Biography
Before being elected to the School Board, Maura was a committed activist in our local schools, volunteering her time to improve our public education. She served on the Hollywood Central Elementary PTA and as the School Advisory Forum (SAF) Chair for Hollywood Central Elementary and Attucks Middle School. She is an experienced local attorney with years of legal experience, as well as a former Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica and volunteer Guardian Ad Litem.
Occupation
Attorney
Civic Experience
School Board Member, District 1 - 2014-Present
Endorsements
AFL-CIO, Dolphin Democrats, Florida Rising, Commissioner Beam Furr, Commissioner Idelma Quintana, Ruth's List Florida
Campaign Phone
9545587203
- Supporting Public School Growth: I am the proud mother of four children attending our Broward County public schools, and I have focused as a School Board member on preventing school closures in District 1 and increasing enrollment by highlight our excellent quality academics and programming in our community schools.
- Transparency: A lack of trust between residents and the headlines they see too frequently when it comes to School Board must be fixed by being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and increasing transparency.
- Facilities: Upgrading our schools with necessary infrastructure improvements is a longstanding need and one of my chief goals as a School Board member.
Ultimately, my long-term goal would be to increase public school enrollment and reverse a long trend. We have an A rated school district with exceptional academic and extracurricular programming. I want our local communities to know about these options, and continue to see our school grow and thrive. When public schools succeed, we all succeed.
The first thing I always do is continue to build my network of community connections – going to events, elevating voices, and understanding our needs. With this information, I plan to lead effective use of our taxpayer dollars for targeted programming and infrastructure in our schools.
I support this referendum to continue building the infrastructure of both human and physical capital needed to make Broward County the best public school system anywhere. Increasing transparency and ensuring responsible stewardship of our taxpayer dollars is one of my primary goals as a School Board member. We must make sure that we are earning the public trust.
Broward County is higher than most of the rest of Florida but still too low compared to other major urban areas nationally. - I will continue working with our union to increase teacher and support staff wages. I also plan on creating a clear and cohesive plan to address the looming challenges of AI. We also must ensure that all workers are treated with fairness and dignity in the face of state level attacks.
Biography
Carmen Jackie Gimenez is a Venezuelan-American community leader, human rights advocate, educator, author, and public policy professional with decades of experience in public service, international affairs, immigration, civic engagement, and nonprofit leadership. Throughout her career, she has worked to advance educational opportunities, strengthen communities, promote transparency, and defend human rights. Her experience includes collaborating with government agencies, international organizatio
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) Master of Laws (LL.M.) Human Rights Laws, International Trade and Commer Ph.D. in Management Sciences, Doctorate in Human Development (Doctor Honoris Causa) Certifications & Specialized Training Election Observation Open Government and Transparency Human Rights Public Leadership Public Administration International Relations Community Development Anti-Corruption Civic Engagement Nonprofit Leadership
Occupation
Educator, Community Leader, Human Rights Advocate, and Nonprofit Executive
Civic Experience
President USA Refugees & Immigrants Corp. President, Florida Chamber of Industries & Technologies President, Hallandale Beach Chamber of Industries & Technologies Coordinator, USA Anti-Corruption Hub Former Commissioner, Miami-Dade County Human Rights Commission Former Member, UN Women Committee – Miami Registered Florida Lobbyist Community Advocate for Education, Human Rights, and Government Transparency International Speaker on Public Policy, Human Rig
Endorsements
The following endorsements have been publicly announced: MercyPerez Journalkist, Miamidadetoday lournal, FortLauderdale Young Americans, CFC, To be announced. Community support continues to grow as parents, educators, students, community leaders, and residents across Broward County join the campaign's commitment to: Listening to Families Safe Schools Bright Futures Transparency and Accountability Educational Excellence Student Success
Campaign Phone
7863174255
Listening Broward is more than a campaign slogan—it is my commitment to every family.
My top three priorities are:
Listening Broward – Families Heard. I will be a full-time, visible, and accountable School Board Member.
Safe Schools. I will implement the Children Safety Insurance – free for all families – and strengthen coordination with law enforcement.
Bright Futures. Expand STEM, AI, cybersecurity, career education, and business partnerships.
I will launch the Broward Family Support Alliance with businesses, NGOs, and churches. I will go to Tallahassee or wherever required to advocate for our families.
I will consult parents, teachers, students, employees, municipalities, law enforcement, business leaders, and faith-based organizations
Families leave when they lose confidence.
The solution is not simply advertising – it is earning back trust by listening. Following national best practices from districts that reversed enrollment decline, we must improve safety, academic offerings, and family support.
I will implement the Children Safety Insurance – free for all families – and create the Broward Family Support Alliance with businesses, NGOs, and churches for tutoring, mental health, and resources. I will go to Tallahassee or wherever required to bring more support. Every school must become a destination school where families feel confident and welcomed.
Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. That means removing barriers – not lowering expectations – and listening to families.
I will expand tutoring, mentoring, career pathways, technology, and mental health services for students with disabilities, English learners, gifted students, and those in economic hardship.
The Children Safety Insurance will be free for all families. The Broward Family Support Alliance with businesses, NGOs, and churches will provide wraparound support. I will go to Tallahassee or wherever required to secure resources. Our diversity is Broward’s strength – every student must reach their full potential.
I oppose the referendum renewing a tax increase.
Broward families already face high taxes. Before asking for more, the Board must demonstrate responsible financial management, cut unnecessary administrative costs, and show measurable results.
I will fund priorities through efficiency and partnerships, including the Children Safety Insurance (free for families) and the Broward Family Support Alliance. I will go to Tallahassee or wherever required to advocate for better support without raising taxes. Every dollar must directly benefit students and classrooms.
Teachers are our greatest educational investment. Broward pays better than much of Florida but still lags nationally.
I will advocate for competitive salaries, reduce bureaucracy, and prioritize classroom resources. With members not committed we cannot improve.
I will implement the Children Safety Insurance (free for families) and the Broward Family Support Alliance to ease teacher workload with community resources. I will go to Tallahassee or wherever required to fight for fair pay and respect. When we invest in teachers, we invest in our students’ future.
