Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Dr. Howard Hepburn was officially sworn in as the new Superintendent for Broward County Public Schools.

During a swearing-in ceremony on May 29, Hepburn, flanked by his wife, Kathleen C. Wright, took the oath of office, replacing Peter B. Licata who resigned in April 2024 after only 10 months on the job due to health reasons.

Hepburn, 45, was picked as his replacement on the same day Licata announced his resignation.

Hepburn, the fifth Broward County Schools superintendent in three years, inked a three-year deal worth $340,000 in annual salary.

He oversees the sixth largest school district in the nation with 326 schools and about 251,196 students in education centers.

Hepburn said he is committed to staying in the position and bringing positive changes to the sixth largest school system in the nation.

“I am elated, it feels really good to know that I am in a well-oiled machine, a very talented district," he said during the swearing-in ceremony. "We have a lot of talent in our building. We have a lot of challenges that we have to address. We have the staff that’s more than capable of executing our plan."

In his first act as superintendent, Hepburn is expected to present a plan to the school board to close eight schools that are currently under enrollment due to parents sending their kids to charter or private schools.

The schools include Oakridge Elementary in Hollywood, Broward Estates Elementary in Lauderhill and Olsen Middle School in Dania Beach.

He will seek public input before making a final decision.

If Hepburn proposes to close the eight schools, it will be done by the 2025-2026 school year and could save the school district about $4.5 million.

Hepburn was previously deputy superintendent for Broward County Public Schools under Licata.

He was instructional superintendent for the Palm Beach County school district from 2016 to 2023 and principal for Orange County Public Schools from 2011 to 2016.

Hepburn earned his doctor’s degree from Florida South College and master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida.

The Broward County school district has seen five superintendents since 2021.

Roberto Runcie resigned after he was arrested on a felony charge of perjury following a grand jury review of safety and security issues arising during the Marjory Stoneman Doulgas High school shooting massacre.

Vicky Cartwright replaced him on an interim basis in 2021 and got the job permanently that same year.

Cartwright was fired in 2022 by the Broward County School Board but newly elected board members rescinded her termination and allowed her to resign in early 2023.

Dr. Earlene Smiley served as an interim until the board picked Licata.