Atlantic West Welcomes Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn and Board Members on First Day of School

by David Volz August 10, 2026

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Debra Hixon Howard Hepburn Arlene Schwartz Sarah Leonardi Shereen Reynolds

School Board Member Debra Hixon, Superintendent Howard Hepburn, Commissioner Arlene Schwartz, School Board Member Sarah Leonardi, and Principal Shereen Reynolds. {David Volz}

Atlantic West Elementary School in Margate celebrated the first day of school by welcoming Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn and school board members Debra Hixon and Sarah Leonardi, along with other Broward Schools administrators.

They arrived during lunch period and spent some time working with cafeteria staff to serve lunch. Hepburn and board members sat down with the students, ate lunch of corn dogs and hamburgers, and talked with them about goals and plans for the upcoming year.

Shereen Reynolds, Atlantic West’s principal, is excited about the new school year and believes the school offers children many opportunities. She is especially proud that the school earned an A for the first time in 15 years.

“We have many good opportunities for our students, and this year we are introducing drone technology. We are a STEM school, and we have clubs for debate, chess, and percussion,” said Reynolds. “We are child-centered and working to meet the emotional and social needs of our students.”

Hepburn enjoyed sitting down and visiting with the students. “We are student-focused, and we want every student to be successful. We offer many exciting opportunities for all of our students,” said Hepburn.

Hixon said she believes Atlantic West offers good educational opportunities for students. “I believe Broward Schools offer an excellent education with many opportunities, and it will continue to get better,” said Hixon.

Commissioner Arlene Schwartz attended the first day event. “I am proud to say my son went to Atlantic West and I am glad that all Margate elementary schools are now A schools,” she said.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.