The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) board discussed policies for electric vehicles, summer school and other topics at its Feb. 10 meeting. During public comment, the board also heard from distressed parents and students about racial discrimination and a teacher on leave.
The board discussed a new BHUSD policy drafted by the district under the guidance of the Beverly Hills Police Department that would establish safety guidelines for electric vehicles, including bicycles, scooters, skateboards and “any similar motorized or electric-powered vehicles.”
Under the policy, which would apply to students, staff and community members, such items would be permitted only for transportation to and from school. The school would not be responsible for damage or theft.
During the discussion period, board members expressed apprehension over appearing to promote electric vehicles to students as young as 11.
“My first concern is we’re legitimizing people without driver’s licenses, minors—not all minors but 15 and younger—their use of a motorized vehicle,” said Board Member Judy Manouchehri. “I’m concerned that we are treating the high schoolers and the middle schoolers the same. We have middle schoolers that are 11 years old, and we have high schoolers that are 18.”
Board Member Russell Stuart expressed doubts about avoiding liability.
“I live on Bedford, and I cannot tell you how many kids … have flown through my stop sign at Gregory at Bedford, doing a wheelie, filming themselves,” he said. “You’re going to get someone who comes on [school] property and rips through grass and possibly crashes into something, and God forbid it’s a person, there’s going to be liability. There’s no way around it.”
The discussion ended with the decision to table the issue for further board review.
The board also examined the district’s summer school offerings during a presentation by Dustin Seemann, BHUSD assistant superintendent of education services. Seemann expressed optimism about the planned programming, but board members were less enthusiastic.
Manouchehri drilled down on the necessity of using summer school hours to bring elementary school students underperforming on standardized tests up to speed, emphasizing that many are not meeting the standards.
“We have a mission at BHUSD to be worthy of the dollars that our community has been giving us through taxpayers’ money,” she said. “We are missing the mark, and we need to put money towards getting our students educated,” she said.
In response, Jason Hasty, the district’s assistant superintendent of business services, said the BHUSD is exploring the prospect of working with a vendor to offer more summer programming. Seemann offered to bring an idea of what that might look like to a future board meeting, to which the board agreed.
During the public comment segment of the meeting, eight parents and members of the community spoke about their deep concern for the board’s perceived lack of action surrounding allegations of racism at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS). Black high school students have spoken out publicly (including at prior board meetings) about experiencing racial slurs, bullying and feeling intimidated and unsafe.
“You’re on the school board because you care about children, I would assume,” said a speaker who identified herself only as a community member. “If a community is telling you that their children feel attacked and hurt and daily denigrated and you do nothing to change that, what is your real purpose for being on the school board? I don’t understand why it’s OK.”
Speakers then turned the conversation to the ongoing dispute over Romeo Carey, the district’s media director who was put on leave in December 2024. Multiple speakers accused district employees of intimidating students who have spoken out in Carey’s defense.
At least one female BHHS student referred to an investigation allegedly being conducted at the school.
“You are dragging students into private meetings, twisting stories and making outrageous accusations that have absolutely no basis in reality,” said the student. “Asking female students if Mr. Carey has ever forced us to undress in KBEV? Do you even hear yourselves?”
When asked by the Courier to respond to the student comments about the investigation, Superintnedent Dr. Michael Bregy said, “I listen very closely to the statements made during public comment and I am fully aware of the concerns and questions that have been raised. However, due to the confidential nature of personnel matters, we are unable to provide any details or comment at this time.
I want to emphasize that the safety and well-being of our students are our highest priorities. We remain committed to maintaining a secure and supportive environment where every student can learn, grow, and thrive.”
