Shawn Cerra, a resident of Coral Springs since 1993, was re-elected City Commissioner for Seat 2 in November 2022. On December 7, 2022, he was appointed to serve as Vice Mayor by his fellow commissioners and served until December 4, 2024.
First elected in June 2019, Cerra proudly served as Principal of J.P. Taravella High School, one of Broward County’s largest schools, for 14 years before his promotion to Director of Athletics and Student Activities for the School Board of Broward County.
Always an active community member, Cerra served on the Coral Springs Education Committee and as a Chamber of Commerce leader and a member from 2002-2016. He also led the City’s Ultimate and Flag Football Leagues for ten years, serving as Vice President.
Currently, Cerra serves as a Commission Liaison on the Financial Advisory Committee, Principal Education Group, Neighborhoods with Integrity Committee, Sports Coalition Group, and Sports Grant Committee. He also on the Coral Springs Charter School Advisory Board and as the Vice Chair for the Charter School Board of Directors.
Cerra and his wife, Kerry, have three children who attended Coral Springs public schools. As a father and educator, one of Cerra’s most significant priorities as City Commissioner is school safety. Recognizing it is not an issue the city can address solely, Cerra utilizes his partnerships with the Broward County School Board, law enforcement, community members, and policymakers to improve the safety of our schools and address student mental health.
In addition to improving school safety, Cerra addresses infrastructure upgrades to meet the needs of our city’s growing population. He recognizes the importance of proper city planning to ensure Coral Springs remains an attractive destination for residents, existing businesses, and new business development.
Commissioner Cerra graduated from the University of South Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in social science education. He received his master’s degree in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University.