Introduction to DeSantis’ Appointee
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ newest appointee to the Broward County School Board is a longtime resident of Miami-Dade County. Adam Cervera, 41, a lawyer and shareholder with the law firm Becker & Poliakoff in Coral Gables, does have roots in Broward. He grew up in the county and graduated from J.P. Taravella High in Coral Springs in 2001.
Background and Experience
But Cervera, who graduated from Florida International University’s law school, has lived most of his adult life in Miami, registering to vote in Broward County for the first time a month ago. He will now replace Broward School Board member Brenda Fam, who was elected in 2022 to represent District 6, which includes Weston, Cooper City, Davie and parts of Sunrise and Plantation. Fam, who is also a lawyer, announced on April 22 she would be resigning on May 1, citing a toxic atmosphere on the School Board and in the district. DeSantis appointed Cervera on Thursday to finish out Fam’s term, which ends in November 2026.
District 6 and Its Significance
District 6 is one of the few booming areas in a school system where enrollment has plunged about 30,000 in the past decade. It’s home to Cypress Bay High in Weston, which has about 4,600 students and is the largest high school in the state. Some Broward residents say they are puzzled as to why DeSantis chose someone from Miami-Dade to serve as a Broward County School Board member.
Cervera’s Response and Qualifications
The governor’s office didn’t respond to requests for comment. But Cervera told the South Florida Sun Sentinel in a list of responses to written questions that he’s already moved to Broward and his family will be following him soon. He said Fam “personally reached out to me” about replacing her. “She believed my background in child advocacy, my legal experience, and my strong commitment to parental rights and educational excellence would make me a good fit to continue the work she had championed,” he said in a statement.
Cervera’s Professional and Personal Life
Cervera describes himself as a “dedicated advocate for children and education.” During his time at FIU College of Law, he participated in clinical programs supporting special-needs students and juveniles, earning multiple awards for his service, he said. He said he also served on the regional board of Read to a Child, promoting literacy and mentorship in under-resourced schools. Cervera and his wife, lawyer Teressa Cervera, are the parents of three children, a newborn and two children who attend public schools in Miami-Dade County, he told the Sun Sentinel.
Reaction from the Community
Fam could not be reached for comment by the Sun Sentinel. But she vouched for Cervera during a recent interview with the Westside Gazette, a newspaper that focuses on issues affecting the Black community in Broward. “I feel confident. This board was confident (in Cervera). You know why? His firm does legal work for the School Board,” Fam said during a Thursday night interview on the Westside Gazette’s “2 Minute Warning” show on YouTube.
Appointment and Residence Requirements
However, there’s no requirement that gubernatorial appointees to the School Board live in the same district, or even the same county, where they are serving, according to Andrea Messina, CEO of the Florida School Boards Association. “When you look at the statute relating to school boards, it’s in the elections section. It says that to be elected, you must be elected in the district you represent. It doesn’t say that about appointments. It’s silent,” she said. Cervera’s new Tamarac address isn’t in District 6, where he’ll serve. It’s in District 4, which is represented by School Board member Lori Alhadeff.
Criticism and Controversy
Cervera’s appointment is facing criticism from some who live in District 6. “I believe that we deserve a representative who is rooted in this community, someone who lives here, has children in our schools and has spent a career working alongside our families, teachers and students,” said Roberto Fernandez III, a Sunrise father and educator who has filed to run for the School Board seat in 2026. Another District 6 resident, Carolyn Krohn, a district volunteer from Davie, said, “We need a longtime Broward resident who understands the needs of our community, which he does not.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Adam Cervera’s appointment to the Broward County School Board has raised questions and concerns among some members of the community. While Cervera has roots in Broward and a background in child advocacy and education, his recent residency in Miami-Dade County and lack of experience in the district have led to criticism. As Cervera begins his term, he will need to work to establish trust and demonstrate his commitment to the students, families, and educators in District 6.
FAQs
Q: Who is Adam Cervera?
A: Adam Cervera is a 41-year-old lawyer and shareholder with the law firm Becker & Poliakoff in Coral Gables, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Broward County School Board.
Q: What district will Cervera represent?
A: Cervera will represent District 6, which includes Weston, Cooper City, Davie, and parts of Sunrise and Plantation.
Q: Where did Cervera grow up and attend high school?
A: Cervera grew up in Broward County and graduated from J.P. Taravella High in Coral Springs in 2001.
Q: What are Cervera’s qualifications and experience?
A: Cervera has a background in child advocacy and education, and has participated in clinical programs supporting special-needs students and juveniles.
Q: How has the community reacted to Cervera’s appointment?
A: Some members of the community have expressed criticism and concern about Cervera’s appointment, citing his recent residency in Miami-Dade County and lack of experience in the district.
