The Broward County School Board is expected to authorize its superintendent to begin the formal process of renaming Sawgrass Middle School in Coral Springs after the late Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer, according to an agenda item published Sept. 14.
Board to start renaming process
The agenda language notes Metayer’s long involvement with the school and its community and frames a renaming as a way to create a lasting local legacy reflecting the values she championed. If the board follows through, the superintendent would have the green light to initiate the administrative steps required to consider a new name for the school.
"Naming Sawgrass Middle School in her honor would recognize her lasting contributions to the community and create a meaningful legacy that reflects the values she championed throughout her life — education, service, environmental stewardship, and care for others."
Metayer, a prominent Florida Democratic Party leader and environmental scientist, was Coral Springs’ first Black and Haitian American female commissioner. She was found dead in her home in March. Her husband has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence; he has pleaded not guilty. Those facts remain central to the broader community response and discussions about how best to memorialize her service.
Local and federal efforts to honor Metayer
Renaming Sawgrass Middle School would be the most visible local commemoration that has been publicly advanced so far. Over the summer, U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz introduced federal legislation to rename the U.S. Postal Service facility at 3255 NW 94th Avenue in Coral Springs as the "Nancy Metayer Post Office Building." That bill is awaiting a vote in the full U.S. House.
- Local action: Broward County School Board to consider starting the renaming process for Sawgrass Middle School.
- Federal action: House bill introduced to rename a postal facility in Metayer’s honor; pending a full House vote.
- Criminal case: Metayer’s husband charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence; pleaded not guilty.
What the proposal means for Coral Springs
For parents, students and staff at Sawgrass Middle School, a renaming would be both symbolic and practical: it could reshape school identity, change signage and materials, and prompt community events to mark the transition. For many residents, the proposal serves as a civic moment to reflect on Metayer’s public service in Coral Springs and across South Florida, including her work on environmental justice and disaster relief.
City officials and community leaders who have publicly remembered Metayer described large turnouts at memorial events earlier this year. A renaming debate may also prompt public comment periods and community meetings as part of the school district’s administrative process; the agenda item itself emphasizes Metayer’s involvement with the Sawgrass community and her contributions to education and service.
Current status and next steps
At this stage, the board’s expected action would not immediately change the school’s name. Rather, it would authorize the superintendent to begin the formal procedures required under Broward County School District policy. That process typically involves staff studies, public notice and opportunities for community input before a final board decision is reached.
| Item | Status (as of Sept. 14, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Sawgrass Middle School renaming | School Board expected to authorize superintendent to begin process |
| Postal facility renaming bill | Introduced by Rep. Jared Moskowitz; awaiting full House vote |
| Criminal case related to Metayer’s death | Defendant charged with first-degree murder and tampering; pleaded not guilty |
Community members who want to weigh in should monitor announcements from the Broward County School Board and the superintendent’s office for public meetings and comment deadlines. Any final decision to rename a public school will be made by the school board following the district’s established procedures.
The proposal highlights how Coral Springs continues to grapple with grief over a high-profile death while considering ways to honor a leader whose public work included a focus on education, environmental stewardship and service to others.
