Teen Political Forum

High school students are encouraged to participate in the Teen Political Forum - an open mic style forum for students to raise questions and converse with state, county, and local elected officials about issues that are important to them.

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We are deeply saddened by the passing of our Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer. In light of this profound loss and in support of our community, we will be rescheduling the Teen Political Forum, originally planned for April 16, to April 29 at 6:30 PM at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts.

Panel

Mayor Scott J. Brook

Scott J. Brook, Mayor of the City of Coral Springs and a distinguished family law attorney, was sworn in for additional mayoral terms on November 30, 2022, and November 19, 2024. He previously served as a City Commissioner beginning in 2002 and as Mayor from 2006 to 2010. In March 2019, he was elected Mayor again following the sudden passing of our dear friend, Mayor Skip Campbell, in October 2018. Throughout his tenure, Mayor Brook has demonstrated a strong commitment to bridging the gap between residents and local government, promoting transparency, and fostering a unified community. Mayor Brook serves on numerous boards and committees locally and beyond. He is the founder of the Coral Springs Community-Involved Government Committee and serves as Commission Liaison to several groups, including the Community Ambassador Program, Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Board of Directors, and Parent Education Group. He is also co-founder of Premier Networking Alliance and Project Leadership, the Mental Wellness Networking Alliance. Nationally, he serves as Vice Chair of the National League of Cities (NLC) Council on Youth, Education, and Families and is a past president of the Florida League of Mayors.

Shawn Cerra, Coral Springs City Commissioner, Seat 2

Shawn Cerra, a Coral Springs resident since 1993, was re-elected as City Commissioner for Seat 2 in November 2022. He was appointed Vice Mayor by his fellow commissioners on December 7, 2022, serving in that role until December 4, 2024. First elected in June 2019, Commissioner Cerra previously served as Principal of J.P. Taravella High School for 14 years, one of Broward County’s largest schools. He later advanced to Director of Athletics and Student Activities for Broward County Public Schools. A dedicated community leader, Cerra has served on the Coral Springs Education Committee, held leadership roles within the Chamber of Commerce from 2002 to 2016, and spent a decade supporting the city’s Ultimate and Flag Football Leagues as Vice President. He currently serves as Commission Liaison to several committees, including the Financial Advisory Committee, Principal Education Group, Neighborhoods with Integrity Committee, Sports Coalition Group, Parks & Recreation Advisory Group, and Sports Grant Committee. He also serves on the Coral Springs Charter School Advisory Board and as Vice Chair of the Charter School Board of Directors. His priorities include enhancing school safety, advancing infrastructure improvements, and ensuring thoughtful planning to support Coral Springs’ continued growth and economic vitality.

Joshua Simmons, Coral Springs City Commissioner, Seat 4

In November 2018, Joshua Simmons made history as the first African American elected to the Coral Springs Commission since the city’s incorporation in 1963. He served as Vice Mayor in 2020 and 2021 and was sworn in for an additional term as Commissioner for Seat 4 on November 30, 2022. Commissioner Simmons has been a leading voice for inclusion and dialogue in the community. He created the Emmy Award–winning video series Conversations with a Commissioner, which addresses topics such as race, equality, and policing. He has also been recognized with the Florida League of Cities Home Rule Hero Award for his legislative advocacy. He serves on numerous boards and committees at both the local and national levels, including the Broward League of Cities and the National League of Cities Board of Directors, where he participates on the Executive and Finance Committees. Locally, he contributes to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, Teen Political Forum, and Museum of Art Board of Directors. He has also been appointed Chair of the National League of Cities 2026 Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee.

Michael Udine, Broward County Commissioner, District 3

Michael Udine was elected Broward County Commissioner in 2016 and has served as Vice Mayor (2020) and Mayor (2021). Prior to his county role, he served for more than a decade as Mayor and City Commissioner of Parkland, where the city earned recognition as one of the safest and most family-friendly communities in South Florida. Commissioner Udine led the completion of a long-delayed, state-of-the-art 911 Emergency Communications system in Broward County, including the implementation of Text-to-911 capabilities. He has also supported mandated active shooter training for public-facing county employees and enhanced emergency alert systems to improve public safety during crises. An attorney and law firm owner, Udine is a strong advocate for small businesses and economic development. He focuses on attracting technology-driven industries to Broward County to support innovation and high-paying jobs. He supports initiatives such as the Innovation Hub at Nova Southeastern University and has been recognized with the 2019 Distinguished Leader Award from the Florida Atlantic University Research Park. He also serves as an elected director at Legacy Bank of Florida.

Debra Hixon, Broward County School Board Chair, At-Large Seat 9

Debra Hixon began her career in education in 1989 and has received numerous recognitions throughout her tenure. She was named Teacher of the Year at South Broward High School in 2010 and Broward County Environmental Educator of the Year in 2018. She was elected as a Countywide School Board Member in November 2020. Chair Hixon serves in leadership roles across several community and business organizations, including Chair of the BCPS Wellness Committee and Co-Chair of the Special Needs Advisory Council with the Children’s Services Council. She is also a board member of the Performing Arts Center Authority, Museum of Discovery & Science, Climate Change Task Force, Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, Broward Housing Council, Interlocal Planning Oversight Committee, and Broward Education Foundation. She also serves as President of the Chris Hixon Athletic Scholarship, honoring her late husband. Deeply committed to Broward County Public Schools, Hixon focuses on ensuring educational excellence, student preparedness, and a safe, supportive learning environment for all.

Dr.Jermaine Fleming, Broward County Public Schools, Regional Superintendent of Teaching and Learning

As a leader, Jermaine Fleming’s priority is building capacity. He believes that finding and developing the best teachers and administrators are critical components of the academic culture. Fleming also believes that middle school students can benefit from more rigorous courses and high school credit courses, such as law studies, debate, industry certification in Adobe Photoshop, and a variety of enrichment courses, which are part of his school’s offerings.

Joe Scott, Broward County Supervisor of Elections

Joe Scott serves as Broward County’s Supervisor of Elections, overseeing all federal, state, county, and municipal elections. He assumed office on January 5, 2021. Scott began his career as an Army officer after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served in South Korea and later in Iraq as an embedded advisor to the Iraqi Army, earning a Combat Action Badge and the Bronze Star Medal. After his military service, Scott earned an MBA from Villanova University and spent over a decade in the private sector. As Supervisor of Elections, he has focused on expanding early voting access, improving vote-by-mail systems, and modernizing the office’s communications infrastructure. His work has earned national recognition, including the 2023 Democracy Award for Best Practice from the National Association of Elections Officials and the 2024 Public Official of the Year award from MIA Media Group.