Potential New Horizons for North Fork Elementary in Fort Lauderdale
North Fork Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale, set to shutter soon, could experience a renaissance through either a workforce training center for high school students or an innovative campus featuring housing and a hotel.
Located at 101 NW 15th Ave., the campus of North Fork Elementary is one of seven schools the district plans to close due to dwindling enrollment, as reported by the Broward School Board. However, its prime location off Broward Boulevard near Interstate 95 has attracted several redevelopment proposals.
Junior Achievement of South Florida was quick to express interest, suggesting a “Workforce Innovation Center” for career readiness education for high school students across the district. Meanwhile, another proposal, “Sistrunk Rising,” envisions a “cradle-to-career” campus including a school, resource center, housing, and hotel.
The Museum of Discovery and Science also put forward a plan to create a science and technology-based curriculum at North Fork, contingent upon the school remaining operational, said Joseph Cox, the museum’s president and CEO.
The School Board is expected to make its final decision on January 21, but Superintendent Howard Hepburn has already recommended closure, with board members showing unanimous support at a December workshop.
Further workshops will be held to assess the proposals for North Fork as well as other schools facing closure: Plantation Middle, Bair Middle, Sunshine Elementary, Panther Run Elementary, Palm Cove Elementary, and Sea Gull Alternative High.
“I am open to reviewing existing and future proposals that will be received by the District for the North Fork community up to March 2026,” School Board member Jeff Holness stated. “I am personally interested in proposals that make good business sense for the district and proposals that have real input from the residents” of his district.
The Junior Achievement proposal has garnered support from local leaders, including Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis and Coconut Creek Mayor Jackie Railey, as well as organizations like the Broward Workshop and the United Way of Broward County.
The organization has pledged $10 million for new construction, along with smaller commitments, according to Laurie Sallarulo, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of South Florida.
Board member Lori Alhadeff has shown support for the Junior Achievement initiative, noting, “I do think career training programs, wherever we can implement them into our schools, is something that is very up-and-coming and something we should be doing.”
Junior Achievement currently operates the JA World Huizenga Center at Broward College in Coconut Creek, serving fifth- and eighth-graders with experiential learning programs. The proposed North Fork center aims to extend this to high school students.
Sallarulo emphasized the importance of a central location, stating, “Every single student from across 31 high schools will be served. In order to do that, you’ve got to be centrally located and off a main highway.”
The Sistrunk Rising initiative, led by Community Based Connections Inc., proposes a science and technology-focused school, career readiness programs, and adult education. The plan includes partnerships with the Minority Builders Coalition and the Broward Teachers Union.
The proposal features around 200 affordable housing units, primarily targeting teachers, and a Teacher–Family Resource Center co-managed with the Broward Teachers Union.
Funding remains a critical hurdle, as the district aims to save on administrative costs and generate revenue through property sales or leases. The Junior Achievement plan seeks a minimal-cost lease, while Sistrunk Rising proposes a discounted long-term lease.
Board member Allen Zeman underscored the need for financial viability, stating, “The board made it very clear…we needed to get market rent if we were going to lease the land, and we needed to get the highest bidder if we were going to sell the land.”
Sallarulo noted the advantage of leveraging the existing school infrastructure, saying, “They don’t have to maintain the property, and they still own it.”
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