There is an urgent situation that directly impacts the students of Broward County and their ability to participate in Winter Guard International (WGI) events this season.

At this time, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) and the WGI organization have not been able to reach an agreement regarding the required master agreement that all participating school districts must sign. Because of this unresolved legal issue, all Broward County schools are currently prohibited from competing in WGI events.

This means that Broward County students will be unable to:
    •    Participate in the upcoming 2026 Regionals
    •    Attend or compete in the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio — an opportunity our students have worked years to earn.

These events are not extracurricular luxuries; they are nationally recognized educational and performance opportunities that foster discipline, teamwork, leadership, and artistic excellence. Students have invested countless hours rehearsing, fundraising, and preparing for these competitions, only to now face exclusion due to a district-level legal impasse that is beyond their control.

In addition to signing this petition to show your support in reaching a resolution, we strongly urge you to contact the Broward County School Board members, the Area Superintendent, and the Superintendent to express your concern and request immediate action. It is critical that BCPS leadership prioritize a solution that allows students to participate fully in these events.

Your voice matters. When we speak up collectively, decision-makers listen.

Please respectfully but firmly ask district leadership to:
    •    Resolve the contractual issues with WGI as quickly as possible, and
    •    Ensure that Broward County students are not unfairly denied access to nationally recognized educational competitions.

Broward County students deserve the opportunity to showcase their hard work, represent Broward County, and compete alongside their peers from across the country.

Thank you for your time, advocacy, and continued support of our students and programs.

Board Members & Contact Information:
Board Chair - District 3
Sarah Leonardi -754.321.2003 -  Sarah.Leonardi@browardschools.com

Board Vice Chair - District 5
Dr. Jeff Holness - 754.321.2005 - jeffholness@browardschools.com

Countywide At-large- 
Debra Hixon -754.321.2009- debra.hixon@browardschools.com

Countywide At-large- 
Allen Zeman - 754.321.2008 - Allen.Zeman@browardschools.com

District 1
Maura McCarthy Bulman - 754.321.2001 - maura.bulman@browardschools.com

District 2
Rebecca Thompson - 754.321.2002 - rebecca.thompson@browardschools.com

District 4
Lori Alhadeff -754.321.2004 - lorialhadeff@browardschools.com

District 6
Adam Cervera -754.321.2006 -  adam.cervera@browardschools.com

District 7
Nora Rupert -754.321.2007 - Nora.Rupert@browardschools.com

North Area Regional Superintendent
Dr. Jermaine Fleming - 754.321.3600 - Jermaine.Fleming@browardschools.com

South Area Regional Superintendent
Alan Strauss - 754.321.3200 - Alan.Strauss@browardschools.com

Superintendent of Schools
Howard Hepburn - 754.321.2600 - Howard.Hepburn@browardschools.com