Beverly Hills resident Judy Manouchehri announced her candidacy for the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education in the upcoming November 2022 election, vying for one of two open seats. A parent of three students in the district, Manouchehri graduated from Horace Mann Elementary School, where she was Student Council President, and then Beverly Hills High School (BHHS), where she served as Associated Student Body President. While candidates cannot officially file with the Los Angeles County Registrar’s Office until July 18, Manouchehri is the second to declare her candidacy thus far. Last week, sitting Board Member Rachelle Marcus announced she will run for her second term. The terms of Marcus and Gabriel Halimi, who were appointed last year after the resignation of Tristen Walker-Shuman, both expire this December.
“The quality that I think I can bring to the board is a bridge builder, being a conduit to the families,” Manouchehri told the Courier.
“And continuing a lot of the progress that’s been made in the last 30, 60 and 90 days to increase transparency and accountability with the bond monies and the facilities. Based on my experience as a construction real estate attorney, these areas are my expertise, and it would be my pleasure for my own community to benefit from my personal and professional experiences.”
Manouchehri has practiced construction and real estate law since 2005. At the district, Manouchehri volunteers on the Beverly Vista Middle School PTA Executive Board as Parliamentarian and as an elected member of the Hawthorne School Site Council, a state-mandated committee that meets to discuss the school plan, goals, and designated budget.
While this is her first time running for an elected seat on the school board, she’s not an unfamiliar face. In November of 2021, Manouchehri was one of seven candidates interviewed by the board to fill the vacancy left by Walker-Shuman. Ultimately, Halimi was appointed as interim board member.
“I am a hard worker,” Manouchehri stated in a July 11 release. “I believe the Board needs to gain the trust of the community again. We are at a juncture where we need to operate with complete transparency and consistent communication.”
Priorities outlined in her campaign include improving rigorous academics, ensuring safe, sound, and modern facilities, and the safety and security of the BHUSD community.
“I think that the district should be the jewel on the city’s crown, and it would be an honor for me to have a part in pursuing that,” Manouchehri told the Courier.
Manouchehri will hold her campaign kickoff event on Aug. 28 from 12 to 2 p.m., with details forthcoming.
