The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) announced on April 10 the appointment of Dr. Alex Cherniss as the district’s new superintendent. Cherniss replaces Dr. Michael Bregy, who resigned in February.
According to a statement from the district, Cherniss worked in BHUSD previously as a middle school math teacher, K-8 principal, director of human resources and assistant superintendent of business services.
Outside of Beverly Hills, Cherniss has served as superintendent in the San Marino Unified School District, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.
In the same statement, BHUSD Board Vice President Judith Manouchehri expressed her enthusiasm over Cherniss’ professional background.
“Dr. Cherniss is a proven, visionary leader whose deep connection to BHUSD and track record of success in high-performing districts make him the ideal choice to lead our schools into the future,” she said. “Our community values academic excellence, transparency, and strong communication—and Dr. Cherniss brings the leadership and experience to deliver on those priorities.”
The selection process for a new superintendent began immediately after Bregy’s departure. As part of the procedure, a message was sent to community members asking for their input on priorities for the position.
In a later message sent to all parents and staff on April 10 to announce Cherniss’s appointment, members of the board expressed their gratitude to those who responded to the survey.
“We thank everyone who responded to our recent community survey,” they wrote. “Your voices played a vital role in shaping this decision. The three most commonly identified qualities the community prioritized in a new superintendent were a strong focus on academic achievement, transparency, and effective communication. Dr. Cherniss’ extensive experience as a superintendent across several high-performing school districts uniquely qualifies him to lead in these areas and to meet the expectations of our community.”
Some members of the community had previously voiced concern over the circumstances surrounding Bregy’s resignation.
His departure was announced on Feb. 21 in an email to the community. At a BHUSD Board meeting on Feb. 25, several parents spoke about their frustration with how his exit played out.
Romi Azevedo, a local parent, said Bregy was “depriv[ed] of the opportunity to personally express his departure on his own terms.”
“The decision lacked transparency and professionalism, and it has left many in our community questioning the motives and leadership of this board,” she said.
In response to the April 10 announcement, Jackie Kruger, a local parent who was involved in a recent effort to recall two school board members, said that some members of the community felt there could have been more transparency in the hiring decision.
“We had asked to have more parental involvement and community involvement … and I think that since there is lack of trust in the school board, it doesn’t help,” said Kruger.
Speaking for herself, Kruger noted that she “come[s] to this with an open mind” and the understanding that a decision had to be made quickly.
“There is an urgency in hiring a superintendent, and I understand that,” she said.
Cherniss’ contract will be formally presented at the Board of Education meeting on April 15. If approved, he will step into the role by June 1.
