of equipment,” Hepburn added.
At Stranahan High School, lunch breaks look different thanks to a cafeteria modeled after an upscale food court, complete with flexible seating and an outdoor courtyard.
Both spaces promote student connections, the sharing of ideas and instill school pride.
The SMART Bond Program has also helped increase safety in schools. Every BCPS campus now has a single point of entry, giving families greater peace of mind as all visitors check in at the main office before entering campus. New and renovated buildings are designed with the highest safety standards in mind, from secured entryways to locked doors and other enhancements that safeguard students and staff. These improvements work quietly in the background each day, but their impact is lasting.
The program’s reach extends beyond school walls. By partnering with local vendors and contractors, the SMART Bond Project has generated jobs and kept dollars circulating in the community. “It’s had an immediate economic impact on our local communities,” Dr. Hepburn noted.
And even though the program is winding down, planning hasn’t stopped. BCPS is conducting a Districtwide facility conditions assessment to identify what’s next – whether that’s roofing repairs, HVAC upgrades or new classroom technology.
For Dr. Hepburn, the driving force behind the SMART Bond Program has always been the students. It’s about giving them the tools and environments to feel inspired, supported and ready to succeed. That legacy will live on in every classroom, cafeteria and lab across the District.
Want to hear more from Dr. Hepburn? Be sure to watch the full conversation in the video above.
