Two Black teachers have filed an Administrative Claim with the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD). The claimants are Bella Ivory and an unnamed male, both teachers at Beverly Hills High School. The claim filed by attorney Bradley C. Gage alleges that the teachers have “been subjected to discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the form of racial comments, including being called the N-word.”
Gage announced the action at a press conference this week outside BHHS.
Ivory has previously gone on the record with allegations of racism. As set forth in the Courier’s Nov. 15 issue, she and several members of the Black Student Union spoke out at the Nov. 12 BHUSD Board meeting. They recounted experiencing racially based harassment by students involved in a boisterous pro-Trump rally on campus.
As described in the administrative claim, “In early November, 2024 on the day of the election students marched through the halls carrying Trump flags. They congregated in front of the a Black Student Union meeting being lead by Ms. Ivory. The mob of kids were outside her door. Some of the kids had on MAGA hats. one of the kids tried to open the door, causing fear and apprehension. Because of the assault and mob, Black students said they felt like it was the KKK trying to break into their meeting. … Bella was also called a ‘Nig**r bitch’ by a female student in her Tik Tok post after the mob came to Bella’s classroom and Black students have consistently been called the N-word face to face.”
The claim adds, “While there have been various prior complaints about discrimination, the Administration has done nothing to stop these blatant acts of racism.”
In fact, the administrative claim singles out one member of the faculty, stating, “Athletic Director Tim Ellis often used the N-word at the school and in front of teachers/coaches.”
The claim adds,”Harassment continues through the present. On or about April 22, 2024 Students from BHHS posted a video called ‘Normans PSA’ showing how nice beautiful and clean the cafeteria looked in the morning. The two white students then say ‘Let’s fast forward to lunch.’ The two white girls zoom in on a table where Black students are enjoying their lunch. The white girls say, ‘This is disgusting, I am repulsed’ … Obviously, the girls zooming in on Black students eating making the place ‘disgusting’ perpetrates racial stereotypes and prejudices harking back to Apartheid and ‘separate but equal’ which was anything but equal.”
At the press conference, Gage said that he has been contacted by parents in the school system with additional stories asking to be represented.
He also noted at the press conference that Ivory is currently on leave.
“On Dec. 9 we filed a complaint as a precursor to a lawsuit with the school. And then on Dec. 10 we received a notification that the school is now going to investigate Bella for alleged wrongdoing. We’re not stupid. When the investigation comes one day after the complaint, that’s pretty obvious retaliation,” Gage said.
In response to these two new administrative claims, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy released a statement indicating, “We do not have evidence that suggests that there was racism at the recent spirited demonstrations however BHUSD has implemented proactive measures to ensure that any concerns related to racism and antisemitism—perceived or real—are addressed promptly and effectively.”
The statement added, “The district remains focused on ensuring that our schools remain spaces of learning, growth, and mutual respect. Allegations stemming from external events, such as political demonstrations, are taken seriously and assessed within the context of our commitment to student safety and community harmony.”
