Biz Steps Up To Help Student With Perfect Attendance Record

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COOPER CITY (CBSMiami) - The Broward high school student with a perfect attendance record who was denied a special award by the county because part of his education was at a private school has gotten some good news.

Adam Werbin, 18, of Cooper City has not been absent from school since he first attended kindergarten at the age of 4.

Every year, students who have not missed a single day of school, like Adam, are recognized by the county and receive the Best in Class Award.

This award comes with a $1,000 scholarship from the Broward Education Foundation, a new laptop, an iPad and a variety of gifts provided by several community and business partners.

Adam, however, was not eligible for the Best In Class Award by Broward County Schools because of the eight years he spent going to an accredited private school.

The Broward District Attendance Committee developed a specific criteria for the Best in Class Award, but Adam doesn't fit that criteria. The rules state a student must attend a Broward public school consecutively.

Adam's parents tried speaking to the attendance committee, wrote letters to members of the School Board and reached out to the private school that he attended, David Posnak Jewish Day School, but to no avail.

Instead, he was one of 22 high school students who received a medallion and a gift bag at a Thursday night ceremony for having perfect attendance in high school.

"This is so unfair," said Adam. "I feel like I have been robbed of what I worked so hard for. I'm proud of my accomplishment but I am also disgusted with Broward County Schools."

After reading about Adam's plight in CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald, Jarett Levan with BBX Capital in Fort Lauderdale called the Broward Education Foundation and inquired about how his company could go about setting up a scholarship for students like Adam.

Levan said he will award Adam with a $2000 scholarship at the Broward Education Foundation Gala, which happens to be this Saturday at Pier 66. That also happens to be Adam's prom night. He plans to leave prom in the middle to get his award and then go back.

Adam plans to attend the University of Central Florida after he graduates from Cooper City High School.