Tag Archives: broward school board

Group Linked To School Construction Company Made Large Contribution To PAC Operated By Broward School Board Member

1 Reply

A group linked to a Texas-based school construction company made a large contribution to a political committee operated by Broward School Board Member Allen Zeman, campaign records show. According to State of Florida records, Allen Zeman is the chairman of the Keep Students First Florida political committee. On December 6, 2024, Zeman’s committee received a $1,000 contribution from Students For The Future LLC.

According to Zeman’s records, Students For The Future LLC is a non-profit organization based in Frisco, Texas.

State of Texas business records show Students For The Future LLC is headquartered at a private residence in Frisco, Texas.

However, Zeman’s Keep Students First Florida lists the group’s address as 6320 Research Road in Frisco, Texas.

6320 Research Road is the headquarters of Core Construction. According to its website, Core Construction, “provides exceptional building services in 13 markets, including the K-12, Higher Education, Civic, Public Safety, and Senior Living sectors.”

One of these markets is Broward County.

On its website, CORE highlights projects it worked on for the Broward School District.

These projects include Flanagan High and Walter Young Elementary, both in Pembroke Pines.

Late last year, CORE bid on work at Rickards Elementary.

This would not be the first time Allen Zeman’s political committee accepted contributions from construction companies working for the Broward School District.

Last year, REDBROWARD exposed how The Corradino Group made $10,000 in contributions to the newly-formed Keep Students First Florida political committee.

Days later, REDBROWARD revealed a company owned by Allen Zeman’s brother landed a contract with Broward County Schools. According to social media posts, the same company works with The Corradino Group, the developer who contributed $10,000 to Allen Zeman’s political committee. The posts were made on the LinkedIn website.

Then, REDBROWARD reported Zeman’s PAC received another $5,000 from The Corradino Group in May 2024.

On May 31, 2024, campaign records show the Keep Students First Florida PAC made a $500 contribution to Rebecca Thompson, a candidate for the Broward School Board District 2 seat. The contribution was made one week after Keep Students First Florida picked up $5,000 from The Corradino Group. Until very recently, Thompson was an aide for Allen Zeman.

The $500 contribution may seem small, but The Corradino Group made up for that in previous contributions to Thompson.

On November 27, 2023, the Thompson campaign reported a $1,000 contribution from The Corradino Group. On that same day, Thompson reported a $1,000 contribution from Corradino LLC.

Those contributions came three weeks after Zeman’s PAC received $10,000 from The Corradino Group.

With the help from Zeman, his committee and The Corradino Group, Thompson won her election to the Broward School Board.

How do these developers and construction companies know about Allen Zeman’s political committee?

Is Allen Zeman soliciting contributions for Keep Students First Florida?

Why does his PAC continue to raise funds if he is not on any ballot until 2026?

We asked Allen Zeman these questions.

Once again, Zeman did not respond to our request for comment.

Allen Zeman Maneuvering To Be New Broward School Board Chair, Brenda Fam May Be The Deciding Vote

4 Replies
Top row from left, Allen Zeman and Jeff Holness. Bottom row from left, Maura Bulman and Rebecca Thompson

Broward School Board Member Allen Zeman’s maneuvering to be board chairman will throw two new board members into proverbial the fire, just hours after they officially take office Tuesday, multiple sources tell REDBROWARD. According to tradition, current Board Vice Chair Debbi Hixon would become the new chair during an organizational meeting Tuesday afternoon. But Zeman is bucking tradition by actively campaigning for the chairmanship.

According to multiple Board sources, (REDBROWARD is granting their requests for anonymity so they may freely discuss the matter) Zeman expects the support of fellow Board member Jeff Holness as well as the support of the two board members—Rebecca Thompson and Maura Bulman.

Until last summer, Rebecca Thompson was Zeman’s aide.

Including his own vote, Zeman would have four of the nine votes. He needs five votes to become chairman.

Sources say Hixon has the support of Board Members Lori Alhadeff, Sarah Leonardi and Nora Rupert.

If Hixon votes for herself, the race for chair is tied four-four.

That means the deciding vote comes down to Republican Brenda Fam.

Some insiders are appalled that Zeman would drag new board members into a public feud on their first day in office. Most insiders believe Debbi Hixon is well-liked and handles board meetings without problems.

These same insiders believe Zeman is seeking the title and a spotlight that comes with the position. Multiple sources have repeatedly told REDBROWARD that Zeman seeks higher office-even gubernatorial aspirations.

Is Zeman willing to divide the new board over his political aspirations?

Can the Board recover from such an ugly fight on day one?

Who will Brenda Fam support?

REDBROWARD will ask Zeman for answers but he stopped responding to us years ago.