Ryan Nicol
Just days after the sole conservative member on the Broward County School Board resigned, Gov. Ron DeSantis is stepping in to nominate a replacement.
DeSantis is tapping Becker & Poliakoff Shareholder Adam Cervera to take over for Brenda Fam in District 6. Fam resigned effective May 1, citing “personal attacks” and “unprofessional behavior” by other members of the Board.
Now, Cervera will take her place. Cervera is also a member of the Florida Bar’s Eleventh Circuit Grievance Committee, where he previously served as Chair. He was a regional board member for Read to a Child, per a release from the Governor’s Office announcing the appointment.
Cervera has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Central Florida. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Florida International University College of Law. The FIU College of Law has also granted Cervera its Excellence in Service Award.
DeSantis in recent years has named multiple conservative members to the School Board in Broward County, one of the state’s bluest regions. Previous appointees Torey Alston and Daniel Foganholi both eventually lost their seats.
But Fam won the race for District 6 in 2022 as Republicans swept the state with a historically dominant performance.
Nevertheless, Fam decided to step aside before completing her term, explaining the move in a letter to Broward Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn.
“I cannot, with good conscience, serve a school district that lacks full transparency, that does not live up to the highest moral and educational standards for students, parents and educators, nor live up to their fiscal responsibilities,” she wrote.
“It is time for me to move forward to where my contribution is welcomed, and my background and knowledge can bring about an effective and positive change.”
The move follows previous clashes between Fam and other School Board members.
Cervera’s appointment takes effect May 1, the same date as Fam’s effective resignation date.
