The School Board of Broward County, Florida, has selected new leadership for the year ahead, unanimously electing Sarah Leonardi (District 3) as Chair and Jamaican-American Dr. Jeff Holness (District 5) as Vice Chair during its annual Organizational Meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Sarah Leonardi is an educator with nearly a decade of experience teaching English in Broward County’s public high schools. Throughout her career, she has been deeply involved in student life, serving as a sponsor for several extracurricular clubs and mentoring new teachers. Her dedication to the classroom earned her recognition as Teacher of the Year at Coconut Creek High School in 2016.
Her global upbringing has also shaped her approach to public service. Leonardi grew up in the Middle East—spending six years in Cairo, Egypt, and nine years in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As the daughter of a teacher, she said she was raised to believe deeply in education’s ability to change lives. She later moved to the United States to pursue her degree at the University of Miami, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2011. Leonardi was first elected to the School Board in 2022.
Holness, also elected in 2022, brings a deep connection to the Caribbean community as a Jamaican-American leader with a strong track record in education. Born in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, he emigrated to the United States more than 30 years ago and grew up in Fort Lauderdale, graduating from Dillard High School. At a recent press conference on hurricane relief efforts across the region, he spoke openly about his heritage and Broward’s support for Caribbean neighbors.
“I was born in Jamaica—I grew up in St. Elizabeth—so what I’ll say is Broward County Schools have also joined relief efforts to make sure that we’re providing the necessary support to Jamaica, Haiti, parts of the Bahamas, and regions that have been affected,” he said. “We’ve partnered with BrightStar Credit Union, the Broward County Association of Student Councils, the Broward Council of PTAs, the Broward Education Foundation, the Broward Principals and Assistant Principals Association, and the Broward Teachers Union to support Jamaica.”
A career educator, Holness has taught in Broward County Schools for more than 15 years, serving at Walter C. Young Middle School, Apollo Middle School, Lyons Creek Middle School, Dillard Community School, and Parkway Community School. He has also worked in higher education as a clinical intern educator at Florida Atlantic University. Holness holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Florida Atlantic University. He is the father of two sons who both attend Broward public schools.
The remaining School Board members are Lori Alhadeff (District 4), Maura McCarthy Bulman (District 1), Adam Cervera (District 6), Debra Hixon (Countywide At-Large, Seat 9), Nora Rupert (District 7), Rebecca Thompson (District 2), and Dr. Allen Zeman (Countywide At-Large, Seat 8).
