Hollywood Hills Elementary School, 1926 Image courtesy of The Broward County Historical Commission

New School Year Off to a
Great and Early Start

On Monday, August 8, 2005 Broward County’s students traded in their remote controls, skateboards and rollerblades for squeaky new sneakers, pencils and backpacks as they joined faculty and staff for the new school year.

Dr. Till having lunch with students at McNab Elementary

This year, the District expects approximately 275,000 K-12 students to attend its 262 schools. Dolphin Bay Elementary in Pembroke Pines and Gulfstream Middle in Hallandale will be opening their doors for the first time.

Superintendent Frank Till started the first day of school at 6 a.m. at the Central West Bus Depot; visited several schools; enjoyed lunch with students at McNab Elementary and concluded the day with a media briefing at Sunrise Middle School.

This is the earliest start date in the history of Broward County Public Schools. Many people questioned why we moved the start date up in the year. The following are a few of the advantages of starting school early include:

• Complete first semester examinations prior to winter break
• Aligned hiring teachers with other districts in Florida; teacher employment is at a disadvantage currently as other districts begin earlier
• School calendar more closely aligned with Florida’s college/university calendars allowing early graduates to matriculate to college in the spring
• Greater number of instructional days before administering the FCAT, Advanced Placement and IB examinations
• Increased first week of school enrollment; start school before Labor Day
• Accommodate band, science, math. sports, etc. summer camps/college programs that start before our current end of school year date

Christine Young
Clerk Specialist IV,
School Boundaries

Work location: K.C. Wright Building, Fort Lauderdale

Broward County Public Schools employee since: April 2003

Most memorable work experience: Being “on camera” to help produce an instructional video at BECON studios that describes the Annual Boundary process

Most memorable personal experience: In my early 20s I worked as a musician in an all-girl band by the name of The Debutantes; a New York talent agency arranged a four-month tour of Germany, where we performed for the U.S. troops stationed there. They stood up, screamed and cheered for us as if we were famous superstars; it was an incredibly thrilling experience!

Greatest work accomplishment: I was the office manager for a small company where the database software we were using to run the business was problematic and about to fail. I took the initiative to find the best replacement software and familiarized myself with the product. Then I imported the database files from the old system and developed the new queries, forms and reports needed to run the business. It was a seamless transition, which I was able to complete in about two weeks.

What I like most about my job: Working with a great group of people - the School Boundaries department has a staff of just nine members and we work well as a team. Tom Moore, our director, is a true pleasure to work for.

I’m currently reading: Carl Hiaasen’s Skinny Dip

How I spent my summer: My family has an annual two-week get together in Arcadia, Michigan (a quaint harbor town on Lake Michigan); this year it was bigger and better than ever with more than 40 people attending.

Favorite saying: Never stop learning.If I won the lottery: I would sell my home in west Sunrise and move downtown, help my family and then give generously to some charities close to my heart

Favorite food: Baltimore steamed crabs

Something you probably didn’t know about me: For 15 years I made a living as a professional musician; on weekends, I still perform as an emcee/party motivator at events such as weddings and corporate parties.

If I could pick someone out of history to have lunch with, I would choose: Hillary Rodham Clinton

Three words that describe me best: Shy, honest and creative

Chocolate, vanilla or strawberry? Chocolate

Favorite movie: Gone with the Wind

Best advice I ever received: Stop renting and invest in real estate

Nominated for this profile by: Jill Young,
School Boundaries, Demographer Specialist