Naomi Yasui and Janice Moon, both juniors at BHHS, spent 12 weeks taking part in the work of facilitating community programs, improving public facilities and beautifying the city. Yasui worked with the Arts and Culture Commission, while Moon worked with the Recreation and Parks Commission.

“Our Community Services Department provides exceptional cultural, educational, recreational and social services that enhance and maintain a high quality of life for everyone. For their part, Janice and Naomi each spent 12 weeks supporting their commission’s work plan and performing the duties of recording secretary,” Mayor Craig Corman said during the recognition. “So, on behalf of a grateful City Council, I want to thank you and officially recognize you, Janice and Naomi, for all your hard work and service to the city of Beverly Hills.”

The program was open to students participating in the BHHS Career Academy and College and Career Center. Yasui said she was drawn to working with the Arts and Culture Commission through her love of playing piano and music. While working with the commission, she took part in discussions of programming for the Beverly Hills Art Walk, Festival Beverly Hills and the city’s celebrations for the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Yasui said she learned firsthand all the preparation that goes into a commission meeting.

“We had to work with a lot of agenda preparation,” she said. “I [prepared] the room, I learned what a dais is, a motion, a second, all those words, where to put the gavel, how to line up everything, where to set up the commissioner nameplates. You want to make sure you never get those wrong.”

Yasui said she gained a deeper appreciation for the level of detail that goes into staff reports and commissioner decisions when it comes to public art in Beverly Hills. She added that she had a better understanding of all the work that went into the art she’s seen her entire life, including “The Unconscious” sculpture by Franz West at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Beverly Drive.

“It’s a meeting from about 9 a.m. to 12. It’s quite long,” she said. “You sit there for a long time. It’s hard work to be able to make all these decisions about such valuable art pieces that the city has. I’ve lived in this city all my life. I walk past many of the statues and the sculptures, especially the big orange one by the bank by Beverly Drive. I have very specific memories of it and it’s this commission that really put that through.”

Yasui expressed gratitude for the support of each commissioner and her supervisor, Lori Tanner. She added that it was inspiring when Commissioner Karla Gordy Bristol came to BHHS during Career Day to talk about her entertainment company, a field Yasui said she is interested in pursuing.

Yasui and Moon are the two leaders of the BHHS Paper Arts Club, a student organization focused on origami. The pair was able to put their newfound skills into practice by drafting a proposal to both commissions for the club to appear at the Beverly Hills Art Show. The proposal was approved, and the club will host the first booth for a high school club at the show on May 16 and 17.

“This recognition reflects what makes Beverly Hills exceptional,” said Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education President Judy Manouchehri. “When our city and school district come together, we create opportunities beyond the classroom. Seeing our students recognized on a City Council stage is incredibly meaningful and highlights both our strong partnership and their limitless potential.” 

The post BHHS Students Recognized for Inaugural City Government Internship appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The discussions follow community outrage from a guest speaker appearance by influencer Ben Azoulay at the Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) Jewish club on Feb. 17. In 2008, Azoulay, then 18, faced allegations of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

According to a civil lawsuit filed by the alleged victim in 2011 and public records reviewed by the Courier, Azoulay “admitted his guilt in open court and was convicted on the charge of violating Penal Code Section 288a(b)(1), oral copulation with a minor.” 

Azoulay has been highly controversial due to his posts that degrade women, encourage young people to do poorly in school and, in at least one post, appear to make light of the allegations leveled against him.

According to a district spokesperson, the visit was coordinated by a student-run club and approved at the BHHS site level, a protocol in accordance with the California Education Code. Superintendent Alex Cherniss later decried Azoulay’s talk, calling his views “abhorrent,” and said he would not have been allowed to appear if the district or principal knew of the talk ahead of time.

Board Member Amanda Stern apologized to the community for Azoulay’s appearance on April 14.

“I personally offer apologies to anyone in the community who was triggered by the visit from Ben Azoulay,” she said. “To students, parents and staff who have been victims of assault, I understand how upsetting this was … We cannot underestimate how damaging it is when someone comes to our campus and says, ‘I can’t lie. I was an F student.’ And then you have a student who happened to film it with everyone clapping.”

Board President Judy Manouchehri also apologized for Azoulay’s appearance.

“I really do want to acknowledge that we had a speaker that came through one of our student clubs not too long ago, and it was triggering and disappointing for a lot of our community members and I want to acknowledge that,” she said.

Assistant Superintendent Dustin Seemann proposed changes to district Policy 6145.8, the district’s visitor and assembly policy, that would require a vetting process and a final approval for each guest by the respective school’s principal, and prohibit guests from distributing any food that does not comply with board policy.

“The Superintendent or designee shall develop a comprehensive vetting process for all non-staff speakers/presenters, which must include a background check for criminal convictions, restraining orders, and any public record of conduct inconsistent with district values or missions. It is scheduled at minimum 15 school days in advance to allow for adjustment of academic schedule and provide families with information on assembly,” the proposed amendment read.

Seemann clarified that club events fall under the definition of an assembly. 

“What we’re trying to say as a group is, at minimum, we are getting names submitted to us 15 days in advance. Within that, we are ensuring that all of this has been followed through. Someone isn’t just invited off the street. They have gone through Raptor [Technologies school safety software],” he added.

Manouchehri said it was important to provide school principals with an objective standard that aligns with federal standards, which regulate limitations that school boards can impose on student organizations.

“I looked at some of the policy and I’m worried that the subjectiveness could get us into trouble with students’ rights,” she said. “This would inhibit the clubs. Dr. Seemann is categorizing a club as a special event. I just want to put this out here for everybody, this is not my opinion, but it appears to be federal law. Let’s look into it as a group so we can make sure we’re not overreaching.”

Board Member Rachelle Marcus argued that guest speakers should be scheduled outside of normal school hours to minimize instructional disruption, while Stern added it is important to enforce a policy that students don’t record guest speakers, as fallout from Azoulay’s appearance affected the district’s reputation.

Stern also claimed that district administrators should be able to make judgment calls about whether speakers are fit to speak to students.

“It took 20 seconds if you Google the person’s name to see absolutely abhorrent media,” Stern said. “This particular guy was legally okay to be on the campus, but that doesn’t matter because he wasn’t a good fit.”

Board Member Russell Stuart challenged the phrase “public record” in the proposed amendment, arguing that a guest’s social media posts should not be considered when deciding if they are fit to appear on campus and criticized Stern’s proposed policy changes.

“Dr. Stern, according to you, I’m not a good fit either, which you made a public statement that I should never have been allowed on campus, I should never have been allowed to speak to kids and that I was a dangerous person,” he said. “According to [the amended policy], I would be blocked from coming on campus. We cannot include opinion.”

Stern previously criticized Stuart for speaking about mental health at a BHHS boys’ mental health club, claiming he was not qualified, and also criticized his social media posts, including one that read, “Cheers to my haters! Be patient. So much more is coming.”

The last amendment would mandate all cellphones and recording devices to be powered off during assemblies and students and guests would be prohibited from recording or taking photographs.

The board will review an official proposal of an amended guest and assembly policy at a later date.  

The post Heated Guest Policy Discussion at BHUSD Board Meeting appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

As reported in the Jan. 16 edition of the Courier, the lawsuit alleges that the board violated its own bylaws by installing Sabag as vice president at its Dec. 16 organizational meeting, despite her having received fewer votes than Board Member Amanda Stern in the most recent election. The board’s bylaws stated that when multiple board members have the same term of service, “they shall serve as vice president in descending order of the number of votes received in their most recent election.”

The board voted to rewrite Bylaw 9100 before repeating the election of president and vice president on Jan. 27 to give the board complete control over electing its officers without regard to the number of votes in the most recent election. 

In his lawsuit, Lifschitz alleges causes of action for traditional mandamus, declaratory relief, and injunctive relief. He claims in pertinent part that the board has a “ministerial obligation under former BHUSD Board Bylaw 9100 to elect … Amanda Stern as the board’s vice president.” 

The defendants filed a demurrer to the complaint on Feb. 26, challenging its legal sufficiency on grounds that Lifschitz lacked standing and that the action was moot, among others. Chalfant overruled the demurrer as to all but the claim for declaratory relief, which he found redundant. The court ordered defendants to file an answer to the complaint within 20 days. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for June.

Lifschitz told the Courier he plans to proceed with a vigorous course of discovery. 

“I am grateful for the court’s thoughtful opinion repudiating the district’s positions and clearing the way for me to depose the board trustees in connection with this matter,” Lifschitz told the Courier. “I look forward to the seven hours I will have with each of them under oath. In the meantime, they can reconsider whether their Jan. 27 press release calling my case frivolous should be updated for accuracy.”

A spokesperson for BHUSD declined to comment. 

The post Ruling Allows Lawsuit Against BHUSD to Proceed appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The honorees are Afsaneh Tabibian (Instructional Assistant, BHHS); Felipe Gomez (Maintenance and Operations); Karen Garland (Program Specialist, HM/BVMS); Candace Hemphill (3rd Grade, ER); Ellen Kwon (4th Grade, HM);Kunhee (David) Lee (History & AVID, BHHS); Kari Marlowe (Program Specialist, ER/BHHS);Celeste McDonald (English, BHHS);

Fred Pinto (Visual and Performing Arts, BVMS); Laura Rogers (Special Education, BVMS) and Vivian Minor (Administrative Assistant, BVMS).

“The Beverly Hills Education Foundation is absolutely thrilled to be hosting BHEF HONORS this year, which combines the opportunity to celebrate the generosity of our BHEF donors and the creativity of our Innovative Teacher Grant award winners, along with publicly honoring the remarkable educators, administrators and staff members who have earned Apple Awards in 2026. After a decade-long hiatus, we are excited to be bringing this beloved tradition back to our community. This event is a testament to the spirit of excellence that defines our district, and we’re proud to shine a spotlight on the people who make that excellence possible,” said Tina Wiener, BHEF President.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available through BHEF.org   

The post BHUSD Announces 2026 Apple Award Honorees as BHEF Brings Back Apple Awards Celebration appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The new guidelines provide daily and weekly time limits for students based on grade level, reduce the use of digital devices for students in early education through second grade, encourage the use of pen and paper assignments and provide recommendations for students to safely utilize digital tools.

The district provides Chromebooks and iPads for students to access online programs, individualized interventions, word processing tools and assessments.

Stern and Marcus both dissented because they needed more time to review and amend the policy. Stern said she was concerned by recent parent remarks that suggested the board often rushed through discussion, while Marcus said that she could not support the proposal without condensing the language to add clarity.

BHUSD School Board President Judy Manouchehri, who proposed the guidelines, said she brought the proposal forward after hearing parental feedback about their children’s frequent use of technology and after learning that a fourth-grade student had to take a laptop home every day to complete homework.

“In particular, placing iPads in the hands of our youngest learners, our 4, 5, and 6-year-olds, was not the right approach. It has raised valid concerns among families and in some cases, has even been a deterrent for parents considering enrollment in our TK program,” she said. “At the same time, I think it is important to clarify what this resolution does not do. … This resolution does not mean that we are stepping back from technology, modernization, nor progress.”

The proposal cited a statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that from July 2021 through December 2023, half of teenagers aged 12 to 17 had four hours or more of daily screen time.

“Excessive screen time can be associated with vision problems, increased anxiety and depression, addictive behavior, reduced attention span, difficulty managing emotions, lower academic achievement and weaker cognition, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics,” the proposal read.

Parent Dorsa Carrick, a founding member of Parents Against Unhealthy Screen Exposure, lauded the proposal and encouraged the board to strengthen its firewall on district devices to limit student internet use to only teacher-approved websites.

Student Board Member Charlotte Kaveh expressed support for the proposal but questioned the specifics of how much time students would be allowed on devices. Manouchehri responded that district staff will return with more specific guidelines after receiving direction from the board.

Board Member Sigalie Sabag said the resolution was “long overdue” and emphasized the need to minimize screen usage for students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to limiting screen time, BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss is in the process of creating an AI task force to determine best implementation practices and the district passed a new cellphone policy in 2023 that limited cellphone usage during instructional time.

“This is an exciting moment for our district. We are taking a thoughtful, forward-looking step to ensure technology supports our students in the right way, with balance, intention and purpose,” Manouchehri told the Courier. “It provides for both a limitation of screen time in the younger years, while maintaining BHUSD’s commitment to innovation, technical education and career-readiness for our older students.”

The board will specify the screen time policy during future study sessions. 

The post BHUSD Approves Student Screen Time Guidelines appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Schools are selected for the California Distinguished Schools Program based on performance indicators from the California School Dashboard, including academic achievement, student progress, school climate indicators, and high participation in statewide assessments. To qualify, schools must meet rigorous statewide accountability standards, including at least 95 percent participation in state assessments and strong indicators in areas such as student achievement, attendance, and school climate.

The California Department of Education will formally recognize BVMS at the California School Recognition Program Awards Ceremony on April 24 in Anaheim.  

The post Beverly Vista Named a 2026 California Distinguished School appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The item was placed on the agenda by Board President Judy Manouchehri, who requested that the board hold a study session to learn more about how technology is being used in classrooms and how it impacts students. 

“I am interested in the developmentally appropriate use of technology in the classroom and beyond,” she said. “The problem is that what you want for your 4-year-old is different than what you want for your 10-year-old, is different than what you want for your 14-year-old, and is different than what you want for your 18-year-old. We, as a board and as a district, are tasked with getting it right for so many different age levels and for so many different purposes.” 

Manouchehri added that she has heard various points of view from teachers in the district regarding the use of tech in the classroom, particularly the widely used classroom program iReady. 

“I think that [teachers are] on both sides of the coin,” she said. “Some of them want to do the iReady. Some of them don’t want to do the iReady. And it’s hard for me to answer them one way or another, because I don’t have enough information.” 

All board members were in support of holding a study session on the issue. Board Member Amanda Stern noted that some programs are perhaps deployed too frequently but added that technological skills are a necessary part of education in the current moment and looking ahead. 

“Let’s look at the reality of, say, 2030,” she said. “Some of the emerging core skills that are projected at that time are AI and big data…technological literacy, as well as understanding systems in computers.” 

Stern added that most college campuses have thoroughly integrated apps and software into their learning environments. 

“That is just a part of our world,” she said. “So, we really need to make a demarcation between the very young brains and making sure that the students that we graduate from our schools are those that are career ready and poised to be economically independent and having viable careers. And very often that involves a minimum of, say, understanding how the cloud works and … Google Docs and all that sort of thing.”

BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss agreed to look at schedules and propose some options for a study session. 

In other business, the board heard from the president of the Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) Israel Club about a controversial speech given on Feb. 17 at the school by internet personality Ben Azoulay. 

Azoulay faced allegations of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in 2008 when he was 18. His  online content includes derogatory speech about women and exhortations for students to stop their education at a young age. 

The club president said that BHHS knew in advance about Azoulay’s talk and approved the event. 

“In planning this event, I submitted all the required forms, and the event was approved by the school, and I have documentation proving this,” he said. “Why would the school explicitly approve a guest speaker to come on campus, then subsequently penalize us for bringing him?” 

These comments seem to contradict statements from the district. In a comment to the Courier following Azoulay’s address to students, Superintendent Alex Cherniss said, “Had the principal or district known ahead of time, [Azoulay] would have never been approved to speak to this student club.” 

The club president additionally stated that as a result of Azoulay’s talk, Rabbi Daniel Illulian, whom the club president described as the club’s “rabbi and spiritual mentor,” has been indefinitely banned from entering the school. 

Speaking to the Courier at the end of February after the event took place, Illulian stated that he knew about the allegations against Azoulay in advance of the talk. 

“I did hear of alleged stories…and I reached out to him,” Illulian said. “I asked him directly about being convicted. He said he was not convicted. He said he was cleared. I looked it up online as well and did not see any convictions.” 

Public records reviewed by the Courier include a civil lawsuit in which Azoulay admitted his guilt on a charge of oral copulation with a minor, and in at least one public video posted to Azoulay’s Instagram account, Azoulay states that he was held in jail for 30 days. 

Illulian additionally stated that he offered Azoulay some guidelines about what would be appropriate to talk about, and, calling his speech “incredible,” said that Azoulay “really inspired the kids.” 

In a statement to the Courier following the event, Manouchehri said of the talk and permitting Azoulay on campus that she was “deeply disappointed that this oversight occurred.”  

The post BHUSD Board Discusses Restricting Education Technology appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Bailey’s championship pedigree is nearly unmatched in California football in his more than 30-year career. As the founding coach at Yorba Linda High School, he led the team to two California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section championships. In his career that also included stints at Esperanza High School and El Dorado High School, he amassed 179 wins, 18 playoff appearances, 11 league titles and four CIF championships.

Beverly Hills went 0-9 last fall and has not had a winning season since 2010, a span that includes five winless seasons.

The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education approved Bailey’s appointment on Feb. 24 with a starting salary of $205,656. As a former UCLA offensive lineman, Bailey told the Courier he was excited about the prospect of transforming a program.

“I love a challenge,” Bailey said. “I went to college in this area at UCLA and that kind of stuff is pretty, pretty awesome about the school. It’s well known, it’s a great community, and I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

Bailey said he hopes to start a lower-level junior varsity team as part of his plans to revitalize the district’s football program. He emphasized that establishing a culture that the whole school can take part in will be key to bringing winning football back to Beverly.

“Football is a game of hard work, and that kind of stuff is going to be a big part of what our program is going to be about,” Bailey said. “We’re going to prepare the kids physically and mentally with technique and all those kinds of things to help prepare them for a season. … I’m big on discipline. And I’ll be honest, my philosophy has always been that I want to create a good human, a disciplined human and the byproduct of that is we win a lot of football games.”

Bailey previously worked with BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss, who formerly served as the superintendent at Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. He also has a past connection with Athletic Director Steve Lawson from their time together at El Dorado.

“This is a defining moment for our athletic program and for our community,” Cherniss said. “Coach Bailey’s track record speaks for itself. He builds cultures rooted in discipline, preparation and integrity. His leadership will elevate our football program and strengthen every athletic team on our campus. This reflects our commitment to educational excellence in every arena.”

Bailey emphasized that the best coaches adapt to the players and system they have. As a former offensive lineman, he wants to build the team’s strategy on physicality, discipline and consistency.

“My philosophy has always been stance alignment, get off,” Bailey said. “So, if you can get a good stance, you can get lined correctly and come off the ball correctly, you’re in a position to win. You won’t always win, but you’re in that position at least. If we have some good structure with our team, and they’re where they’re supposed to be, and make it hard for the other team, usually good things happen.”

As the district’s Director of Strength and Conditioning, Bailey will tailor programs for students districtwide to safely train with weights, utilizing the district’s facilities to develop a program that benefits physical and mental strength for every student in the district. Building on school pride and tradition, Bailey also said he wants to take the atmosphere of BHHS football games to the next level.

“When you have a strong football team, it sets the tempo for the whole year,” he said. “I’ve always been a school-first guy with cheer and other programs and the bands, and things like that to make it fun. I would love to make high school games more like a college game, where everybody’s into it with cheers and traditions. Obviously, I’m going to have to embrace some of the original traditions and then maybe make some of our own.”

Bailey’s appointment comes at an exciting time for BHHS’s facilities as the new Konheim Athletic Building is set to be completed in early 2027, complete with three full-size combination basketball and volleyball courts, a wrestling room, fitness center, bleachers, weight training facilities, locker rooms and offices. Following the building’s completion, the district will gear up to start construction on a new south side athletic field, complete with stadium seating and a track.  

The post BHHS Shakes Up Football Program With Jeff Bailey Hire appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The speaker, Ben Azoulay, is a social media personality who, in 2008, faced allegations of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. Azoulay was 18 at the time.  

According to a civil lawsuit filed by the alleged victim in 2011 and public records reviewed by the Courier, Azoulay “admitted his guilt in open court and was convicted on the charge of violating Penal Code Section 288a(b)(1), oral copulation with a minor.” 

In a video posted to his Instagram account last fall, Azoulay addressed the allegations. He said that he took a plea deal and denied that a sexual assault occurred. He stated that he was “held in jail … for 30 days.”  

Azoulay has been highly controversial due to his posts that often degrade women, encourage young people to do poorly in school and, in at least one post, appear to directly address and make light of the allegations of rape levied against him. 

On Feb. 17, the same day he spoke to BHHS students, Azoulay posted a video to his Instagram describing the benefits of young people discontinuing their education. 

“I was a high school dropout, but I also got kicked out of 17 schools in total,” Azoulay says. “I don’t believe in school. So, if you don’t want school? No problem. You’re not going to use it later on in life.”

In another video posted to his Instagram account in January, Azoulay states that women do not have rights if they remove their clothing.

“When a woman removes her clothes, she thinks she now has rights, and she could do with her body whatever she wants. She’s actually being stripped of her rights … a woman is very easy to manipulate.” 

According to a spokesperson from the district, the visit was coordinated by a student-run club and approved at the BHHS site level, a protocol that is in accordance with the California Education Code.

“The visit was not organized, directed, or approved by the Board of Education … consistent with established campus visitor protocols, the guest’s identification was verified through the district’s visitor management process prior to entry,” the spokesperson said in an email. “The individual cleared all required checks, including confirmation that the individual is not listed on the registered sex offender database. Student-run clubs operate as student-initiated activities rather than district-sponsored programs. As with all campus guests, the district applies standard visitor management, supervision, and safety protocols in accordance with Education Code and district procedures.”

Rabbi Daniel Illulian, who has been referred to as the “spiritual advisor” to the Israel Club, which sponsored the talk, shed some light on the process leading up to the event. 

Illulian described himself to the Courier as “the rabbi of Beverly Hills High School” and “a spiritual mentor of every student.” He  noted that he is on campus “every single day with a prayer stand.”

According to Illulian, Azoulay’s appearance came about after club students heard about him from their friends  and obtained his number. 

“He spoke in the valley a week before and the students spoke to him,” said Illulian. 

Illulian acknowledged that he was uncomfortable when he heard the allegations against Azoulay.  

“I did hear of alleged stories … and I reached out to him,” he said. “I asked him directly about being convicted. He said he was not convicted. He said he was cleared. I looked it up online as well and did not see any convictions. I did let the president of the club know about this and I let the school decide about whether to have him speak.” 

Illulian added that once Azoulay was confirmed as a speaker, he provided “some guidelines to him about what to say and what not to say.” 

“For example,” said Illulian, “I told him, ‘No foul words, nothing inappropriate for students.’” 

According to Illulian, Azoulay “really inspired the kids.” 

“The school teacher who was there was very satisfied and impressed with his words. Many kids were, too. He spoke about the importance of saying ‘no’ to drugs. He also spoke about his own difficult life and all the challenges he went through. His father was not in his life. He inspired the boys to never give up and to push. His speech was actually incredible,” said Illulian. 

That sentiment was not shared by a number of district parents who spoke out at the Feb. 24 BHUSD Board meeting. 

Community member Tamar Seff suggested that parents look at Azoulay’s social media presence. 

“[Ben] Azoulay, he’s misogynistic,” she said. “Hopefully, the kids don’t know what that means, but if their teachers are really good, they do. And he’s very problematic.”

District parent Michael Carrick said that he would like to see an apology from the district. 

“I want to know how that person got on campus,” he said. “I want to know why there’s been no apology … he is not a person that should be in front of our boys, our impressionable young boys. It truly disturbs me.” 

District parent Jackie Kruger was forced to leave the meeting after trying to speak about the incident. During public comment, Kruger attempted to make a statement about Azoulay’s talk. As Kruger began to speak, Board President Judy Manouchehri interrupted her, stating that Kruger’s comment was being made at the incorrect time and that she should wait to make it until later in the meeting. As Kruger continued to quote directly from the civil complaint against Azoulay, BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss told her, “This is not appropriate … please stop,” and echoed Manouchehri’s statement that the comment should be held until later. 

The dialogue between Manouchehri, Cherniss and Kruger continued to escalate until Kruger was approached by two security guards who escorted her out. During the escalation, Board Member Russell Stuart stood up from the dais and called Kruger “disgusting.” 

Speaking to the Courier after the meeting, Kruger said she was not permitted to return to the meeting or finish her comment. 

“Security told me that either Cherniss or Manouchehri said I was to be ejected from the building for the remainder of the night,” she said. 

Later that evening, Kruger, who is an attorney, sent Manouchehri, Cherniss, Stuart and district counsel a demand to cure, alleging violations of the Ralph M. Brown Act, the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment and state tort law. 

She also demanded the adoption of a written remedial policy, mandatory training for all board members and Cherniss, the preservation of audio and video recordings of the meeting and permission to deliver her full remarks at the next board meeting

In a Feb. 26 statement to the Courier, Superintendent Alex Cherniss denounced Azoulay’s talk. 

“Some of the views espoused by this man, which I’ve seen on social are abhorrent,” he said. “Had the principal or district known ahead of time, he would have never been approved to speak to this student club.”

Similarly, a statement received from Manouchehri close to press time on Feb. 26 noted, “Beverly Hills Unified School District supports student engagement and exposure to diverse viewpoints. That said, the speaker who presented at last week’s student-run event did not reflect the level of judgment, appropriateness, or alignment with our community’s values that we expect on our campuses. As Board President, I am deeply disappointed that this oversight occurred. Moving forward, we will implement a more rigorous vetting process to ensure all speakers uphold the standards and responsibilities inherent in addressing our students.”

The post BHUSD Community Responds to Controversial Speaker appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The two-story, 55,000-square-foot athletic facility will feature three full-size combination basketball and volleyball courts, a wrestling room, fitness center, bleachers, weight training facilities, locker rooms and offices. The new facility will replace the current Konheim Athletic Building, which will be demolished following the facility’s completion. Construction by Swinerton Builders began in fall 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in early 2027 with an estimated cost of under $60 million.

“Sports builds character. It builds skills that the classroom can’t teach,” said Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Public Information Officer Colby Gilardian. “It’s important that we have athletics and education go hand in hand. So having a dedicated space, brand new facilities to support our student-athletes is so important.”

The new building is currently visible while driving along Moreno Drive, between the Grand Lawn and the Swim Gym.

“The contractor on the project, Swinerton, is doing quick work of all the masonry that needs to be done first, so you can see that most of the shell of the building is almost there,” said Executive Director of Maintenance, Operations and Construction Will Karrat. “All the path is slate, and we’re going to start pouring some concrete flatwork to help move things along and start putting up some walls on the first floor of the building pretty soon.”

As part of the athletic facility renovations, the district is building an outdoor eight-lane, 25-yard swimming pool that will allow BHHS to host swim meets and water polo matches. The pool will also serve as a community pool, accessible to the public. The existing Swim Gym, as featured in “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), will also remain.

“Currently, the plan is to have both pools available, for use by our students and by the community,” Karrat said. “It’s a high demand thing to have, because the community loves to use the pool, and of course, our athletes need to use the pool, so the second one is going to be very beneficial, wonderful.”

The new Konheim Athletic Building will also include a designated room for the BHHS Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame, featuring Beverly Hills’ most renowned student-athletes in its history, including tennis legend Louise Brough Clapp. Clapp, who grew up playing tennis at Roxbury Park and went on to become a Wimbledon and United States Tennis champion, donated one of her Wimbledon trophies to the Hall of Fame.

Following the completion of the new Konheim Athletic Building, the district will gear up to start construction on a new south side athletic field, which can begin once the old Konheim Athletic Building is torn down. The new field will be complete with stadium seating and a track. The BHUSD Board of Education also awarded a bid to the Nazerian Group and tBP/Architecture on Jan. 27 for a new 110-space parking lot along Olympic Boulevard for $4,429,600 to help support the school’s new facilities.

“The new Konheim Athletic Building marks more than the start of a new facility; it symbolizes a renewal of hope, opportunity and pride for our entire BHUSD community,” BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss told the Courier. “This state-of-the-art home for athletics will empower our students to push beyond boundaries, build lifelong bonds and experience the joy of excellence every time they step into the gym. What we are building here honors our past, elevates our present and inspires every learner to reach higher, dream bigger and stand taller, together in a community that believes deeply in their potential.”

The district has recently completed several major construction projects at BHHS, including the new 1,200-seat Peters Auditorium, the Salter Family Theatre, six new tennis courts, a new softball field and the renovated Grand Lawn is expected to open in the coming months.

The post Progress Continues on Konheim Athletic Building at BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The circumstances surrounding her resignation are not clear, however Collins-Williams filed a lawsuit against the district and the BHUSD Board of Education in January 2024. The suit alleges discrimination on the basis of age, race and gender; a hostile work environment; retaliation and a violation of the labor code protecting whistleblowers.

In the complaint, Collins-Williams, who is Black, alleged that the district’s culture “traumatiz[ed]” students, parents, community members and staff of color.

The lawsuit states that Collins-Williams was passed over for the job of deputy superintendent after being considered for and, she thought, “groomed” for the position. The suit states that instead, the district hired a younger Caucasian woman with no prior relevant experience, then promoted the new employee and raised her pay multiple times.

Meanwhile, Collins-Williams claims she was tasked with working towards rectifying data that showed that administrators at BHUSD disproportionately disciplined students of color. According to a court filing in Sept. 2024, Collins-Williams alleged that administrators “continue[d] to misrepresent and/or underreport this disciplinary data” and “endorsed a racially hostile work environment, which included racial slurs and racially discriminatory policies directed at Plaintiff” and other Black students and teachers.

In April 2025, attorneys for Collins-Williams were granted a motion to compel the attendance of former BHUSD Superintendent Michael Bregy at his continued deposition, answers to deposition questions and the production of documents.

The district declined to comment for this story. As of press time, an attorney representing Collins-Williams has not replied to the Courier’s request for comment.

A jury trial is set for her case in May.

The post BHUSD Assistant Superintendent Resigns appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The DLA was rolled out at Horace Mann and El Rodeo Elementary Schools with one kindergarten class and one first-grade class at Horace Mann, and one kindergarten class and two first grade classes at El Rodeo.

According to Horace Mann Assistant Principal Adrienne Kim, who together with El Rodeo Assistant Principal William Cameron gave a presentation to the board, first grade students enrolled in the program are “building Spanish literacy skills at the expected rate for a first-year immersion program, and the instructional approach is working.” 

Kinder students in the program have shown “a consistent performance across sites, which tells us that our launch implementation is aligned,” she said.  

Student progress is being evaluated through a combination of i-Ready, classroom assessments and teacher evaluations.  

Addressing some parent concerns, Assistant Superintendent Dustin Seemann spoke about the program’s “90-10” approach, in which 90% of core subject instruction is done in Spanish and 10% is done in English. As students enter middle school, instruction will shift to a 50-50 model, he said. 

“We spent the weekend at a DLA conference this past weekend at San Diego State, and everything and every session we sat through consistently doubled down on the fact that a 90-10 model within the first two years, as we move into a 50-50, those students … do outperform their English-only students by the time that they hit middle school,” he said. 

In advance of the presentation given by Kim and Cameron, a group of first graders enrolled in the DLA program performed a poem, “El Puente,” in both English and Spanish and a story, “Isabel Ayuda,” in Spanish.  

The board initially discussed the idea for the DLA in May 2025 and gave administrators the green light to bring the idea to fruition at that time. At that board meeting, Seemann noted that it seemed to be the right time to implement the idea since BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss had spearheaded similar projects in other districts, and the idea had the support of the board. 

Curriculum was vetted by district personnel, and teachers were recruited as students were simultaneously enrolled. Students in the program are instructed using the same state-approved curriculum as those in English-only classes. 

BHUSD additionally partnered with TNTP, a nonprofit educational consultation organization, to launch the DLA. 

At the Jan. 27 board meeting, Cherniss expressed his enthusiasm about the DLA. 

“This program will forever change the Beverly Hills Unified School District,” he said. “We each and every year will grow this program to where we are going to have fluent students in Spanish beginning by the time they get to middle school. So, I couldn’t be happier with the progress. I can tell you we’ve already started enrollment for next year, and we’re on our way to two full classes, one at each school already … it’s a huge win for our district that we put in place in very short time.”

Speaking in Spanish, Board Member Amanda Stern thanked the teachers and Cherniss, and said that she wanted to practice her own Spanish as she was once a student in a bilingual program as well. She additionally stated that she was very impressed with all the children. 

“It was a turning point for us to see [the program] because it was one of the most distinct programs we’ve had in a long time,” she said. 

Board Member Rachelle Marcus, who taught in the district for more than 50 years, also voiced her appreciation for the teachers, students and parents who have participated in the DLA so far. 

“I hope that we’re able to keep up with the need and the demand so that we can find the people to continue the program, because I see it’s wonderful, and I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “I’m just thinking to myself, they’re going to get to sixth grade, and my goodness, are Spanish classes going to have to be AP at that point? Because they’re going to be so super ready. And I’m glad that we’ve got the program in. It’s been very popular, and I’m glad to see it’s continuing on.”

According to Seemann, registration recently opened for current transitional Kindergarten students whose families wish to enroll them in the program for the next school year.  

The post BHUSD Spanish Immersion Program Shows Progress appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

With nearly 1,200 seats, the newly renovated auditorium features state-of-the-art theatrical technology, including a multistory lighting catwalk, speakers, security cameras and ADA-accessible features. The theater is complete with an orchestra, balcony and a motorized orchestra pit that can be assembled or disassembled for any given performance. The facility also offers new dressing rooms, a green room and an engineering space for students to work on set construction while preserving the theater’s façade.

The renovation was funded over many years through local bond measures and was overseen by Executive Director of Maintenance, Operations and Construction Will Karrat and management firm Fonder-Solari.

Members of the Beverly Hills City Council, BHUSD Board of Education, parents, students, teachers, Parent Teacher Student Association leadership and Beverly Hills Education Foundation Board members came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by the opening night performance of Dance Company 2026.

“This reopening is the result of years of thoughtful planning and commitment to our students and community and of course, thank you to every community member here tonight,” said BHUSD Board of Education President Judy Manouchehri. “Your presence reflects how deeply this district, and these spaces matter to Beverly Hills. This reopening also represents something larger: it marks yet another accomplishment in BHUSD’s ongoing investment in world-class facilities for our students in our community.”

The reopened theater will not only serve as a performance space for the school’s music, theater and dance programs, but will finally serve as a place for the full school to gather for assemblies. The theater’s technology will help support the school’s theater tech pathway, where students learn lighting design, sound design and stagecraft. The auditorium will also help facilitate a hands-on approach with school shows, where students will build sets for each production.

The auditorium’s stage was named after real estate agent Michael Libow, a BHHS alumnus, who donated the stage through the Beverly Hills Education Foundation.

“If somebody is a new parent coming into the Beverly Hills community, they will now be proud to call this their high school,” Libow said. “This is something that we can all be proud of in this community, and it brings people together.”

Students were at the forefront of every part of the theater’s reopening. A BHHS string quartet serenaded guests while Culinary Arts students prepared and served hors d’oeuvres. The main performance was led by the BHHS Advanced Dance Theatre Group, a group of 20 dancers who marked the theater’s first artistic performance with rousing and inspiring contemporary dance.

“It’ll elevate the quality of what we do. When you have great events like this, great venues like this, amazing kids will want to come here because of our dance, theater and arts, and it’s going to elevate all of our arts programs,” BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss said. “I think what we have here is the best of the best. And any parent that brings their kid here would say, ‘Hey, I want my kid to go here.’”

The auditorium had its soft opening on Jan. 27, when it hosted an assembly of five Holocaust survivors for Holocaust Remembrance Day. The student body gathered for the first time in one space to hear the stories of the survivors.

The Peters Auditorium reopening coincides with other major campus construction projects, including the renovated Salter Family Theatre, six new tennis courts, a new softball field, classroom and performance spaces in the B3 and B4 buildings and the Grand Lawn, which is set to reopen in the coming months.

“Tonight marks more than the reopening of a theater—it marks the fulfillment of a promise,” Manouchehri said. “A promise that every student deserves a space that honors their talent, amplifies their voice and reflects their worth. Through the unwavering commitment of this district, that promise has been kept, creating a comprehensive home for arts education and performance within BHUSD.” 

The post Beverly Hills High Celebrates Peters Auditorium Reopening appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The two actions taken by the board were challenged before, during and after the meeting, including in a complaint and petition for writ of mandate, declaratory and injunctive relief filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Jan. 26 by district parent Daniel Lifschitz. 

In his filing, Lifschitz argued that Board President Judy Manouchehri, and Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart—who together form a majority on the board—violated the board Bylaw 9100 in voting to deny Board Member Amanda Stern the vice presidency at the mandatory board organizational meeting in December 2025. 

At the time of that meeting, Bylaw 9100 existed in a version passed in 2024. Its terms stated that the vice presidency shall be determined in a rotation according to term of service and number of votes received. Stern received the highest number of votes in comparison to the other two board members—Sabag and Stuart—with the same length of service in the current term. As such, she was in line for the vice presidency. 

The lawsuit filed by Lifschitz alleges that the majority “elected to brazenly violate Bylaw 9100 based upon nothing more than animus towards Dr. Stern. They cited defamatory (and ultimately pretextual) reasons for lacking confidence in Dr. Stern’s fitness to lead, then assumed ad hoc authority to instead install Sabag as the vice president by majority vote.”

In addition to his complaint, Lifschitz appeared in court on Jan. 27 on an ex parte application for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the board from changing the bylaws and electing Sabag to the vice presidency at the board meeting later that day. His application for extraordinary relief was denied by a judge, but the lawsuit will nonetheless proceed.

After the judge’s ruling on the TRO, the district sent out a press release with the heading “Beverly Hills Unified School District Prevails over Lifschitz; Gipson Hoffman & Pancione.” Gipson Hoffman & Pancione is Lifschitz’s employer. His lawsuit against the district was filed by him as a plaintiff acting as his own attorney. 

Lifschitz’s employer, the Gipson firm, is not involved in the case. Nonetheless, the release with their name on it was distributed by the district to members of the firm. 

In the release, the district states that BHUSD “prevailed” over Lifschitz and that the judge’s decision “reaffirm[ed] that the board conducts its business lawfully, transparently, and in full compliance with applicable law.”

“The judge said no such thing,” Lifschitz told the Courier. He went on to describe the release as a  “thuggish attempt in intimidation” that is “beneath the dignity of the district.” 

He added, “The retaliatory nature of this tactic only underscores the majority’s unprofessionalism and serves as further evidence of why the lawsuit against them must and will continue.”

At the board meeting on Jan. 27, the board voted to revise Bylaw 9100 to strike the language regulating the terms of the vice president’s selection. It also removed language stating that no board member shall serve more than one consecutive year in the same office. 

The vote to revise the bylaw passed by a 3-2 vote, with Stern and Board Member Rachelle Marcus voting no. 

The board then took another vote to elect Sabag as vice president by a 3-2 vote, with Stern and Marcus again voting no. 

The board stated that its rationale for the reconsidered election was an alleged violation by Stern of California’s Ralph M. Brown Act, which governs the conduct of public officials in meetings. The Brown Act prohibits “any use of direct communication, personal intermediaries, or technological devices that is employed by a majority of the members of the legislative body to develop a collective concurrence as to action to be taken on an item by the members of the legislative body.”

Sabag raised allegations of Brown Act violations against Stern at the board’s Jan. 13 meeting. She stated that Stern had spoken with her as well as Board Member Rachelle Marcus prior to the December 2025 organizational meeting. 

Sabag and Stern have differing accounts of the conversations. But, Stern was accused at the Jan. 27 board meeting of conducting a prohibited “serial meeting” in violation of the Brown Act. A serial meeting involves a majority of the board discussing board business in one-on-one communication with the intent to decide on a course of action. 

Stern responded that her actions were “scarcely a Brown Act violation.”   

“Neither I, nor anyone acting on my behalf violated the Brown Act, as no collective action was taken or caused by me on a non-discretionary matter,” Stern said.

The board majority nonetheless cited a 90-day obligation to “cure” Stern’s Brown Act violation and proceeded to revise the bylaw and reelect Sabag. 

The Courier has reached out to the district and to its counsel Michael Travis, who appeared by video at the hearing, to clarify the specific authority governing the board’s curative actions. 

A representative for the district said it would not comment on litigation. As of press time, the Courier has not received a response from Travis. 

Speaking on her own behalf, Stern later told the Courier that “The voters made it clear that the ‘will of the people’ was that the board conform to the bylaws and thereby install me as vice president by the end of 2025. That failed to happen. I am hopeful that the board will correct their course of action. Meanwhile, I wish to showcase our district in a positive light, and I am excited about some recent student accomplishments.” 

The post BHUSD Board Changes Bylaws, Installs Sabag appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

On Dec. 16, Board Member Judy Manouchehri was sworn in as the board’s new president and Board Member Sigalie Sabag was sworn in as the board’s new vice president, despite having received fewer votes in the most recent election. The board’s bylaws state that when multiple board members have the same term of service, “they shall serve as vice president in descending order of the number of votes received in their most recent election.”

At the Dec. 16 meeting, Stuart, Manouchehri and Sabag voted against Stern’s installation. Manouchehri criticized Stern’s actions while on the board, stating that she could more closely adhere to the Brown Act and not make “false statements to the public about closed session matters.”

On Jan. 13, following comments from district parents and students in her support, Stern decried her treatment by fellow board members, saying it humiliated her and caused chaos, and demanded to be installed as vice president.

Stern pointed to her accomplishments as a board member, including making a safety plan for graduation and increasing cybersecurity, and said that a record 7,102 voters supported her in the last election. Stern also condemned Board Member Russell Stuart’s social media posts and held up a photo of one that said, “Cheers to my haters! Be patient. So much more is coming,” and asked the room if they would tolerate the same behavior from their teenage children.

Board Member Rachelle Marcus, who nominated Stern for vice president, also criticized Manouchehri’s statements against Stern, calling them a “pre-planned attack for personal goals” and saying she was “appalled.” Marcus’ comments were met with applause from the gathered audience.

During public comment, district parent and attorney Daniel Lifschitz demanded Stern’s installation and threatened a lawsuit against the district if it did not abide.

“At least one person on this dais went to law school and should understand how separation of powers works,” he said. “You may also want to refresh your recollection of how mandamus works because that’s what I’ll be suing you under if you refuse to discharge your sworn ministerial duties under the bylaws and continue to perpetuate this charade that Miss Sabag was lawfully installed as vice president in a shameful December coup. … Do your job or I’ll see you in court.”

Stuart defended the board majority’s actions in voting against Stern and argued that the board has improved the district in the past year in numerous ways. During his comments, audience members shouted their disapproval at Stuart. Stuart then replied to Lifschitz and said, “I can’t believe you’re a freaking lawyer,” before getting up and leaving the meeting.

Manouchehri addressed Stern directly at the end of the meeting.

“While what I said has been described by many, I spoke to you from my heart and I spoke with you softly and not in an aggressive way,” she said. “I was voting my conscience based on not your views, but the interactions that we had had. I think you know that I respect your perspective, and I respect your opinion, and I acknowledge what you bring to this table, and I understand your anger. I hope that we can, like we did tonight, continue to work together.” 

The post BHUSD Faces Litigation Threat in Wake of Stern Controversy appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The renovated lawn along the west side of Moreno Drive will feature two distinct grass sections for students to use. The lawn will run across the entire Building B with a pathway leading to the school’s attendance office, ending at the new Konheim Athletic Building, scheduled to open at the end of 2026. The Grand Lawn, once the centerpiece of BHHS’s campus where graduation was held, will be used by teachers to host classes and by students as a place to eat lunch, study and make memories with friends. 

Funded through local bond measures, the Grand Lawn renovation is being overseen by management firm Fonder-Solari and carried out by construction firm Swinerton Inc.

“The students have been without it for so long, and just to have a space that really exemplifies who we are as a community and who we are as students means so much,” said Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Public Information Officer Colby Gilardian.

The renovations involved concrete flatwork, landscaping, irrigation and installing lighting, cameras and Wi-Fi, said Will Karrat, the BHUSD executive director of maintenance, operations and construction. The Grand Lawn renovation will dramatically change BHHS morning drop-off, as a new traffic lane along Moreno Drive will be added, Karrat said. The new lane will allow students to be safely picked up and dropped off in front of the high school, rather than having to drive all the way into the school’s main entrance. The lawn will also be surrounded by a new wrought iron fence, with cameras installed and each gate monitored by security guards.

Karrat added that in planning the renovation, it was important to provide enough green space while also selecting grass that would be easy to maintain.

“So, we wanted to keep the old look of having it being a grand lawn, and not just have it be a brown space,” Karrat said. “We wanted to have a lot of green so that’s what we’re going to incorporate into the lawn area. And then there’s two sections of raised areas, or small little hillsides that will be covered with drought-tolerant plants that we’re hoping it’s not going to require a lot of maintenance. It will hold up through the years, certainly.”

The reopening of the Grand Lawn coincides with other construction projects at BHHS that have been completed or are near completion in the new year. The fall saw the reopening of the Salter Family Theatre in Building 3, a 125-seat theater with modernized equipment for audio-visual technology, lighting systems and a redesigned backstage area. This year will also see the reopening of the Peters Auditorium, a 1,200-seat theater space that will open in conjunction with the BHHS Dance Company’s annual performance. The show is slated to run from Jan. 28-30 and will be the first production at the newly renovated Peters Auditorium in more than 10 years. 

In planning the Grand Lawn reopening, increasing campus safety was as important as providing an open space for students, Gilardian added.

“We obviously want the most modernized campuses and to give our students the tools and resources to succeed as best as possible within the facilities, but we also want to be courteous neighbors,” Gilardian said. “Our current Board of Education is really committed to finishing our facilities construction. We don’t want to be in construction forever, but we also want our facilities to be the best it can be. And so we feel like now is the golden age.”

BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss welcomed the renovation as a new chapter for BHHS.

“The Grand Lawn has always been the heart of our campus,” Cherniss said. “For generations, it welcomed students each morning and served as a place for connection, reflection and celebration. From daily lunches and studying to milestone moments like graduations, it holds deep meaning for our school community. After being closed for many years, we are now in the final stages of restoring this space back to our students, where it belongs. As superintendent, it is incredibly meaningful to help guide this moment, and I look forward to the many ways our students will soon learn, gather and grow here every day.”

The reopening of the lawn is especially significant for longtime BHHS faculty members who remember when students would congregate and make memories on the lawn before and after class.

“I am very excited for the reopening of our front lawn,” said BHHS math teacher Elaina Reilly. “It will be wonderful to again have a beautiful, natural space where students can gather, play and make high school memories.”  

The post Beverly Hills High School Grand Lawn Reopens After 10 Years appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Prior to Sabag’s election, Board Member Amanda Stern was nominated for the vice presidency by outgoing Board President Rachelle Marcus. Stern’s nomination appeared to be in keeping with the board’s bylaws, which state that the vice president is determined by rotation based on how long each member has served on the board during their current term. 

The bylaws state that if, as is the case with the current board, multiple board members have “the same term of service, then they shall serve as vice president in descending order of the number of votes received in their most recent election.”

In November 2024, Stern, Sabag and Board Member Russell Stuart were all up for election with Stern up for reelection. Stern received the most votes with 26.85%, followed by Sabag with 25.26% and Stuart with 24.74%. 

Manouchehri, Sabag and Stuart voted against Stern’s nomination for vice president. Stuart later nominated Sabag, who was approved in a 3-2 vote. Marcus and Stern voted against Sabag’s appointment. 

Reading from a statement during the comment period discussing Stern’s appointment as vice president, Manouchehri directed a lengthy speech at Stern, listing a number of what she called “key governance capabilities.” 

“For example, adhering to the Brown Act, adhering to the Board Governance handbook … not responding to the media, not calling the media and asking them to run certain articles in order to bash other board members, not relitigating board votes in the papers, not making false statements to the public about closed session matters, and not misleading the public when you voted unanimously with the rest of the board in closed session and more,” Manouchehri said.

It is not clear what articles or media Manouchehri was referencing. The Courier has not received requests or phone calls from Stern. 

Directing her comments to Stern, Manouchehri claimed that she “pleaded with you on more occasions than I would like to count to please be mindful of these behaviors … with respect to you being an officer of the board, I have been very torn … but as a trustee whose sworn duty is to this district, I believe I have no choice but to vote no.”

Speaking at the end of the meeting, Stern referenced an incident in 2023 in which Manouchehri used profanity in board communication, calling Manouchehri’s actions “unacceptable, abusive and toxic.” 

“I continue to want to work on this board very much, but I’m not at all surprised,” Stern added. “It’s shocking too, because the bylaws say that if you got the most votes, and that would be me, you have the longest term, then that is the person who becomes the vice president. So, it’s shocking that you guys would just go against the bylaws, ostensibly because Mr. Stuart got the lowest number of votes and you want him to be president … please don’t assume that I go around and gossip or divulge information, because it simply isn’t true.”

In a statement to the Courier on Dec. 17, Stern said that “word reached” her that the vote against her had been planned, so she had been expecting it. However, she said, “What was shocking was Mrs. Manouchehri’s prepared statement full of false allegations, which was very hurtful.” 

Stern added, “Our school mission statement asks for ‘respect and integrity’ and a ‘culture of honesty.’ This is critical for board members, as we serve as role models … my colleagues know well that I aim for peace and kindness even through differences. I look forward to productive and positive work on behalf of our students.”

BHUSD told the Courier in a statement that the board “appropriately followed the law,” noting that the board bylaws and state education code both stipulate that the board is required to “elect a president, vice president, and a clerk from its members.”

“The BHUSD Board of Education fulfilled its obligation to elect a president, a vice president, and a clerk … The contradictory language in [the bylaws] which appoints a board member to the office of Vice President absent a legal vote by the school board is invalid and does not supersede education code” or other language in the bylaws, said the district. 

Speaking to the Courier about why he voted against Stern’s appointment and in favor of Sabag’s, Stuart said he made the decision he thought was best for the community. 

“I just simply said, I am going to vote for the person that I feel is best suited for the job for the next 12 months,” he said. “It’s nothing personal.”  

The post New BHUSD Board Officers Are Appointed Amid Shake-Up appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The board voted to increase its monthly compensation from $240 to $1,200. The raise comes after the passage of Assembly Bill 1390 in October, which increased maximum monthly stipends for school board members in California. Under the new law, in districts with an average daily attendance between 1,000 and 10,000, school board members can receive a maximum of $1,200 per month. The board unanimously passed the motion on second reading and will review compensation for the student board member later.

“We put in so much time and effort that there’s no way to even compensate what we’re doing,” Board Member Sigalie Sabag said in favor of the proposal.

The board also unanimously approved a district trip to the Consumer Electronics Show— an annual electronics trade show that takes place in Las Vegas in January—at $4,000 per person for an unspecified 2-5 board and administration members.

“Attending CES provides staff with firsthand exposure to cutting-edge technologies and advanced AI tools, allowing them to deepen their understanding of emerging innovations and bring back critical insights that keep BHUSD forward-thinking, future-ready and aligned with best practices in educational technology and AI integration,” the proposal read.

Kimberly Lifschitz, a district parent, raised concerns over the cost of attending the conference, the lack of clarity on who would be attending and the district’s rapid implementation of Artificial Intelligence. She said the expense for a consumer trade show that is not open to the public is unreasonable when her son’s district school is consistently short staffed with classroom aides. Lifschitz also raised the concerns of the mental health impacts of AI.

“Four [thousand] per person but we don’t get names or an accurate head count—could it be because there is zero reason for school board members and district personnel to attend a consumer tech trade show?” Lifschitz said. “This is just plain insulting.”

BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss argued that attending CES was relevant to the school district due to the cybersecurity training, robotics courses and AI training that it offers. He added that command center technologist Ryan Damavandi, robotics teacher John Castle and public information officer Colby Gilardian may attend the conference to bring back lessons on technology.

“There is cybersecurity training as part of this and that will be a great investment for us … We know our parents really care about security,” Cherniss said. “It looks like it’s a worthwhile investment as we continue to talk about AI, we continue to talk about cybersecurity, ways to keep our kids safe, ways to provide the best education.”

Earlier in the meeting, parent Daniel Lifschitz raised concerns about a social media post from Board Member Russell Stuart in which Stuart replied “FAFO” to a post on X about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s daughter condemning President Donald Trump for calling her father “retarded.” Walz has a disabled son. Stuart then posted “feelings activated, facts overruled,” to clarify his comment.

Lifschitz, the parent of a disabled child, noted, “Is this the type of belief we should want someone in charge of overseeing education not only harbor but feel comfortable enough to express to the world without any apparent second thought?” he said. “If this is the example we’re looking to set for our kids, I fear the district’s legal troubles are only beginning.”

Stuart did not respond to the substance of Lifschitz’ comments. 

The board also unanimously approved an agreement with LA High Tech Enterprises to install vape detectors at Beverly Vista Middle School for a total cost of $64,127.11. Vape detectors were previously installed at Beverly Hills High School. The agreement comes after Board Member Russell Stuart said the vape detectors had been effective and revealed how many students were consistently vaping at a Nov. 1 Health and Safety Commission meeting. 

The post BHUSD Board Approves Pay Raise and District Trip appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Coming off a second-round loss last season against Silverado High School in the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 7 playoffs to cap off an 11-12-1 record, the Normans are looking to compete at the top of the table in the 2025-26 campaign.

Coach Emilio Lari, in his third year as head coach of the program, said his current squad of players has been developing together for years.

“This will be my third year as head coach at BHHS, and what makes it meaningful is watching our long-term development model take shape,” Lari said. “Our current senior class was the very first group we began building at Beverly Vista Middle School (BVMS), and seeing their growth from sixth grade to varsity soccer has been incredibly rewarding. With a unified coaching staff across BVMS and BHHS, we’ve built a connected system that focuses not only on technical development, but on character, culture and life lessons. Our mission is to develop talented players, but more importantly, to develop exceptional people.”

Due to CIF realignment last season, Santa Monica, Culver City and Lawndale high schools rejoined Beverly’s division, upping the competition level on a weekly basis.

“We fought our way into the postseason again, meeting expectations in league play. While we’re proud of reaching the second round of CIF for the second straight year, falling short of advancing further was motivating,” Lari said. “Before I took over, the program had never advanced past the first round. Now, we’ve made back-to-back second-round appearances. That progress shows we’re close, and it’s fueled the belief that this year’s group can break through and make a deeper run.”

Lari said he is relying on the returning top players from last season, Noah Mussry and Noam Baruch, as well as this year’s captains to lead the team.

“[Mussry] drives our attack with relentlessness, aggressive pressing and creativity. He’ll continue to be a focal point in leading the front line and setting the tone with his work rate,” Lari said. “Noam Baruch leads through his composure. He draws pressure, yet consistently finds outlets and creates attacks with intelligence and vision. His calmness allows the entire team to play with clarity and confidence in possession.”

“Our captains, Nico Vallejo, Levi Sasson and Jesse Painter, will lead not only through ability but passion,” Lari added. “Each brings a different leadership quality, but together they set the emotional tone of our squad. Their standard of effort, accountability and love for the game is contagious. We believe this team is successful because of its passion. Talent wins games; passion and unity win seasons.”

To make that deeper run into the playoffs, Beverly players take part in a rigorous preseason program designed to help players meet the highest fitness levels while learning to play together cohesively.

“Every athlete must pass program-wide fitness standards, including the mile run, beep test and Man U test,” Lari said. “Once teams are formed, our focus shifts to shape, tactical intelligence, decision-making and culture. We schedule friendlies and scrimmages against teams of varying difficulties. Some matches we expect to win, others push us against top-division competition to build mental toughness. The objective is simple: enter the season cohesive, disciplined, fit and fearless.”

Though the Normans have started 1-2 on the season, with losses to New West Charter High School and Windward School, Lari said he was encouraged by the team’s tactical style in a dominant 7-0 win against Verbum Dei Jesuit High School and during a preseason scrimmage against Crossroads High School. He added that the team was not at full strength during the season-opening loss to New West due to CIF restrictions.

“We play a team-based, possession-oriented style built around movement, involvement and patience,” Lari said. “Instead of relying on one or two individuals, we emphasize collective play and trust in every line of our formation. Our base structure is a 4-3-3, but we’re flexible and adjust based on personnel and opposition.”

Lari emphasized that his team’s fluidity is their strength and relies most on the midfield to set the tempo.

“We build out of the back and look to progress through the midfield, which operates as the engine of our system,” he said. “The goal is to control tempo, stretch the field, and create high-percentage scoring opportunities through combination play, not just direct balls forward.”

Beyond building a cohesive system, Lari said that Beverly’s advantage is investing in players since they were young through a program that begins in middle school and retains the same players until they graduate high school. This sense of cohesion and togetherness, Lari said, is what will allow the team to compete against top programs like Santa Monica and Culver City, and make a deep playoff run.

“Beverly Hills soccer is unique because it’s a true community program. We develop players through a linear pathway, middle school to high school, allowing us to strengthen fundamentals, identity and culture from a young age,” he said. “Our players compete for the school and for the city, but more importantly, they compete for each other. We’ve earned league title contention and reached the second round of CIF in back-to-back seasons, yet we stay humble. We don’t rely on attention or spotlight; our drive comes from the family within the program and the standard we hold ourselves to.” 

The post ‘Sky Is the Limit’ for BHHS Men’s Soccer appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The district must pay $9.6 million to Siegman, per the jury’s Nov. 26 decision. 

Speaking to the Courier, attorney Stephen Weisskopf, who represented Siegman, expressed his contentment. 

“We are very happy with the jury, we are very happy with what they did,” he said. “We are happy for Laurie more than anything else.” 

In the suit, Siegman alleged that Hank “Henry” Friedman sexually abused her from 1978 to 1981. She also alleged that district officials knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to take action to protect her and other students. 

Siegman’s complaint, which was filed in 2020, took advantage of a California law which granted an extension of the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits alleging childhood sexual abuse. 

The first trial in the case took place in March 2024. It resulted in a hung jury on the issue of whether school officials knew or should have known about the abuse.

A second trial began in October and resulted in the current verdict. The jury unanimously concluded that administrators or supervisory employees were negligent, and that several district employees knew or should have known about the abuse. 

The jury also unanimously concluded that the negligent supervision of Friedman was a substantial factor in harming Siegman.

Friedman must also pay Siegman $6.4 million.

In a statement, Siegman expressed her relief and gratitude. 

“I am profoundly grateful to the victims and witnesses who had the courage to share their stories during my trial,” said Siegman in a statement. “After all these years, having the truth acknowledged means more than I can express. I am also thankful for the incredible legal team that stood by me and fought tirelessly on my behalf.”

BHUSD provided the following statement to the Courier: 

“This case involves allegations dating back more than 45 years. District counsel is reviewing all legal options, including a potential appeal. Importantly, our Superintendent, with the support of the Board, located insurance policies from the 1970s that previous administrations were unable to find. As a result, the Beverly Hills community will likely not bear the financial impact of this matter. While we respect the legal process and all parties involved, our focus remains on moving forward and continuing to create safe, supportive learning environments for every student.” 

The post Former Student Wins $9.6 Million Verdict Against BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Almog Meir Jan attended the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. When Hamas militants descended onto the festival, Meir Jan saw his best friend get murdered and was then taken as a hostage into the Gaza Strip, where he was held for more than eight months in different apartments. 

Ben Ladany served during the war in the IDF’s Oketz K-9 unit along with his dog, Jack, where during a mission in Gaza, Ladany was shot seven times and Jack was killed. After waking from a two-month coma, Ladany met Meir Jan in the U.S., where they now travel and share their stories at schools and public forums. More than 200 Beverly Hills High School students gathered at an assembly to hear the speakers.

Meir Jan said that positive manifestation helped him remain hopeful while in captivity.

“The time in captivity brought to my head a lot of lessons and a lot on how to deal with struggles in your life,” he said. “The first months of the captivity, I always blamed myself for what happened. I blamed God. I blamed my country. I was angry. … After one month, I realized that I can’t control [anything] that happens outside. … The only thing that I can control is my mentality. It’s on myself. So, I started to look and see the positive things. … And trust me, it was difficult because life was very sad that day, but I started to say, ‘OK, I need to say that I’m lucky. I’m lucky that I’m alive. I’m lucky that I survived this massive massacre on Oct. 7. I’m lucky that I’m not alone in captivity, but I’m with two other hostages. I’m lucky that I’m not in tunnels and I’m in an apartment. I’m lucky that I’m a Jew. I’m lucky that I have my family that will fight for me.’”

Meir Jan said that while being held hostage, Hamas militants tortured him and the other hostages by carrying out mock executions and depriving them of sleep, showers and food. However, Meir Jan said that he kept tethered to the outside world by keeping a calendar of important family birthdays and counting down the days until a rescue he hoped would come.

Meir Jan was rescued, along with four other hostages, on June 8, 2024, in what became known as “Operation Arnon” after Chief Inspector Arnon Zmora—a commander of the rescue team, who was killed during the operation. Meir Jan was 21 years old at the time of his rescue.

“I remember that when the IDF soldiers came up to me and gave me the fist bump, the first thing that I told them was, ‘My mom has a birthday tomorrow, so let’s do it quickly,” he said.

Ladany said that he had no regrets from his experience in the military, and that Meir Jan’s lesson of manifestation has helped him in his own physical recovery, going from using a wheelchair to walking with crutches. The worst feeling he has from his attack, Ladany said, is the death of his dog.

During the event, BHHS students asked questions ranging from how Meir Jan spent his time in captivity to how he kept his faith to what his first meal was after his release.

“The only thing that you have in captivity —they take everything from you—you have just the faith, you just have the trust in God,” Meir Jan said in response to a question about experiencing his faith while in captivity. “A lot of nights I [went] to sleep without knowing if I will wake up in the morning. [I realized] that you need to hold the good things. You need to hold faith, what we have in life and God. When you are the lowest of the low, … you need to hold this, not to think about when it will be finished, when it will be over, when I will die, if I will survive, or if not. It’s a type of question that wastes your energy and your morale. I started to say, ‘OK, I have God, and I trust him.’”

Another student asked Ladany if he had any regrets from his time fighting in the war.

“No regrets, nothing—I don’t think twice,” he said. “The only thing that really upsets me and gets to me is that they shot my dog. That’s the only thing that really got to me.”

While in captivity, Meir Jan said he spent most of his time playing cards, exercising, and writing letters and songs. He added that he also tried to placate his captors by telling jokes and learning Arabic.

The students were moved by the stories of Meir Jan and Ladany, applauding them and going up afterward to express their gratitude. One student asked how both of them were recovering from the experiences, both mentally and physically. In addition to seeing both physical and mental therapists, Meir Jan said that taking control of his life has been the most powerful tool of recovery.

“The best recovery is to take responsibility for your life and to take choice. Eight months without taking one choice and the first thing that you want is independence,” Meir Jan said. “To come, and to educate and to share the story that you have, the testimony that you have, this is also a good tool for recovery. And there [are] a lot of kinds of recovery, … It takes time. It’s a process. It’s a big, big, long process.”

Meir Jan also shared what food he craved most once he was finally free.

“The doctors tried to give me some meatballs and rice,” he said. “I told them, ‘I don’t want this [expletive]. I want a pita shawarma.” 

The post Former Israeli Hostage and Soldier Give Guest Lecture at BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The board unanimously approved a proposal to provide a comprehensive architectural design of the new KBEV studio from PBWS Architects in the amount of $57,270. The board approved a partial demolition of the studio in August and completed a conceptual design for the new renovated studio. The firm will now conduct a scoping phase to determine code-required improvements, validate stakeholder criteria and establish a project budget. The proposal will include acoustical testing, evaluating the feasibility of the conceptual plan and reviewing existing equipment.

KBEV is BHUSD’s media program that broadcasts news and community programming and provides educational opportunities in broadcasting and filmmaking. Filmmaker and author Kyle Newman recently began his tenure as the district’s new KBEV Director.

BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss noted that the cost of the proposal was lower than other offers and will be offset by construction firm Fonder-Salari providing extra services.

Board President Rachelle Marcus commended the renovation plans.

“I agree with [Board Member Russell] Stuart that this has been a long time coming. I know that our students have been in limbo while working with KBEV. They’ve been doing a great job under the circumstances,” she said. “The only thing that bothers me is that this is still a long way away before it will be finished.”

The board also decided to table a separate measure related to the use of AI in district schools. The policy supported the safe and ethical use of AI by students and staff to aid with education and stressed that it be implemented “as a tool to augment and support, rather than replace, staff in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.”

Board Member Amanda Stern said she brought up the item to build on the “Maintaining Safe Digital Citizenry” policy that was passed in 2024 in the wake of the expulsion of five Beverly Vista Middle School students for using AI to create “deepfake” photos of their classmates. 

“It is my hope that within the next year or five years that we develop a robust AI task force or committee because there are a lot of amazing things that AI can do, but it must exist parallel to guardrails that make sense and protect our learners,” Stern said.

Stern also said that an AI policy can support students checking their work with AI and using it for research, rather than completely producing assignments.

Stuart said the policy fell short in helping students implement AI to bolster their learning.

“Right now, this policy is safe and neutral, but it does not set any clear goals for student learning, for teacher support and real innovation,” he said. “It reads like a document that protects the system, not one that leads change. Yes, we need ethical guardrails, but we also need a plan for how AI can help students learn faster, learn deeper and learn in ways that match how the world works now.”

Board Member Judy Manouchehri also expressed that the proposal did not go far enough in preparing students to effectively use AI for future jobs. Board Member Sigalie Sabag advocated to remove any language that involved disciplining students who use AI on assignments.

“[Students] are going to use AI once you send [assignments] home with them,” Sabag said. “If you don’t want them to use AI, have them do it in the classroom, have them write it out.”

However, Assistant Superintendent Dustin Seeman emphasized the need for an AI policy that prohibits direct copying just as students cannot copy from Google or a published book without properly citing the information. Cherniss agreed that the proposal needed revisions before voting and said the Board will revisit implementing an AI task force for the district.

“I would love to have an AI academy, or an AI program and I want Beverly Hills to be at the forefront of AI in public education,” he said.

Marcus said that the Board will bring back an improved policy on AI before voting.

“I see this as something of a steppingstone that we can improve upon,” Marcus said. “We do have cheating policies in the district, and so on. It’s not about the cheating policy. It’s about making this so that our kids are using it, so they know how to use it to improve, to citate and assist themselves in doing something.” 

The post BHUSD Approves Studio Proposal and Tables AI Policy appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

KBEV, Beverly Hills Unified School District’s award-winning media program, is a Career Technical Education class at Beverly Hills High School that gives students the opportunity of hands-on media production at every level—including cinematography, script writing and broadcasting. Founded in 1969, KBEV produces news segments on student life and community happenings and is the longest-running weekly student newscast in the world, according to BHUSD. Newman, a best-selling author and film director whose credits include “Fanboys,” “Barely Lethal” and “1Up,” as well as content for Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and Hasbro Studios, brings his unique experience to the role after longtime KBEV executive producer Romeo Carey retired from the district.

In taking the role, Newman said he hopes to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and give students their introduction to the industry in the same way he was while growing up in New Jersey with no tangible gateway to the film industry.

“I feel really strongly about education and also passing the baton and helping mentor a younger generation,” he said. “This is a great coalescing of everything I love—it’s filmmaking and it’s storytelling, but at the same time, I’m learning from the students as much as I’m teaching them.”

Newman said his biggest hope is that students take away applicable life lessons from their work at KBEV and use the skills they learn in any field they choose.

“You may only be doing this as an elective, but you will leave the class with skills that are going to be applicable in all aspects of life,” he said. “Whether it’s how to present an idea or how to speak to yourself or showcase yourself, how to thrive in an interview setting, how to research an idea from scratch and bring it to life. Just writing—how to present an idea in a thesis or any paper you’re working on—what’s the story? What’s the hook? What’s the midpoint? What are the twists, and what’s your ending? You have to think of things in this way.”

KBEV is developing a new programming app for BHUSD’s broadcast platforms, which will include both student-produced content and district features, soon to be available on streaming platforms including Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku.

“We want to open it up so if you’ve got grandparents in New York or a cousin in Ohio that wants to watch you in the football game, these people now can have access to it,” he said. “We’re trying to broaden the reach of what students here in the KBEV program can do, and within that, beyond just covering sports and things like that, we would love to get short films, encourage kids to be making stuff that’s related off campus, not just what’s happening on campus. So it has a broader appeal too, and I think it’s going to be hugely instrumental in having more eyeballs on people’s content, and films, and creations, they’re going to be encouraged to make more.”

Living in a world with so much visual content, Newman said he hopes to give students a more technical understanding of what they watch on a daily basis and how to use the same techniques to impact an audience.

“We watch so much content as people,” he said. “Everybody already knows they speak a certain language subconsciously. But they might not know the terms, the vernacular, the way you would do it and the way you would analyze it. So, I’m giving them those analytical tools and those technical tools, so they can then understand what is already going on in their head, what they’re already watching. You go, ‘Oh my God, that’s what that’s called when this happens, or that’s what that technique is called. I know that because I’ve seen it in 100 different TV shows, but now I know what it’s called, and I understand why they’re doing it.’ I think that’s what’s important. It’s activating the subconscious that they already have.”

He is already seeing tangible results with students coming up to him after class after being newly inspired by conducting an interview or realizing the impact of a filmmaking technique, Newman said. He has also encouraged students to take on more individualized documentary-style projects beyond the classroom, hoping to challenge students to go beyond their comfort level.

“[The students] have really been challenged—we brainstormed a lot about what are good subjects, beyond not just what’s easy, not just what you have access to, but what are you interested in?” he said. “Talk to the shop owner. Talk about their business, how they got into their business. It starts from safe and easy to ‘Wow. This is exciting. I’ll push myself a little further.’”

Beyond hands-on practice, Newman said he plans to bring former colleagues into the classroom to give guest lectures for students and also hopes to eventually give students opportunities and internships on the sets where he works.

Student engagement and success under Newman has already been evident, said BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss.

“The success of the KBEV program is a shining example of what happens when student creativity meets professional mentorship,” Cherniss said. “Under Kyle Newman’s leadership, our students are not only learning media, they’re mastering it.”

In taking on his new position, Newman, who studied film at New York University, said he hopes to inspire students in the same way his previous professors did for him. One in particular was Arnold Baskin, who taught film for 40 years before his passing in 2019.

“Baskin was a very encouraging, hands-on professor, but he also gave kids a lot of room to go, create [and] a lot of leeway,” Newman said. “When you have big classes of students, everyone needs the highway to express themselves to travel. And that, I think, is very important. Rather than saying, ‘Everyone do this on this subject,’ let’s get a little more broad. Let’s say ‘These are some parameters, and how do you want to bring it to life? How do you want to tell the story?’ You can take the same footage and cut it 50 different ways. Each person could turn into 50 different projects. And that’s what I’m trying to show them. There’s no one way.” 

The post Kyle Newman Launches KBEV Into the Future appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Coming off a 13-15 campaign in the 2024-2025 season and a loss in the opening round of the California Interscholastic Federation Division 2A championship, Beverly is looking to bounce back under the leadership of Verdi. Prior to becoming head coach, Verdi served as the junior varsity coach for the last 16 seasons and also graduated from BHHS in 1999. Verdi takes over the program from Jarvis Turner, who served as head basketball coach for 15 years.

“I’m excited to get to work with these young men every day. Being a part of this program for the last 16 seasons, now as varsity head coach, means a lot to me personally,” Verdi said. “My biggest focus is culture, how we train, how we treat each other, how we carry ourselves. I want us to compete with effort and discipline, but also grow as teammates and people. We’re going to build something that lasts by focusing on the details and doing things the right way.”

The Normans will be led by captains Sasha Emrani and Max Simantob, seniors who play guard and forward, respectively. Verdi said the number of boys who try out for the program—which fields a varsity, junior varsity and freshman/sophomore team—is one of the strengths of the program.

“This program carries a legacy,” he said. “There’s pride in being part of something with history, and that motivates our players to rise to the moment. We had over 50 boys come out this year, which shows how much it means to be part of this team. That kind of energy is something we don’t take for granted.”

While coming off a solid season, Verdi said he hopes the team will take the next step this year.

“The focus is on improving communication, staying mentally sharp in key moments and developing stronger team chemistry,” he said. “We want to be more consistent, and that comes from trusting the process and doing the little things every day.”

Beyond working together as a team, Verdi is trusting his seniors to lead by example.

“I’m looking at our seniors to lead, not just in points or stats, but in how they show up for practice, how they support younger guys, and how they carry the standard. Leadership is about consistency and being dependable. That’s what I expect from them,” he added.

Athletic Director Steve Lawson said he believes that Verdi is the right person for the job at this moment.

“I’m excited that we have someone who truly understands what it means to be a Norman,” Lawson said. “Adam Verdi grew up in this program, he played here, coached here and he knows our students. He brings heart, consistency and a real love for the school. I think he’s the right person to build something meaningful with relationships and culture. My hope is that the program becomes a place where student-athletes thrive on the court and in their lives beyond high school.”

The basketball season is an opportunity for the school and the community together and the boys will need that support throughout the year, Lawson added.

“I want to encourage everyone, parents, students, alumni, neighbors, to come out and support our Normans,” he said. “When our athletes feel the energy of the community behind them, they rise to the occasion. It’s not just a game, it’s a moment we share.”

The boys will also be featured in new Nike gear after BHUSD approved a five-year agreement with that will provide the district with Nike-branded apparel at a discounted price.

“When our students walk into a gym or onto a field, how they carry themselves matters,” Lawson said. “Looking the part builds confidence. It shows that we take pride in who we are and what we represent. This partnership helps us reflect the excellence we expect from our students. It unites our programs, elevates our presence and reminds every athlete that they belong to something bigger. We are here to compete at the highest level, and we should look like it.”

One game that will rally both the school and the community is the annual rivalry game against Santa Monica High School.

“That game carries weight. There’s history and emotion in a matchup like that,” Verdi said. “As a player, those games meant everything. Now, as a coach, I see it as a chance to measure our toughness and composure. A win would mean more than just a score, it would show that we’re building something strong together.”

But more than growing together as a team, Verdi said he hopes his players will take away lessons they can apply to their lives outside of basketball from playing together.

“I want these guys to learn how to show up, even when it’s hard. I want them to understand what it means to be dependable, to communicate, to support one another,” he said. “Those lessons go way beyond basketball. Whether they win a championship or not, they’ll remember how it felt to be part of a team that held them to a higher standard.”

Beverly Hills will kick off the 2025-26 season with a Nov. 18 home game against Blair High School. 

The post Beverly Hills Basketball Returns with a New Coach and a New Look appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The discovery began when crews noticed glass embedded beneath the soil near the flagpole. After a careful excavation, a mason jar was revealed. Inside the jar was an original 1939 edition of Beverly Highlights, the student-run BHHS newspaper, and a typed dedication letter, each documenting the meaning and significance of the Knights Bench. 

The newspaper article noted: “Also new item to the Knights organization and a surprise to many was the new Knights Bench forming a semi-circle about the flagpole. This bench was kindly donated to the organization by Mr. W. S. McGilvray, father of Morgan McGilvray, one of the members.”

The dedication letter read, “In appreciation of the ideals of the Knights and for the furthering of their purposes in creating a standard of achievement among the Student Body, this bench has been given to the Knights by Mr. W. S. McGilvray in the month of June, 1939. It is being dedicated on this day, June 14, 1939, in the presence of the present Knight membership, under the supervision of the faculty sponsors, and before the assembled Student Body.”

Further research led to the 1939 BHHS Watchtower yearbook, which described the Knights as a highly selective student organization. According to the yearbook, “It is the goal of every high school boy to become a Knight, because membership means that he has achieved the highest honor in the school, that he has been chosen for dependability, for outstanding sportsmanship, for service, for scholastic attainments, and for citizenship throughout his school career.” 

Over many decades of lawn growth, renovations, and resurfacing, the stone gradually became covered, and the mason jar remained sealed and unseen until now. “This discovery reminds us that Beverly Hills High School is more than a campus. It is a story carried forward by each generation,” said Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. 

The mason jar, newspaper, and letter are being preserved, not restored or altered, to maintain their original character. The Knights Bench stone will also be preserved and displayed as part of the restored Grand Lawn.

To continue this legacy, BHHS ASB students will begin to create a new 2025 time capsule, to be placed beneath the completed Grand Lawn for future Normans to uncover.  

The post Time Capsule from 1939 Discovered at BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

In his remarks welcoming Gates, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss said that the two men have known each other for 10 years, beginning when Cherniss, then the superintendent of the San Marino Unified School District, hired Gates to serve as the principal of San Marino High School. Under Gates’  leadership, the school became the number one academically achieving high school in California for three consecutive years. 

Gates’ tenure at PYLUSD also overlapped with that of Cherniss, who served as superintendent of PYLUSD beginning in May 2023. Gates was brought on to PYLUSD in June 2023. 

“There are so many accomplishments I could speak to, but what I would say [he does] best is his connections with people,” Cherniss said. “We are hiring him for Human Resources … he’s taught just about every grade there is, but he also connects well with students, and he connects well with teachers.” 

In a statement, Gates said that he is “honored” by his new role. 

“This is a community that deeply values excellence, possibility, and connection,” he said. “I look forward to supporting our extraordinary staff and ensuring that BHUSD continues to be a place where every student is known, challenged, and supported.”

There were some tense moments during the approval process for Gates at the Nov. 4 BHUSD board meeting.

Board Member Amanda Stern said she would abstain from voting on the agenda item that included Gates’ appointment because “The announcement of [Gates’] appointment … was unusually obscured and difficult to find in this agenda.” 

His appointment was included in an attachment to an agenda item on the consent calendar, which typically includes items that are approved collectively rather than discussed individually.  

“My choice to abstain has little to do with the individual in question and more to do with what felt like a bungled hiring process that lacked the usual transparency and due diligence that is required for such a high-level hire,” Stern said. 

Cherniss replied that the approval arrangement was valid. 

“This is the proper format to approve all personnel that are not under contract … and I did confirm that today with counsel,” he said.  

The board voted 4-0 to approve the certified personnel report, which included Gates’  appointment. Stern abstained from voting. 

“This agenda item absolutely was not where it was supposed to be,” Stern said. “It was obscured in a very unusual place. When something feels strange, it usually is.”  

The post New Executive Director of Personnel Services at BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The decision came following a complaint filed with the district in December 2024 by Victoria Tate, the parent of a student who attended BVMS. The complaint described an incident in November 2024 during which, among other things, a racial slur was used in a classroom followed by a student pointing at a group of Black students, including Tate’s child. 

BHUSD initiated an investigation and concluded that the incident violated the district’s student conduct code. It took disciplinary measures against the perpetrators. It did not, however, agree that Tate’s child was “bullied, harassed and/or discriminated against on the basis of race.”

In response, Tate filed an appeal with the CDE. 

In the Oct. 23 ruling, the CDE held that the incident was, in fact, “sufficiently severe to intimidate and create a sense of lack of safety for a reasonable Black student.” As such, it constituted a violation of the California Education Code and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. 

The CDE went on to state that the district’s response to the incident was inadequate.

“[T]he district did not specifically tie its response to the inappropriateness and unacceptability of targeting black students with racially charged references to the n word in their classroom, regardless of their prevalence or use in popular culture, entertainment, or the media,” the ruling states. 

The CDE additionally assigned corrective action to the district, requiring a one-hour training at BVMS for administrators and staff about responding to allegations of peer-to-peer harassment and race-based bullying. The department included a requirement of proof of the training, including the date, attendees, content and provider information. 

Tate brought the CDE’s ruling to the attention of the community during public comment at the BHUSD Nov. 4 board meeting.  

The post State Finds Race-Based Bullying at BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The policy stems from a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, which held that not providing guardians with those options constituted a violation of their religious freedoms under the First Amendment. 

The policy considered by BHUSD board members was drafted by the California School Boards Association (CSBA). 

Mahmoud v. Taylor involved an elementary school curriculum in Montgomery County in Maryland from 2022 that included several books with references to LGBTQ children or adults. Following a lawsuit brought by parents, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of providing notification and an opt-out policy if and when those books were read and discussed. 

On Oct. 28, the BHUSD board was presented with CSBA’s draft policy. Despite being instigated by Mahmoud v. Taylor, the policy prepared by CSBA did not reference LGBTQ. books or single out elementary schools. Rather, the proposed language offered broad regulations prohibiting district employees from interfering with students’ religious beliefs or engaging in “religious indoctrination.”  

The draft reads, in part, “Teachers and other district staff shall be highly sensitive to their obligation not to interfere with the religious development of any student in whatever tradition the student embraces, and treat all religions and religious convictions, including nonbelief, with fairness and respect.” 

The draft also requires that parents and guardians be notified and have the option to opt out of instruction “based on their religious beliefs,” and that students who are opted out must be offered an alternate educational activity. 

Many members of the board found the language offered by CSBA too vague. 

“It is supposed to be for sincerely held religious beliefs, which is not an issue, but if you look at different experiences in schools, unless we are very clear, there could be a lot of reasons for [opting out] … it’s a much broader and philosophical conversation,” said Board Member Amanda Stern.

Board Member Russell Stuart agreed. 

“What [was] passed was fairly specific, and then this is incredibly broad,” he said. “Now, you kind of open up these floodgates to cherry-pick anything that might cross your religious understanding … my understanding when this rule came down from the federal government was [that it was] very specific on a topic.” 

BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss requested that board members come up with wording that more accurately reflects the intent of the policy. 

“We’re hearing ‘no specifics,'” he said. “If the board, between now and the next meeting, wants to provide us with specific language, please do that and we’ll bring it back for second reading.” 

In other business, the board narrowly approved a resolution recognizing ten nationally observed Heritage and Pride Months throughout the year. The months celebrate various racial, ethnic and other historically marginalized groups. 

During discussion, Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri and Board Member Sigalie Sabag voiced their opposition to the resolution. 

“I’m just concerned that by acknowledging some [groups] and not others, which is what this does, that we’re creating another issue of disparity, because European American Heritage Months are not on here, other Heritage Months that could potentially be created are not on here,” said Manouchehri, adding that the “ship has possibly sailed on a resolution like this.”

Sabag added that the board should be “concentrat[ing] on the education.” 

“I think this is very polarizing, and I think the way it’s written is not going to be positive,” she said. 

The board voted 3-2 to pass the resolution, with Manouchehri and Sabag voting no. 

Additionally, the board heard and made comments on the district’s 2025-26 strategic plan. 

The plan, presented by Cherniss and Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Dustin Seemann, included six overarching goals: improving student achievement, improving the quality of instruction, increasing student engagement in extracurricular activities, facilities completion, ensuring fiscal responsibility and a continued emphasis on safety and security. 

Regarding student achievement, quality of instruction and student engagement in extracurriculars, the district plans to use measures such as tutoring, a new math curriculum, a district-wide writing workshop program and academic interventions when necessary to achieve its goals. 

Board members brought up various concerns regarding these goals. Stern noted that Horace Mann Elementary’s test scores were below those of El Rodeo Elementary School. 

“I really would love to know what can be done to support Horace Mann perhaps more comprehensively, given that difference,” she said. 

Board President Rachelle Marcus expressed a desire for students to do more reading on their own time. 

“In English, in the middle school and the elementary school … getting kids to read books just to read books, to improve their skills of understanding in reading—I don’t think I see enough of that,” she said. “They are required to read the book in class, they read the book in class. What about the reading outside of class, and the strength and the rigor that that will provide? And book reports? … I really feel that’s something we are missing.” 

The scheduled vote on the strategic plan was tabled to give administrators time to incorporate board comments and concerns.   

The post BHUSD Board Considers Opt-Out Policy for Religious Beliefs appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

This prestigious recognition places the two among the top high school scholars nationwide, representing less than one percent of all graduating seniors across the country. Both students were honored at last month’s BHUSD Board of Education meeting, where they received official certificates of recognition from district leaders and their principal.

Both students began their educational journey at Horace Mann Elementary, continued through Beverly Vista Middle School, and then on the BHHS. 

“We are incredibly proud of Ezra and Xander for earning this national distinction,” said Dr. Dustin Seemann, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services. “Their hard work, intellectual curiosity, and perseverance represent the very best of BHUSD students.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program honors students who demonstrate exceptional academic promise through outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT exam. Semi-Finalists now move forward in the competition for National Merit Finalist standing and the opportunity to earn scholarships sponsored by colleges, corporations, and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.  

The post Two BHHS Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Many parents and members of the community have expressed concern about how demolition, excavation and building will affect the school and surrounding areas. 

Following a presentation from the One Beverly Hills representatives, questions from members of the board and Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss focused on dirt and dust exposure from construction, as well as the impacts of noise and privacy. 

Addressing one of the primary concerns of parents—that potentially harmful dust and dirt was being generated and making its way to the school—Lauren Eckhart Smith, the senior vice president of development with One Beverly Hills developer Cain International, said that the demolition phase of construction is complete. 

“Our demolition activities, which I think have generated most of the concern … is complete,” she said. “There were two buildings … that were part of the Beverly Hilton that have been demolished as part of the development to make way for the botanical gardens.”

Samson Debela, the senior project manager with Turner Construction, the company overseeing building work, said that to mitigate and monitor the impact of dust and dirt, the developer has set up a monitor at El Rodeo that takes data about air quality at five-minute intervals. If dust and dirt surpass a designated threshold, a representative is notified through a phone app, and a phone call is placed to the principal of the school and the city.  

Data is collected in real time. 

To date, the air quality has not triggered the alarm. In the case of the alarm going off, Debela said, work would stop, and in addition to the school being notified, an investigation would be undertaken. 

No hazardous materials are present in the buildings being demolished, Debela added, and if they had been, they would have been removed prior to demolition. 

Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri requested that the developer contribute to “very tall trees” being placed at the exterior of the school, and to monthly air filter replacements. 

Smith called the trees “a great suggestion” and committed to exploring the idea. Debela added that a 16’8″ sound wall will be erected within the next couple of weeks to mitigate noise.

Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern noted the city’s recent commitment of over $500 million in bonds to help finance the development.

“We really do expect that safety and comfort of the staff, the teachers, the kids absolutely is ensured,” she said. “That is a great amount of money that has been given … many residents and those who are parents and teachers and staff are well aware of the $550 million Mello-Roos indebtedness, and I hope and trust you guys will continue to take care of our kids and the staff who are inadvertently right there.”

Cherniss said that he still has apprehension about the project. 

“For the next three years, I’m concerned not just about the kids we have, but potentially about families turning away from enrolling in our schools because there is this big project here … I’m not convinced this is a positive for El Rodeo or our school district yet, and I hope it is,” he said. 

In other business, residents expressed during the public comment period concerns about how cuts to federal special education funding may impact the district, and again asked the board to adopt a resolution combating racism against Black and Hispanic individuals. 

Kimberly Lifschitz, whose child is a student with special needs, asked the board to take action to keep services intact. 

“I am once again reaching out to this board to beg it to do its job … these programs are actually, genuinely life changing for students and families, even if they don’t come with Nike-branded spirit packs,” she said. 

District parent Teairra Harris requested during public comment that the board adopt a resolution proposed by members of the community to combat anti-Black and anti-Hispanic prejudice. 

Harris, whose daughter recently entered BHUSD as a freshman, said her daughter witnessed several boys laughing and joking about the murder of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, in a classroom last week on or around what would have been Floyd’s birthday. 

“She was uncomfortable, it created tension, she was very tense, and she was also angry and confused about how someone could find murder, let alone police brutality, comical,” said Harris, adding, “To have [a resolution] like this passed would be a godsend.”  

The post One Beverly Hills Addresses Concerns About El Rodeo Elementary School appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“Our football team continues to show up for this school with dedication and pride,” said BHHS Principal Loan Sriruksa. “Homecoming gave us the chance to recognize their commitment, especially our seniors, who lead with integrity and represent what it means to be part of BHHS Athletics.”

The event also served as an opportunity to acknowledge the city of Beverly Hills for its continued support of BHUSD schools. The presence of School Resource Officers at every home game, the Beverly Hills Fire Department’s onsite support, and the engagement of city leaders all contributed to a meaningful event. Additionally, the BHHS mascot was projected onto the Beverly Hills City Hall as a special salute to the school that evening. 

Attendees included Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, Board of Education Members Rachelle Marcus, Judy Manouchehri and Russell Stuart, as well as City Councilmember Mary Wells, who previously served on the BHUSD Board of Education.

“This night was about our students,” said Dr. Cherniss. “It was about showing them that they are supported, seen, and celebrated by an entire city that believes in them. That’s the heart of our community and the promise of Educational Excellence.”  

The post Beverly High Homecoming a Great Success appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The new field provides BVMS with a regulation-sized athletic facility where students can train and compete. The upgraded space includes new turf, modern safety features, and an improved layout designed for performance and play.

“This field is a shining example of what happens when a community comes together to support its schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. “The students of BVMS now have a space that reflects the strength of their school spirit and the district’s commitment to excellence.” 

The post Beverly Vista Middle School Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for New Athletic Field appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The item, brought for discussion by Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart, included potentially increasing the height of a fence being built at the school from eight feet to 20 feet.  

“If we look at Beverly Vista Middle School, and we see the soccer field, the fence, I believe, is 20 feet … I think that would be very secure,” Sabag said.

Currently, the fence is planned to be eight feet tall and is slated for completion in December. The project is already designed and under contract. According to Amin Salari, the chief Operating Officer/Executive Vice President of Operations at Fonder-Salari, Inc., which is doing the construction, increasing the height of the fence would take an additional four months and cost an additional $2 million to $2.5 million. 

Salari explained that the primary challenge of increasing the height of the fence would be building a foundation. Since the fence will be crafted from wrought iron, night time soil excavation would be required, among other things. 

Suggesting that if the board is interested in adding height to the fence, it should be done after construction is completed on the existing plan, Salari noted that a lighter, taller structure could be placed behind the eight-foot fence. 

“I am sure we can add, if you want to have a fence, add something on the top behind the existing fence later, but let’s just move forward with this project, considering the time and cost impact, because we’d have to go back to the drawing board,” he said. 

In other news, during public comment at the Sept. 30 meeting, multiple parents and community members read proposed resolutions designed to combat anti-Black and anti-Hispanic prejudice which, they said, were submitted for inclusion on the board’s agenda but were not included. 

“We have made multiple requests for this board to address the racism and disparate treatment that Black and Latin children in this district face,” said parent Victoria González-Tate. “But protection and acknowledgment of Black and Latin is always coming in the hereafter … If you have no interest in the equal educational rights of Black and Brown students, then step out of the way for the parents, students, teachers and community members to do so.”

Both resolutions were based on the language of the board’s recently adopted resolution to combat antisemitism.

BHUSD parent Zola Mashariki read a proposed resolution that, she said, would combat “anti-Hispanic and anti-Latino prejudice through education, awareness, remembrance and support.” 

The resolution would include mandates that BHUSD recognize mid-September through mid-October as Hispanic Heritage History Month, commemorate Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, create spaces to celebrate the diversity within the Hispanic and Latino communities and adopt the United Nations (U.N.) International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, a landmark treaty definition that was adopted by the U.N. in 1965.  

“It is time to educate BHUSD staff and students and to reflect, remember and learn … I hope you will take this seriously and adopt it,” Mashariki said. 

Dr. Regulus Allen, also a BHUSD parent, read a proposed resolution to combat anti-Black bigotry and racial prejudice. 

The draft resolution included mandates that BHUSD recognize February as Black History Month, commemorate Juneteenth as a designated day of remembrance marked by such activities as assemblies and trips to the California African American Museum in Exposition Park and designate Feb. 1 as National Freedom Day. 

Speaking about the importance of such resolutions, González-Tate noted that “this board benefits off the backs of Hispanic culture by making its elementary schools dual immersion in an effort to pull BHUSD out of the gutters they put themselves in.” 

The post BHUSD Board Considers Increased Security for BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“GSBH remains the only Catholic school in Beverly Hills and since 1930, has stood as a beacon of faith, learning, and community spirit—weathering the storms of history and emerging ever stronger. Through the turmoil of the Great Depression, the darkness of World War II, the founding of global institutions like the United Nations, the tense days of the Cold War, the digital revolution brought by the Internet, the heartbreak of 9/11, and countless other pivotal moments, our school has remained steadfast in its mission,” reads the school’s website.

Good Shepherd Catholic School started in 1930 by the Holy Cross Sisters, who were stewards of both the school and the parish, which celebrated its centennial in 2023. The church received a historical landmark designation the same year, which was facilitated by former Cultural Heritage Commissioner Kimberly Vinokur Reiss. 

“I think that the churches are a fundamental part of the history of our city,” said Reiss, on the school’s 95th anniversary. 

What allows Good Shepherd to continue for 95 years? “Faith as the foundation,” says Christine Redlin, the marketing and outreach specialist for the school.

“For nearly a century, our school has been the cornerstone of faith, learning, and community here in Beverly Hills … we celebrate our students and our families in a way that we highlight our faith, our learning and our existence in this wonderful community,” said Principal Lisa Widmann, who’s been with Good Shepherd for over 25 years. 

Widmann described the relationship between the city and the school as strong and something she is fortunate to have. She said they are “all part of this wonderful Beverly Hills family,” and that the city is very supportive of how they educate their students. Father Ed Benioff, pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd, spoke to the interfaith connections with other religious institutions and with members of the council who are Jewish, especially during residents’ heightened concerns about antisemitism and religious intolerance. He also mentioned the exchange of facilities between Sinai Temple in West Los Angeles and his strong relationship with Rabbi Erez Sherman. 

“We really appreciate the support of the city, because sometimes, church and state, we are a religious school. In my time here, in 10 years, I’ve received nothing but support and goodwill,” expressed Benioff. 

Beverly Hills City Council formally recognized Good Shepherd’s 95 years at its meeting on Sept. 30. 

“Congratulations on behalf of myself and my colleagues on the Beverly Hills City Council. We’re absolutely delighted, and we appreciate the number of years and dedication you have given to our most important citizens, our young people,” said Mayor Sharona Nazarian. 

Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who represents Beverly Hills, also weighed in on the school’s enduring legacy. “For nearly a century, Good Shepherd has been much more than a school—it is a cornerstone of Beverly Hills, embodying the spirit of faith, compassion, and commitment to service that defines our community. This incredible milestone is a testament to the dedication of its teachers, families, and alumni who have nurtured generations with love and excellence. I am excited to celebrate not only its rich history, but the enduring impact Good Shepherd continues to have on shaping compassionate leaders and uplifting our community.”

Both the church and the school have been attended by a variety of notable alumni, including California’s 37th Governor, Joseph Graham “Gray” Davis Jr., who served from 1999 to 2003.

“When my family moved to California, the first school I attended was Good Shepherd, and it was one of the best,” Davis told the Courier.  

The post Good Shepherd Catholic School Turns 95 appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The cease-and-desist, issued by attorney Daniel Lifschitz, who is a parent of a BHUSD student, alleges that in its recent activates during public meetings, the board has violated the Brown Act. 

The Brown Act governs public meetings and conversations about issues affecting the public among elected officials with the goal of ensuring transparency.

In its Oct. 1 response, the board, represented by attorney Joseph R. Sanchez of Best Best & Krieger, LLP, said that it “respectfully disagrees with [Lifschitz’s] characterization of the events in question and [Lifschitz’s] interpretation of applicable law” and that it “has not violated the Brown Act’s public comment requirements.” 

In his cease-and-desist letter, Lifschitz argued that the board violated the Public Comment Obligation (PCO) of the Brown Act by “substantially chang[ing]” agenda items after public comment had been closed. 

Lifschitz specifically identified recent discussions about standards-based instruction, a resolution to combat antisemitism and a mandate to display the Israeli flag at BHUSD facilities that was quickly reversed due to safety concerns. Noting that the PCO limits the board’s ability to act on agenda items without sufficient input from the public, he argued that the community has been “robb[ed] … of any opportunity to address what the board actually votes on.” 

Citing California Government Code Sections 54960 and 54960.2, Lifschitz invoked his right to take legal action to stop the board from violating the PCO going forward. 

In its response, the board argued that the Brown Act doesn’t require public comment to be reopened after agenda items are modified during board discussions, and that the items referenced by Lifschitz in his letter were sufficiently described in agendas as to allow the public to be adequately informed.

“Legislative bodies retain the fundamental right to deliberate, debate, and modify proposals during properly noticed meetings … agenda descriptions need not include every detail of potential action, provided the description reasonably informs the public of the subject matter under consideration,” the board’s response states. 

Replying to the board’s response in a statement to the Courier, Lifschitz addressed applicable case law, specifically Preven v. City of L.A., which was decided in 2019. The board in its letter said that “The Preven decision does not establish a general rule requiring renewed public comment whenever agenda items are modified during the same meeting.”

“The response from the board’s counsel is disappointing, as it both misapprehends the relevance of the Preven decision and effectively writes out the ‘substantially changed’ clause from Section 54954.3,” Lifschitz said in his comment to the Courier. “I will liaise with counsel on the matter to see if escalation can be avoided and take next steps as appropriate.”

Tensions have run high between the board and the public in recent years. In March, Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart were served with notifications of an intent to circulate recall petitions against them. Prior to that, members of the community flooded board meetings to protest decisions to place longtime Media Director Romeo Carey on administrative leave and to reassign El Rodeo Elementary School Principal Sarah Kaber and Vice Principal Kevin Painter, and following the resignation of former Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy.

In its response to the cease-and-desist letter, members of the board said that they would carry on with their conduct as it stands. 

“The board will continue to conduct its business in full compliance with the Brown Act,” the response reads, “while preserving its ability to engage in meaningful deliberation and consideration of the matters properly before it.” 

The post BHUSD Board Responds to Cease and Desist Letter appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Klotzle was nominated earlier this year by the principal of Beverly Hills High School and selected through the district’s annual process of recognizingrecognizing one outstanding educator to represent BHUSD at the county level. He was honored at LACOE’s Teachers of the Year Reception on Sept. 19 at the Universal Sheraton Hotel, joining a select group of educators celebrated for their extraordinary impact across Los Angeles County.

“Mr. Klotzle’s recognition reflects the incredible impact he has on our students, our staff, and our school culture,” said Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. “He is a visionary educator, an inspiring leader, and a true example of Educational Excellence in action.”

Each year, the LACOE Teachers of the Year program spotlights educators who exemplify instructional excellence, innovation, and leadership. 

Klotzle’s role at BHHS extends beyond the classroom, he leads both the instrumental and vocal music programs and serves as a campus PBIS Coach. His approach combines high expectations with mentorship and creativity, helping students grow both academically and personally.

The BHUSD Board of Education will formally recognize Mr. Klotzle at its meeting on Sept. 30.  

The post Justin Klotzle Named BHUSD’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Representative appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The lawsuit alleges “willful and deliberate indifference” on the part of BHUSD, former principal Sarah Kaber and Director of Student Services Benjamin Wardrop towards a “series of unfettered sexual assaults occurring at [El] Rodeo Elementary” that allegedly occurred between November 2024 and March 2025. 

According to the complaint, a student enrolled at El Rodeo touched multiple other students’ genitals on various occasions, both over their clothes and skin-to-skin, while making sexually suggestive gestures and comments. 

The lawsuit alleges that the same student also targeted classmates by self-exposure, forcing other students to participate in kissing and forcing other students to watch that kissing. The student perpetrating the assaults “repeatedly taunts and mocks” the targeted students in the wake of the assaults, the complaint states. 

All of the alleged incidents occurred on campus.

According to the lawsuit, BHUSD employees, including Kaber and Wardrop, were alerted to the incidents when they occurred. The complaint states that the parents of the targeted students were not immediately told whether an investigation took place and were later denied access to certain documentation regarding the incidents. 

BHUSD employees allegedly told the parents of the targeted students that the incidents had been recorded, and that staff has been “working with the parents of the other students all year and have included other staff members to support [the student and the student’s] family.” 

One of the children targeted by their classmate “has been unable to sleep with the lights off, sleep [alone] … has been withdrawn, and is discouraged from attending and participating” at school since the incidents, according to the complaint. 

The complaint states that the instigating student was given a chaperone, but that the chaperone “frequently fails to adequately supervise” the student. It additionally alleges that BHUSD employees told the parents that the incidents did not meet the criteria for Title IX violations. 

In response, attorneys for the family state in the suit that BHUSD and its employees were “negligent and careless [and] allowed the attacks and subsequent harassment to continue for months,” constituting intentional discrimination.

Christopher Frost, an attorney for the family who filed the complaint, called the lawsuit a “last resort” in a statement to the Courier. 

“Our clients’ lawsuit is a demand for El Rodeo School and the Beverly Hills Unified School District to finally take appropriate action and protect all children harmed from a hostile environment of sexual harassment, assault and bullying that denies our clients access to their education,” he said. “Since the first incident happened in November 2024, our clients have been met with deliberate avoidance, bureaucracy and inaction at every turn … We further understand that there are currently no measures in place to prevent similar incidents from happening to other children at El Rodeo School. The lawsuit is also a demand for accountability.”

BHUSD declined to comment on the litigation. 

The complaint comes after Kaber was reassigned from her role as principal to a classroom position in the spring with no explanation to the community. Parents and teachers flooded BHUSD Board meetings to express their displeasure over the action and their support for Kaber, who was named Elementary Principal of the Year for Region XIV by the Association of California School Administrators in February.

“We had 35, 40 members of our staff, almost every teacher at the board meeting … in support for [Kaber],” an El Rodeo employee told the Courier at the time.

Kaber has since left the district. In June, the Stephen Wise Temple and Schools announced that she had joined their organization as Senior Director of Education, the Aaron Milken Center, effective July 1. 

The post Family Sues BHUSD Over Alleged Sexual Assaults at El Rodeo Elementary appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Lifschitz, who is also a parent of a BHUSD student, alleges that the board violated the Public Comment Obligation (PCO) of the Brown Act, which curtails the ability of a board to act on agenda items during a meeting without allowing the public to address the board regarding the substance of those agenda items. 

“What could be more evasive than taking open comment on one version of a proposal, then creating and passing a substantially different version on the spot? There would be no end to the potential abuse,” said Lifschitz during public comment. 

The letter states that, “over the past few months, the board has repeatedly violated the PCO by taking public comment on agenda items at the start of meetings, only to then substantially change and pass those items within the space of the same meeting, robbing the public of any opportunity to address what the board actually votes on once its marathon redlining sessions conclude.” 

He accused the board of violating the PCO during discussion of the Standards-Based Instructional Environment resolution, antisemitism resolution and the flag ban resolution, all of which Lifschitz has spoken about at past meetings. The resolutions have drawn controversy from the BHUSD community. 

Lifschitz cited California Government Code Sections 54960 and 54960.2, which provide that any interested person may take legal action to stop or prevent the board from violating the PCO in the future and determine past actions of the board that violated the PCO. 

The only condition precedent to bringing such action is furnishing a cease-and-desist letter, affording the board a 30-day period to follow PCO guidelines, Lifschitz said. 

Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern have objected to these violations, but Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart and Board Vice President Judith Manouchehri have “embraced them with open arms,” Lifschitz said at the meeting. 

Marcus instructed Lifschitz to not mention names after he quoted Sabag from the July 16 regular meeting. Before the public comment portion of the meeting, Marcus said, “Personal attacks, inappropriate language and discussing specific employees or students are not permitted.” 

The school board  also received comprehensive updates about ongoing construction projects. 

Six tennis courts and a softball field at BHHS Upper Athletic Fields have been completed, with the remaining components of Retaining Wall #2 and Athletic Plaza set to finish by the end of the year. The new Konheim building, featuring a swimming pool and additional retaining walls, is steadily progressing with walls already constructed and completion targeted for December 2026. Most nighttime construction work for this building is complete, with only pool excavation remaining.

Construction mobilization for the BHHS Grand Lawn begins on Sept. 12, with the Northern Grand Lawn scheduled for completion by January 2026 and the full lawn by December 2026. Security system upgrades, including additional cameras, horns and vape detectors, will be finished this month. 

The board also approved the 2024-25 Unaudited Actuals. As required by state law, Executive Director of the Business Services Department at BHUSD delivered a report on the unaudited actuals, presented fiscal year-end data through June 30, comparing estimated versus unaudited actuals across revenue sources. Property tax revenue reached $70.5 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year, up from $68.2 million the previous year. Next steps include delivery of the First Interim Budget Report by Dec. 9, a financial audit for the 2024-25 fiscal year by Dec. 15 and finally, appropriate property tax revenue adjustments in the 2025-26 fiscal year.  

The post BHUSD Board Served with Cease-and-Desist Letter appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“At BHHS, we believe in living each day with intention, academically, socially, and emotionally,” she said. “Back to School Night allows us to strengthen the connections that make that possible and set the tone for a positive, productive year,” said BHHS Principal Loan Srisraka.   

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“When I got here, one of the things I noticed was that we had a lot of kids that weren’t at grade level … we’re going to close those achievement gaps,” he said, “and that’s going to be the primary focus this year.” 

Cherniss’ time at BHUSD began not as superintendent but as a math teacher at Beverly Vista Middle School. He then worked as an administrator in the district before leaving to serve as the superintendent at Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and, most recently, as superintendent at Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. 

Now, he’s bringing his robust experience to bear in Beverly Hills with an eye towards raising test scores and ensuring that the city’s students are where they need to be. 

According to state testing results, approximately 31% of Beverly Hills students in grades three through eight as well as grade 11 did not meet grade-level standards in English Language Arts in 2024, and approximately 42% fell below grade level in math.

The scores are a holdover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Cherniss said, when many children weren’t writing on a regular basis or receiving the same level of feedback from teachers as they normally would have. 

“All of these kids came back to school with these huge learning gaps, and that’s really impacted the academic achievement,” he said. 

To combat the setback, BHUSD will launch a new program, offering free after-school instruction by district teachers beginning in October. In these nine-week instructional sessions, kindergarten through middle school-aged students who are not performing at or above grade level will receive extra support. 

Teachers who facilitate the sessions will be compensated for their time. 

“This isn’t homework club, and it’s also not like hiring high school or college kids to tutor,” Cherniss said. “This is hiring our professionals to do real instruction.” 

Additionally, BHUSD is providing innovative training to new and veteran teachers. The district has adopted a new mathematics curriculum, Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), which Cherniss describes as “more rigorous.” 

“We’re raising the level of instruction and we’re giving support … and, so what does that do long term? It provides more kids [who are] college ready,” he said. “We start focusing early on getting them up to grade level and above, and then we’ll get more college-ready students by the time they graduate from high school.”

Speaking to the Courier in April, Cherniss said he hoped to increase revenue in the district in order to finance new projects. To that end, he said he may look to naming opportunities as new sports facilities complete construction or renting out Peters Auditorium. But more than that, he’s focused on eliminating spending where possible. 

“The easiest way to add to your bottom line on the revenue side is actually not revenue; it’s cutting expenses,” Cherniss said. “Since I got here, we’ve cut $1.3 million in district office management salaries and expenses … and that’s a lot of money that can be spent on kids.” 

Since stepping into his role, Cherniss has been tasked with leading a Board of Education that is at times at odds with one another. Most recently, the board was divided over a proposal to display the Israeli flag as part of Jewish American Heritage Month (see story on pg. 1). Cherniss stepped in and made the decision not to display the flag on BHUSD property. 

When asked about his thinking on that decision, Cherniss declined to comment, saying only that “my thinking was very much explained in my statement” released at the time of the incident. 

As to his strategy for leading a board that does not always see eye to eye, Cherniss said the board consists of “very strong personalities” who are outspoken in their beliefs. 

“My job is to continue to be, sort of, the middle of the wheel, and the board can be all those spokes around the wheel,” he said. “I make sure the wheel continues to move around and forward in the right direction.” 

In the years ahead, Cherniss said his focus is on long-term gains for the district and its students. 

“In order to change culture, it doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “We’re going to start doing a lot of small wins that will start to add up. I love being here, and I look forward to helping our district achieve success now and into the future.”  

The post BHUSD Superintendent Focuses on Academic Achievement in New School Year appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The unanimous vote, taken at a special board meeting on Aug. 29, came in response to Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss’ overturning of a board resolution adopted on Aug. 26, which stated that in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, all schools and facilities in the district “will display the flag of the State of Israel … throughout the month of May.” 

Cherniss overruled that resolution in less than 24 hours, stating that his decision was made with concern for “the safety and security of our students.”

Speaking at the special meeting on Aug. 29, Cherniss added that his decision was also based in part on “misinformation” about the district’s intent.

“This is a highly charged issue, to the point where we were receiving a lot of inappropriate feedback from people from all over, and so that’s how we got to where we are,” he said. 

The resulting Aug. 29 resolution, which purported to clarify the district’s stance on flying and displaying flags, states that the only flags that may be flown or displayed on district property, including in classrooms, are the United States of America flag, the California flag, the city of Beverly Hills flag and BHUSD or individual school flags. 

The resolution states that it does not restrict students and student activities, college or career activities or PTA events and programs, including multicultural celebrations. 

The board’s Aug. 26 resolution was presented as an initiative to combat antisemitism. In addition to the edict to display the Israeli flag during the month of May, the resolution recognizes May as Jewish American Heritage Month, memorializes events of the Holocaust and Oct. 7 and adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.

Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern voted against the Aug. 26 resolution because of the Israeli flag mandate. It passed in a 3-2 vote.

At the Aug. 29 special meeting, Stern spoke about the backlash generated by the order to display the Israeli flag during the month of May, stating that she received over 480 messages containing “highly negative, vulgar, antisemitic comments” in the course of the three days following the vote. 

“I don’t know if you guys anticipated the amount of undue stress and self-inflicted wounds this did to our standing as a district,” she said. “I’m embarrassed by the media. I am embarrassed that several law enforcement folks and leaders in the city expressed deep concern for the hate mail they got … so while I know you guys never wanted to occasion that, I feel that it was a wild miscalculation of what this would do.”

During public comment on Aug. 29, multiple members of the community brought up a concern that the board used fears about antisemitism to surreptitiously ban the display of the LGBTQ+ Pride flag. 

The concern stems in part from the board’s Aug. 26 discussion. At that meeting, Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri stated that she and Marcus considered whether excluding the display of the Israeli flag was in conflict with mandating the display of the Pride flag, and that both women wanted to broach the subject with the entire board.

Manouchehri was referencing a resolution passed in June 2021, in which the then-sitting board voted to display the Pride flag during the month of June. That board recognized June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month. 

“The only other resolution that we have is the one for the month of June … that included a flag,” Manouchehri said on Aug. 26. “One thing that [Marcus] and I discussed, we believed we had to be even-handed in our approach.”

Speaking during the public comment period, Beverly Hills resident Daniel Lifshitz suggested that the attempt to ban most flags was a means to ban the Pride flag. 

“Today’s measure is a chance to ban indirectly what the board’s right-leaning majority simply doesn’t have the guts or political capital to attempt banning directly,” he said. “There was no public appetite to do away with Pride flags, so you endangered our community with a forced controversy, to make bigoted lemonade out of lemons, to use your bumbling error as a collateral attack on the LGBTQ community.”

Stern and Manouchehri exchanged tense words during the Aug. 29 meeting. Following her comments about the fallout of the attempted Israeli flag mandate, Stern asked all board members about their stance on the Pride flag. 

“I do want to ask you all directly, do you personally, professionally, want to get rid of the Pride flag?” she said. 

Manouchehri was the only board member to reply to the question. She did not offer a direct answer as to her stance on the Pride flag in her response. Manouchehri instead expressed her general support for the LGBTQ+ community. 

“To suggest that our LGBQT [sic] community should think that we are out there for them and we are against them after the three years that I’ve been on the board and I’ve loved, and continue to love, every student and every community member that has ever approached me,” she said, “I am truly offended, and I ask you to stop right there.”  

In a written comment to the Courier, Stern expressed confidence that the board will be able to act in harmony in the future. 

“The unfortunate backlash to the passage of the resolution, which I believe was posed in good faith to combat unprecedented levels of antisemitism and to commemorate important days in May, ultimately had nothing to do with a very different resolution which takes place in June, coincidentally, when school is not in session,” she said. “Moving forward, I am optimistic that board members will find common ground so that students, families, staff and administrators can find meaningful ways to celebrate Pride Month in June.” 

The post BHUSD Reverses Course on Israeli Flag Display appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“In light of heightened safety concerns around the displaying of flags on our campuses I have made the decision to take immediate action for the safety and security of our students,” Cherniss wrote in a statement sent to the BHUSD community. “Until further notice, no flags will be displayed on our campuses other than the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the state of California.” 

Cherniss went on to note that the directive is in line with a board policy governing administrative discretion over board policy that states, in part, “when immediate action is necessary to avoid any risk to the safety or security of students, staff, or district property or to prevent disruption of school operations, the superintendent or designee shall have the authority to act on behalf of the district in a manner that is consistent with law and policies.”

The vote to display the Israeli flag was taken at the board’s Aug. 26 meeting. In a 3-2 vote, the board approved a resolution which states that the action would “signify support for the Jewish community.”

The resolution also includes language recognizing May as Jewish Heritage Month and emphasizing the importance of combating antisemitism. It memorializes the events of the Holocaust and Oct. 7, and states that the district will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.

Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern voted against the resolution, noting that they would support it if not for the included mandate to display the Israeli flag. 

Stern, who is Jewish, said the language mandating the flag display is in direct opposition to a recently passed policy addressing what the board referred to as partisan materials. 

“Just about two months ago, we spoke about how partisan materials—as an example, a Greek flag—would not be allowed,” she said. “We really need to look at that so there is not preferential treatment for one group over another.”

Stern added that she received emails from residents calling the resolution “wildly inappropriate,” “dangerous,” “a precarious step,” “treacherous” and a “self-inflected wound.”

Marcus, who is also Jewish, spoke about her personal experiences with antisemitism, and stated that her concerns regarding the display of the Israeli flag stemmed from questions of safety for those inside the building. 

“I would pass this resolution tonight, but … I fear for the safety of the students in the school,” Marcus said. “I don’t want to put something on the front of the school that will make us targets of any kind, especially with the students in our school.”

Board Member Russell Stuart, who voted for the resolution, argued that displaying the Israeli flag is not a comment on current international affairs. 

“The display of a flag during Jewish American Heritage Month is not a direct endorsement of the Israeli government,” he said. “It is not a direct endorsement of any geopolitical topic. It is a support for our Jewish students and the Jewish community.”

The resolution was last discussed at the board’s Aug. 5 meeting. Following that conversation, a subcommittee comprised of Marcus and board Vice President Judy Manouchehri convened to revise the resolution. 

During public comment, residents spoke for and against the resolution. City Council Vice President John Mirisch was among those who expressed his support. 

“Please pass tonight’s resolution and policy to honor Jewish American Heritage Month … this should be a no brainer for a school district that represents one of the only Jewish majority communities outside of Israel,” he said. “Education about Jewish history, including Yom HaShoah, Yom Ha’atzmaut and October 7 is critical in combating anti-Jewish racism and in allowing Jewish students to feel pride in their Jewish identity.”

Andrea Grossman, a graduate of BHUSD whose three children also attended school in the district, said that the Israeli flag does not belong on a public school. 

“I believe that the State of Israel has a right to exist; of course I do,” she said. “Israel, though, is not my country. I am a Jew, but Israel is not, nor will it ever be, my country … display the flag at a synagogue, such as the one flying at my synagogue here in Beverly Hills, or fly it at a private day school, but not at a public school facility.”

In other business, the board unanimously approved the expansion of the City Greens Community Farm program, which currently operates in the district’s high school and middle school, into the elementary schools as part of a two-year pilot program. 

The program utilizes hydroponic farming to teach STEM concepts as well as sustainability and health. 

The board additionally approved a contract with Integrated Demolition and Remediation, Inc. not to exceed $190,000 for demolition and hazardous materials abatement at Beverly Hills High School’s KBEV studio. The studio was found to have asbestos and lead containing materials, and work will begin immediately within the studio and in adjacent offices, work spaces and storage areas. 

Also at their Aug. 26 meeting, the board discussed the possibility of prohibiting teachers from tutoring students who are enrolled in their classes and significantly restricting teachers from tutoring other students in the district. Considering a possible amendment to an existing board policy, the board approved a first reading of the changes. 

Under the changes, teachers could tutor students who are outside the district, as long as “no district resources, facilities, or instructional materials are used, and provided further that such tutoring does not conflict with the employee’s duties or responsibilities to the district.” 

The board will consider the amendment again at its Sept. 9 meeting. 

The post BHUSD Reconsiders Israeli Flag Display On Campuses appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The complaint, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Aug. 7, stems from an accident that occurred when a carjacking suspect jumped a curb during the event, striking Stuart and several other people. Stuart was taken away in an ambulance and sustained serious injuries, including broken ribs and arms. 

Stuart is seeking damages including medical expenses, damaged and destroyed property and general damages, arguing in the complaint that the city “negligently, wantonly, recklessly … and unlawfully proximately caused injury and damages” by not providing sufficient pedestrian safety measures. 

In the lawsuit, Stuart alleges that the city had erected K-rails and other barriers near the location of the accident and could have used them as crowd safety measures closer to where the accident occurred. 

The suit states that barriers would have served to “protect pedestrians from the reasonable foreseeability of a vehicle jumping the curb, which is a well-known hazard (e.g., due to impaired drivers, distracted drivers, or accidents). These barriers could have been placed in the street at that location to alert drivers that the roadway was closed to through traffic, or on the edge of the sidewalk to protect pedestrians.”

In an email to the Courier, Stuart’s attorney Barry Novack noted that the complaint was filed “only after the city denied our claim for damages for the significant injuries sustained.” 

“The city failed to place available K-rails on the sidewalk in a position to protect against vehicles colliding with pedestrians,” Novack wrote, “thereby creating a foreseeable and preventable dangerous condition.” 

Beverly Hills City Attorney Larry Wiener expressed his condolences for the incident but stopped short of agreeing to Stuart’s demands. 

“We are very sorry about the accident that Mr. Stuart was involved in last November,” Wiener said in a statement to the Courier. “It was an unfortunate incident where a suspect involved in a nearby carjacking jumped the curb and struck Mr. Stuart with his vehicle. However, Mr. Stuart’s allegation that the city should have K-rail at every intersection to prevent this type of accident is unreasonable. The city will defend the case vigorously.”

The accident occurred in the evening of Nov. 14, 2024. Stuart was purchasing a balloon for his daughter on the street when, according to a statement he gave to the Courier at the time, he heard tires screeching, then woke up in an ambulance. 

He was released the following week and told the Courier at the time that he thanked “the good Lord, who not only protected me in that moment, but has shielded my soul.”

Stuart received an outpouring of support on social media following the accident. 

Stuart’s wife, Lisa, posted words of gratitude to the community.  

“I’m so grateful to the unbelievable number of people that have reached out to me,” she wrote. “The community of Beverly Hills; people don’t understand how tight knit it can be.” 

The driver of the vehicle that hit Stuart, 22-year-old James Portul of Pittsburgh, pled guilty shortly after the incident to charges of carjacking and hit-and-run with injury. Portul stole the car by force on the 400 block of North Bedford Drive, then drove it into a building on Wilshire Boulevard after hitting the victims. 

He fled on foot but was detained on the 200 block of North Beverly Drive.

Stuart was sworn in as a member of the BHUSD Board in December 2024.  

The post BHUSD Board Member Russell Stuart Sues City appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Key highlights of the redesign include:

•Unified District Calendar: A single location where all external school events are posted, making it easier than ever for the community to stay informed and engaged.

•BHHS Virtual Alumni Hall of Fame: In collaboration with the Beverly Hills High School Alumni Association, the new virtual Hall of Fame transforms the existing on-campus display into an accessible, interactive online experience. Visitors from anywhere in the world can explore and celebrate the achievements of distinguished BHHS alumni, keeping their legacy alive for generations to come.

•Unified Menu: One menu allows users to switch between school sites.

“Our schools deserve a digital presence that reflects the quality of education and opportunity we provide. This launch is a major step forward in making sure our communication tools match the exceptional work happening every day in BHUSD,” said Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss.

The redesigned websites are now live and can be explored at bhusd.org. Visitors are encouraged to share feedback through the online form available on each site. 

The post BHUSD Launches Redesigned District-Wide Website appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Continuing a valued tradition, BHUSD honored staff members for their years of dedicated service, recognizing those who have made a lasting difference in the lives of students. Honorees included those who have been with the district from between 10 and 40 years.

Additionally, the Apple Awards recognized staff members who went above and beyond during the 2024–25 school year. Recipients included:

• Beverly Hills High School: Ted Yoo, Roel Hinojosa

• Beverly Vista Middle School: Elizabeth Schultz, Vergine Aiazian

• El Rodeo Elementary School: Liat Canes

• Horace Mann Elementary School: Tiffany Graham

• District Office: Marilu De Arcos, Reiona Smith   

The post BHUSD Opening Day Launches New School Year appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Resolution #2025-2026-02, titled “Combating Antisemitism through Education Awareness, Remembrance, and Support,” stems from the board’s concern over antisemitism as a “real and rising threat in schools and society.” 

The resolution would have recognized May as Jewish Heritage Month by flying the Israeli flag at each BHUSD school, designate Oct. 7 as an annual Day of Remembrance, commemorate Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), and recognize Yom HaAtzmaut, the fifth day of Iyar in the Hebrew calendar. 

Tal Lavi, a self-proclaimed “proud Jew, proud American, and proud Israeli,” with three children in the school district, said the resolution would create a safe environment for Jewish students, citing that anti-Israel sentiment since Oct. 7 has given way to a rise in antisemitism.  

“I think that for many Jews, the Beverly Hills [Unified] School District is the choice to make sure that it’s a safe place for Jewish kids to be Jewish, to express their Judaism. This school district is what makes it that safe space. That’s the reason why we, and many other families, made a choice to be part of this district,” said Lavi. 

However, several Beverly Hills residents, including Jewish parents of BHUSD students, took issue with the resolution, particularly due to its language, potential First Amendment challenges, and what this means going forward for the student body.

By “completely eliminating any distinction between anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli sentiment,” Daniel Lifschitz, who is the son of an Israeli immigrant, said the resolution “seeks to destroy” decades of work done by Jewish people to combat the “dual loyalty trope.” This trope, Lifschitz stated, was posited by antisemites to “foster hatred and suspicion of Jews,” which pushes the notion that all Jews are required to be loyal to Israel, and therefore cannot be trusted to participate in American civic life. 

“[The resolution] also vaguely intones that there is some nebulous false version of Jewish history that will now be banned from discussion, zero specifics provided. It makes the shocking and unprecedented demand that we fly the flag of a foreign state and pledge unwavering support for that foreign state no matter what it does,” said Lifschitz, who is an attorney. “That is not merely illiberal and authoritarian but most likely illegal and an invitation for litigation.”  

Andrea Grossman, who attended El Rodeo Elementary School and Beverly Hills High School and whose three children attended BHUSD schools, said “Thank God” her children are no longer in the district. Grossman objected to the use of a Jewish calendar at a public school, adding that the resolution appears to violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Grossman said she read the resolution with “concern and dismay.” 

“Spoiler alert: Beverly Hills is a public school district in a diverse city with more than one religion, with more than one ethnic group, like it or not,” said Grossman. “Beverly Hills schools are not private schools. They’re not synagogues. Your resolution would be appropriate in a Jewish day school, in a private school, not funded by taxpayer dollars … It is my firm belief that this resolution will ignite rather than encourage antisemitism.” 

Following the critical public comments, Board Member Sigalie Sabag defended the antisemitism resolution as “not a symbolic gesture” but a commitment to “educating about Jewish history accurately” and “standing publicly against the growing darkness of antisemitism.” 

Both Board Members Russell Stuart and Amanda Stern emphasized the importance of the resolution, but agreed that its language needs to be revised. 

“We have an antisemitic problem… I think this is a great step forward to recognize that,” said Stuart. “I think that there’s a few words in here that we could revisit to make sure we are following every single step that’s possible.” 

“I understand that there are some real concerns that this very well-intended resolution does pose for me,” said Stern, mentioning challenges to the Establishment Clause. “We care very much about ending hatred and cruelty. And to that, I want to say that this resolution is coming from that place.” 

In light of the concerns over the wording of the resolution, Board Member Judy Manouchehri will form a subcommittee with Board President Rachelle Marcus to revisit and revise it for further consideration.  

The post BHUSD Discusses Antisemitism Resolution appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The new program will be rolled out at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year at Horace Mann and El Rodeo Elementary Schools.  

The idea for what will be called the Dual Language Academy (DLA) was brought to the BHUSD Board by Board Member Sigalie Sabag in May. The board supported the idea, and administrators, including Assistant Superintendent, Education Services Dr. Dustin Seemann, worked quickly to bring the idea to fruition. 

“What began as a vision I had for implementing a foreign language opportunity for our youngest learners has now become a transformative program that will benefit generations of BHUSD students,” Sabag said in a statement to the Courier. 

Over the summer, district personnel vetted curriculum and recruited teachers while simultaneously enrolling students to ensure there was enough interest to justify onboarding those new educators. 

According to Seemann, many families were eager to sign up. 

“We didn’t want to hire if there wasn’t a lot of interest, and so in June, we opened up registration for the program,” he said. “We were able to then recruit enough students … in total, we have over 80 students that are enrolled in the Dual Language Academy through this 25-26 school year.” 

The program will launch with one kindergarten class and two first grade classes at El Rodeo, and one kindergarten class and one first-grade class at Horace Mann. 

Students enrolled in the program will be taught the same state-approved curriculum as those in English-only classes. Those in the DLA will receive 90% of their core subject instruction in Spanish and 10% in English. 

“They’re not on a separate track from their grade,” Seemann said. “All kids in kinder [and first] are still held to the same state standards.”

The goal, said Seemann, is to grow the program through high school, adding dual language teachers as the cohort progresses. By the time they graduate, he said, “They’re going to be nearly fluent, if not completely fluent.” 

To train teachers and administrators, BHUSD has partnered with TNTP, a nonprofit whose educational consultants help districts launch programs such as the DLA. 

BHUSD has also hired several educators with backgrounds in dual language programs. Adrienne Kim, a new assistant principal at Horace Mann, coordinated Mandarin and Spanish dual immersion programs in the Montebello Unified School District. 

“It’s been really exciting for all of us to grow,” said Seemann. “Every day, I continually am learning and seeing new things. And our team’s really strong.”

BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss said in a statement to the Courier that the DLA is emblematic of the district’s potential. 

“This moment represents the very best of BHUSD,” he said. “The Dual Language Academy is a shining example of what is possible when vision meets action. Thanks to the incredible work of our teachers, our Board of Education, and our district leadership, we are creating opportunities that will last a lifetime for our students.”

Members of the current Board of Education have repeatedly stated their desire for BHUSD schools to be recognized by the National Blue-Ribbon Schools Program, which identifies schools across the country that have achieved overall academic excellence. 

Sabag believes the DLA is a step toward that goal. 

“As we work toward the National Blue-Ribbon recognition, we’ve focused on the key elements that define exceptional schools; early language access is one of them,” she said in her statement. “The Dual Language Academy is not only aligned with that vision, it’s a powerful example of what we can accomplish when we lead with purpose and put students first.”

Seemann said the idea of a dual language immersion program had been discussed by the district in the past, but it never gained traction. He noted that the current moment lent itself to the creation of the program, as Cherniss has launched similar programming elsewhere, and board members were in support of the effort. 

“It was the perfect timing,” Seemann said. 

Parents who are interested in enrolling their children should contact the district. As of press time, spots are available in some classes; however others are full. 

The post BHUSD Launches Spanish Dual Language Academy in Elementary Schools appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“Our commitment to educational excellence begins long before the first day of school,” said Cherniss. “We use this time to come together as a leadership team to align our vision, sharpen our goals, and prepare to support every student, every day.”

The retreat included sessions on academic planning, instructional leadership, and operational readiness, ensuring that every school is set up for success this fall.

“Although school’s out, our leadership team is all in,” said Cherniss. “We are energized, united, and ready to make this year one of the best yet.” 

The post BHUSD Holds Leadership Retreat at Hawthorne Campus appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

As part of the settlement, UCLA will contribute a total of $2.33 million to eight organizations that combat antisemitism and support the UCLA Jewish community, including Hillel at UCLA, Jewish Federation Los Angeles – Campus Impact Network, and Chabad of UCLA; $320,000 to UCLA’s Initiative to Combat Antisemitism; $50,000 payments to each of the four plaintiffs; and $3.6 million for attorneys’ fees and costs. Additionally, UCLA agreed to a permanent court order to prohibit knowingly allowing or facilitating the exclusion of Jewish students from on-campus areas, programs, and activities. 

“We welcome the settlement reached today between the University of California and Jewish students at UCLA,” said Jewish Federation Los Angeles in a statement. “Accountability is a vital step to ensuring that the mistakes made by the university, leaving Jewish students vulnerable and endangered, should not happen again.”

Hillel at UCLA Executive Director Daniel Gold stated the settlement is “an important and meaningful step forward in addressing the very serious challenges that Jewish students have faced at UCLA.”

Similarly, in a joint statement, the affected parties stated they were “pleased with the terms of today’s settlement.” 

The agreement builds on several actions the University of California says it has taken to combat antisemitism on campus following the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, such as opposing divestment from Israel, reaffirming system policies against intolerance, and publishing a systemwide Anti-Discrimination Policy. 

“Today’s settlement reflects a critically important goal that we share with the plaintiffs: to foster a safe, secure and inclusive environment for all members of our community and ensure that there is no room for antisemitism anywhere on campus,” said University of California Board of Regents Chair Janet Reilly. 

Jordan Varberg, an attorney at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the law firm that represented the plaintiffs, said he believes the agreement is “the largest private settlement in a campus antisemitism case since the uprise in antisemitism in 2023.” 

Last year, college students across the nation, including from UCLA, Columbia University, and Harvard University, constructed pro-Palestinian encampments in response to their respective university’s ties to Israel in its ongoing war in Gaza.

On June 3, 2024, Jewish students at UCLA filed a federal lawsuit, Frankel v. Regents of the University of California, against the university for “allowing the antisemitic encampments and facilitating antisemitism on campus,” according to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

In the weeklong demonstration that started on April 5, 2024, and continued until May 2, 2024, UCLA allowed for student activists to set up barricades and establish an encampment that blocked access to the central parts of campus, the suit states. The plaintiffs alleged that pro-Palestinian activists enforced a “Jew Exclusion Zone,” which segregated Zionist and/or Jewish students and faculty from going to classes and participating in routine campus life. 

“The University of California, Los Angeles, once considered among the most prestigious public institutions in the world, has deteriorated into a hotbed of antisemitism,” the lawsuit reads. 

The plaintiffs brought claims under the First Amendment’s Free Speech and Free Exercise Clause, and the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.  They alleged activists chanted antisemitic threats, creating a pervasive air of fear for Jewish students, and that the university was aware of the encampments yet did not act to remove them, thus discriminating against students based on their religion. 

UCLA denied liability and wrongdoing alleged in the action and agreed to pay the settlement to avoid further inconvenience, expense and litigation, but Reilly recognized where the University of California had “fallen short.”

In a separate action, on the same day UCLA announced the settlement, the U.S. Department of Justice alleged the university violated federal civil rights law, which could result in a loss of federal funding. 

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the DOJ has “found concerning evidence of systemic antisemitism at UCLA that demands severe accountability from the institution,” and that UCLA will be forced to pay a “heavy price” for putting Jewish Americans at risk, but has not specified what that price will be.

The settlement and findings by the DOJ represent a growing number of higher education institutions facing scrutiny, investigation and federal funding threats in response to on-campus tension surrounding Israel and Palestine.  

The post UCLA Agrees to $6.45 Million Settlement of Antisemitism Claims appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

During public comment, several individuals spoke about their concerns regarding a newly implemented Standards-Based Educational Instruction policy, which was passed unanimously at the board’s July 16 meeting. 

Board Member Amanda Stern excused herself shortly after the meeting began because she was not feeling well. Stern later sent a message to Board President Rachelle Marcus, which Marcus read aloud, indicating that “all tests indicate [Stern is] okay.”

The newly drafted BHUSD social media policy was first presented to the board at its April 15 meeting. BHUSD does not currently have a policy governing its official social media accounts. 

The draft presented on July 22 included oversight rules, prohibited content, staff expectations and more. 

Under the policy, prohibited content would include political endorsements or partisan messaging; the unapproved promotion of commercial products and/or services; confidential student information; graphic, violent or sensitive material; personal opinions or commentary; and explicit AI content or other misuse. 

Board members agreed that students’ social media accounts should not be tagged, which they defined as mentioning the student’s social media handle. 

However, the board agreed that naming students—not tagging them—was acceptable as long as their guardians signed the media release form. 

Colby Gilardian, BHUSD’s public information officer, noted that posts spotlighting student accomplishments often get a lot of traction.  

“The ones that do the most well are the ones where we highlight our students,” he said. “The college decision series was a big one, excellence in action, sports games recaps, stuff like that where it’s really student-centered.” 

The policy will come back before the board for another reading at a future meeting. 

In other business, the board agreed to continue the development and implementation of a new committee, called the BHUSD BRIDGE Committee (Building Relationships to Inspire Development & Growth for Everyone). 

The idea for the committee was brought by Board Member Russell Stuart and was first discussed at the board’s May 13 meeting. On July 22, Stuart said that some changes had been made to the proposal since their last discussion. 

Primarily, those changes involve narrowing the BRIDGE committee’s focus to collaboration between local businesses and students, in which students would be given the opportunity to intern at local businesses and those businesses in turn could potentially work in some capacity with BHUSD. 

“The BRIDGE concept that I brought several months ago [proposed] a very vast, large, all-encompassing community involvement … I wanted to kind of change it into an idea where it is really, truly focusing on finding opportunities for our students,” he said. 

“A lot more businesses are going to want to do business with us if we open up that door and let them know that we’re more positive to those kinds of opportunities,” Stuart added. 

Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss will discuss the proposal with BHUSD Assistant Superintendent, Education Services Dr. Dustin Seeman and the Chamber of Commerce. 

During public comment, three individuals spoke against a new policy related to Standards-Based Instructional Education. 

The policy, which was brought by Board Member Sigalie Sabag, imposes limits on how teachers handle controversial issues in the classroom and tightens expectations that they do not deviate from their curriculum. 

Among those who spoke was Judith Chan, the Vocal Music teacher at Horace Mann Elementary School. Chan has taught in the district for nearly 25 years. 

Upon bringing the policy for review by the board, Sabag cited an incident that took place in Chan’s class as an example of why the policy needed to be implemented. 

Without naming Chan, Sabag stated at the June 24 board meeting that a music teacher “wasn’t teaching music; she was only teaching about protesting. That’s all she was teaching.”

At the July 22 meeting, Chan said she was there to address Sabag’s “reference to me in particular, her false allegations against me.” 

According to Chan, the incident Sabag referenced occurred in 2022 around the time of Black History Month and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. Chan taught the song “We Shall Overcome,” which she said is “a standard,” and her class watched a short cartoon video about King. 

A student then asked what civil rights movements are. Chan said she asked the class for their responses. One student mentioned the story of Rosa Parks, and another mentioned the Black Lives Matter movement. They briefly discussed what civil rights are, Chan said, then “moved on to other music activities.” 

Chan said that following that routine incident, Sabag, who was not yet a member of the board, stated during the public comment period of a board meeting that Chan “took it upon herself to teach her kids about Black Lives Matter and racism during her whole class.” In a written complaint, according to Chan, Sabag wrote that Chan “put teaching music aside in order to indoctrinate the students with [Chan’s] beliefs.” 

Sabag refused to meet with Chan in person, Chan said, despite a human resources request that she do so. 

Chan said that the district investigated the incident and “found all the claims [Sabag] had against me were unsubstantiated.” 

“So, Mr. Stuart, when you asked her in the meeting what happened to the music teacher,” Chan said, “I was surprised that she did not volunteer to give you the information that I was cleared from any wrongdoing.” 

The policy went into effect on July 16 following the board’s vote.   

The post New Policies Shake Up BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“If you want to learn what it really takes to become a filmmaker, this is the class,” said Newman. “From story development to editing, set experience to post-production, students will have the chance to work on real projects, meet real professionals, and take their skills beyond the classroom.”

Newman has directed feature films including “Fanboys,” “Barely Lethal” and “1Up,” and has produced content for Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Hasbro Studios. He is also the co-author of multiple New York Times bestselling books and currently serves as executive producer on an upcoming “Dungeons & Dragons” documentary. His current projects will serve as entry points for BHUSD students to gain exposure, mentorship, and hands-on opportunities in the creative arts.

Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss described Newman’s hiring as “a game-changing moment” for the district.

“Kyle brings the highest level of expertise and credibility. He is here to help our students build real careers, not just classroom projects,” said Cherniss. “This is a perfect example of how BHUSD blends academic rigor with career readiness. We’re proud to support a program that sets students up for meaningful success.”

Newman is already developing a new slate of programming for BHUSD’s broadcast platforms, which will include both student-produced content and district features, soon to be available on streaming platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku.

“Students in this program won’t just be learning, they’ll be creating,” said Newman. “We’re building something real, together.” 

The post BHUSD Appoints Kyle Newman as Director of Broadcast Production Program appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The policy, which was introduced by Board Member Sigalie Sabag, imposes limits on how teachers handle controversial issues in the classroom and tightens expectations that they do not deviate from their curriculum. 

Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern opposed the policy at the beginning of the discussion period. Stern said she could not approve a policy that includes, as the original draft did, language stating that “Staff members with firsthand knowledge of potential violations are encouraged to report concerns promptly.” 

Saying the language was a “nonstarter” for her, Stern had strong words about its implications. 

“Please, guys, we are better than that, and we need to evolve,” she said. “That is going backwards, and there’s just no way to sugarcoat that … we have seen from the letters we’ve gotten, from the educators we’ve heard from, that is actually insulting.”

Marcus, who attended the meeting virtually, said the district already has a policy addressing the handling of controversial topics in the classroom. That policy was reviewed two-and-a-half years ago, Marcus said, calling the newly proposed policy “unwarranted and dangerous.” 

“Mrs. Sabag wants to limit all instruction in the classroom to curriculum only, leaving no room for discussion on any and all discussable topics which might be controversial, or even more,” said Marcus. “We are tying the hands of our teachers by limiting them to what the curriculum mandates they teach and teach only … before we adopt this, we should take a step back and see if it is really necessary.”

During public comment, several BHUSD teachers spoke against the policy. Other educators were present in the audience wearing shirts bearing the name of the Beverly Hills Education Association, the union that represents teachers in the district. 

Hannah Croft, a seventh grade English teacher at Beverly Vista Middle School, echoed some of the concerns expressed by Marcus and Stern. 

“The language of this supposed standards-based instruction policy does not actually reflect standards-based instruction, which I know well,” Croft said. “Instead, this proposed change demands teachers limit their scope of instruction, and by extension, limit student skills and ability to learn. The meticulously chosen and intentionally vague language of this proposed instructional change does not have student success at its heart. Instead, this proposed change actively inhibits the learning, growth and success of every child in this district.”

Over the course of a two-and-a-half-hour discussion, the board reviewed the policy sentence by sentence. Among the changes made was the deletion of the language Stern flagged regarding staff reporting one another. 

The board also added language stating that, “Educators are encouraged to have meaningful dialogue among students to foster educational objectives.” 

The new policy will go into effect immediately. 

In other news, the board approved the hiring of a new principal at Beverly Hills High School. Loan Sriruksa previously served as the principal of Esperanza High School in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District and has also held multiple administrative roles in the Garden Grove Unified School District.  

At the July 16 meeting, Sriruksa expressed her enthusiasm to start her new position. 

“I’m fully committed to continuing the legacy of high expectations for all students, while also fostering an environment where every person feels cared for, seen and supported,” she said. “I believe every student deserves not just a premium education, but a school experience that nurtures their whole self … Our school’s motto, ‘Today Well Lived,’ is one I hold close. It reflects the kind of school community I hope to lead.”

In a statement, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss voiced his confidence in Sriruksa.

“Loan Sriruksa brings a focused, experienced, and results-oriented leadership style to BHHS,” he said. “Her track record reflects exactly what we expect in Beverly Hills; strategic thinking, high expectations, and a clear drive for academic excellence.”  

The post New Speech Limitations Imposed on BHUSD Teachers appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Garner Holt Productions is known for creating the lifelike animatronic figures featured in iconic attractions like Disneyland, including classics like Pirates of the Caribbean and the Hall of Presidents. Their Education Through Imagination initiative offers makerspace consultation, design, installation, and training grounded in real-world applications of engineering, design, coding, and storytelling.

The visit was an opportunity for BHUSD leadership to explore how programs like Garner Holt can inform and inspire future learning environments.

“We were inspired by how technology and storytelling come together to spark curiosity and creativity,” said BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss. “This experience deepened our understanding of how BHUSD might thoughtfully design future academic programs that integrate immersive, high-impact learning aligned with our commitment to Educational Excellence.” 

The post BHUSD Leadership Explores Innovative Educational Technologies appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The proposal was brought forth by Board Member Sigalie Sabag. 

Sabag sought to make clear, she said, that teachers are not to introduce controversial issues that do not pertain to the subject they are teaching. 

“This is a policy that we don’t have that needs to be implemented,” said Sabag, adding, “If you have a curriculum like, let’s say health, and you are teaching regarding gender or teaching any which way, this policy tells you how to go about it responsibly.”

The draft policy brought forward by Sabag defined controversial issues as including topics such as religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and geopolitical conflicts.

It identified courses such as history, civics, government, geography and economics as classes that may warrant the discussion of such issues. 

The proposed policy further identified mathematics, English, science, physical education, world languages, the arts and technical electives as courses in which “teachers must refrain from introducing political, ideological, or personal commentary unrelated to approved instructional goals.”

Under the proposal, other staff members would be encouraged to report violations of the policy. 

In elaborating on her point, Sabag described an incident in which a BHUSD music teacher showed a film about protesting. 

“In this circumstance … she wasn’t teaching music; she was only teaching about protesting,” Sabag said. “That’s all she was teaching. She is not teaching according to her class. You teach according to your curriculum and class.” 

During public comment, Katherine Warren, the president of the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA), the union that represents the city’s public school teachers, requested that the item be tabled. Warren said the collective bargaining agreement already has guidelines for teaching controversial issues, and that document takes precedence over board policies. 

“If the board wishes to revise or clarify language related to controversial issues, the appropriate venue for that discussion is the bargaining table,” she said. “BHEA requests that the agenda item … be tabled and brought to the bargaining team for any changes in language.”

Board Member Amanda Stern spoke at length against the proposed changes. Expressing a conviction that teachers should be able to instruct students in critical thinking, analytical thinking and how to compose an argument, Stern said educators need the freedom to “think out loud and show their reasoning.” 

“We don’t want robots for teachers,” she said. “We want people that we trust … if we want a machine to just give feedback and a binary response, we can move in that direction. Sadly, I feel that the schools in 30 years may well be that way because of the environment and regulations such as these.”

Agreeing with Sabag that violations “must be disciplined and enforced,” Stern went on to note that “I stop short of trying to censor some of the activity that makes classrooms stimulating and fun and speaks to these very standards.”

Stern added that the policy proposed by Sabag seems to contradict itself with respect to its purported disdain for bringing partisan politics into the school setting. 

“When I look at this new policy … it’s talking about not introducing [issues] along partisan lines, but it seems to me that this policy itself, I want to say it’s a playbook from some ideology that is partisan based,” she said. 

Stern and Sabag agreed to collaborate on the policy before further board discussion.

In other district news, Career Technical Education instructor and Media Director Romeo Carey has announced his retirement. 

In a message sent to the KBEV community, district representatives lauded Carey’s achievements during his more than two decades of teaching at BHUSD. 

“Romeo Carey’s dedication to student learning, media excellence, and public service has left a mark that will be felt for generations,” said BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss. “We thank him for his unparalleled contributions and wish him the very best in his next chapter.”

Carey was at the center of a controversy beginning in December 2024, when he was placed on paid administrative leave for reasons that were not disclosed to the community. Stakeholders, including students, parents and former students, expressed their outrage for months during public comment at board meetings. 

Carey was reinstated in March. 

In the same statement released by the district, Carey reiterated his mission and his hope for the future. 

“My duty as a mentor was to instill the idea that the pillar of a free and open society is a free press that acts as a watchdog, holding those in power accountable and informing the community about public affairs,” he said. “To my students who boldly took on their duty as broadcast journalists by holding truth to power, I will forever be indebted to their tenacity and courage.” 

The post BHUSD Board Discusses New Restrictions on Teaching ‘Controversial Topics’ appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Spearheaded by the BHUSD Communications Department, this partnership follows a successful district-led effort earlier this month to remove an anonymous Instagram account that was posting harmful content targeting BHHS students. The swift removal was made possible through direct collaboration between BHUSD and Instagram, setting a precedent for how our district can proactively safeguard student well-being in digital spaces.

As part of the program, all official BHUSD Instagram accounts now feature the official School Partner verification badge, distinguishing BHUSD as an early participant in this important national effort.

“With a platform as large as Instagram, this partnership equips BHUSD with real-time tools to help protect our students online,” said Dr. Alex Cherniss, Superintendent of Schools. “We are proud to be part of this initiative prioritizing student safety in digital spaces.”

Participating schools receive priority reporting access, real-time response updates, and direct platform support. Instagram also provides BHUSD with educational resources for students, families, and staff to promote safe and responsible social media use.

The Instagram School Partnership Program was developed in collaboration with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) to give educators more direct control in combating bullying and harmful online content. The program is currently open via waitlist to middle and high schools nationwide. BHUSD’s early inclusion reflects our proactive approach to communications and our commitment to creating a safe educational environment, both online and off. 

The post BHUSD Joins Instagram’s New School Partnership Program appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The presentation by CBOC member Jasmine Yadgari and CBOC Vice Chair Marc Carrel at the board’s June 10 meeting covered actions taken in fiscal year 2023-24 with regard to Measure E, a $334 million bond initiative passed in 2008, and Measure BH, a $385 million bond initiative passed in 2018. 

The report also summarized the findings of an annual financial audit prepared by Christy White, Inc., and an annual performance audit prepared by Moss Adams, LLP. 

“Overall, the CBOC is very pleased,” said Yadgari. 

The management of the two bond measures was rocky for multiple years. Both were drafted to improve BHUSD facilities, including seismic retrofits, modernization and increased security. In 2017, Team Concept Development Services (TCDS), owned by Don Blake, was brought on to manage the bonds. 

Five years later, however, bond manager Fonder-Salari was hired to replace TCDS after the board and community members lost confidence in TCDS. TCDS had reported a budgetary shortfall estimated to be between $89 and $129 million, and stakeholders expressed concerns about a lack of transparency in the company’s operations. 

In their report to the board on June 10, the CBOC wrote that the new bond management team has made “monumental improvements in transparency, cost savings, and billing controls.” 

The committee noted that the budgetary shortfall has been reduced to approximately $7 million, and that BHUSD and Fonder-Salari have refined reports providing CBOC with line-by-line expenditures. 

“The improvements that have been made by Fonder-Salari in terms of the transparency, what they’ve been doing, how they’re handling things, the cost savings [have been] a dramatic improvement from the former manager,” Carrel told the Courier after the board meeting. “This report from the CBOC highlights that there’s very few issues since Fonder-Salari has taken over.” 

The committee requested that the financial and performance audits be made public. The board agreed; however it is not clear when or how that action will be taken. 

In other business, the board voted 4-1 to amend regulations that govern parental rights and responsibilities in the district.

The amendment will add language stating that administrative personnel should only be present in non-disciplinary parent-teacher meetings under “exceptional circumstances.” 

Board President Rachelle Marcus was the sole no vote. 

The idea for the amendment was first put forth by Board Member Sigalie Sabag in the board’s May 27 meeting. On June 10, Sabag reiterated her belief that parents should be allowed to form a relationship with their child’s teacher independent of an administrative presence. 

“The parent has a right to meet the [teacher] in the classroom like it’s always been for many years,” she said, later adding, “It’s not anything contentious, it’s not anything hostile.”

Sabag did not cite a specific incident that prompted her request for the change. 

The amendment was met with questions and some concern by Katherine Warren, the president of the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA)—the union that represents public school teachers in Beverly Hills—and Marcus. 

During public comment, Warren expressed the apprehension felt by some instructional staff. 

“Who has requested this change in policy?” Warren said. “Teachers? Administrators? Where did this come from? … If an administrator is not present, what recourse does a teacher have if a meeting becomes contentious?”

Marcus said that as a former teacher, the language struck her as restrictive and unfriendly. 

“I feel that the tone of this is very unwelcoming,” she said. “As a teacher … when I’m meeting a parent for the first time, if I want an administrator there, I should be allowed to do that … I find it almost offensive.” 

Much of their concern centered on a sentence in the proposed amendment which originally stated, “No administrative personnel shall be present unless warranted by exceptional circumstances.”

Following a discussion, the board agreed to change the sentence to read, “Administrative personnel shall be present only when warranted by exceptional circumstances.”  

The post BHUSD Hears Positive Report on School Construction Bonds appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“These are the right people at the right time,” said Board of Education President Rachelle Marcus. “Steve and Devon bring the experience, vision, and dedication needed to take our athletics program to the next level.”

As part of their roles, Lawson and Saxon will support oversight of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between BHUSD and the city of Beverly Hills. The JPA governs the shared use, maintenance, and scheduling of city and district facilities, a critical partnership that enhances access, safety, and programming for students and the broader community. Having athletic leaders in these positions ensures strong alignment between school needs and city resources.

An Army veteran, Lawson brings decades of high-level experience in coaching, program development, and athletic administration. He is a U.S. Open Champion, Pan American Games Bronze Medalist, and Olympic Festival Silver Medalist, and has served as Head Wrestling Coach at El Dorado High School for more than 27 years. During his tenure, he led teams to multiple league and CIF titles and coached 18 individual CIF champions, including a California State Champion.

Lawson is also the founder and director of SCWAY (State of California Wrestling Alliance for Youth), one of the state’s most impactful youth athletics organizations. SCWAY currently serves over 2,800 athletes and 75 clubs, and under Lawson’s leadership, has become a model for youth development, athletic safety, and coach training. Known for his disciplined yet student-centered approach, Lawson combines military precision with a deep belief in the character-building power of sports.

Saxon is a decorated cheer coach and educator who will work alongside Lawson. Saxon has led Birmingham Community Charter High School’s cheer program to six CIF-LA City Division I titles, two CIF State Runner-Up finishes, and consistent national recognition. Named the 2024 California Coaches Association Cheerleading Coach of the Year, Saxon is also a CIF-LA Cheerleading Co-Coordinator, overseeing logistics and competition planning for more than 80 school teams.

The Courier’s June 20 issue will include detailed reporting on the additional issues discussed/voted on during the June 10 meeting, including security costs related to construction, and a ban on administrator attendance at parent-teacher conferences.   

The post BHUSD Board of Education Approves New Athletic Director appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

As the nearly 310 graduating students walked onto the football field sporting their college of choice on their graduation caps, they enthusiastically waved to a sea of BHHS friends and family. The BHHS Band performed a rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance” as students took their seats. 

BHHS Principal Drew Stewart opened the commencement ceremony by welcoming attendees and the graduating class. Stewart, who joined the BHHS community nearly eight years ago as a teacher, announced his departure as principal in early May. He celebrated the class of 2025’s hard work, dedication, and commitment, and recognized the BHUSD staff and board members for their support. 

“These students represent everything we hope for in our graduates,” said Stewart. “You, Beverly, are very fortunate to have the support of the entire community. Graduates, there are many here who believe in you and advocate on your behalf.”

Attendees at the ceremony included BHUSD board members and President Rachelle Marcus, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, Mayor Sharona Nazarian and Beverly Hills City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey.

In alignment with the commencement’s theme, Marcus celebrated the class of 2025 as “the stars of our future” in her address. Entitled “The Stars, the Ground and the Tent,” Marcus’ speech equated the stars with the students’ goals, the ground with their beliefs and the tent with the people who have supported their futures. 

Graduating seniors faced challenges during their time at BHHS. As freshmen, the class of 2025 adjusted to a new campus and various bell schedule changes during the middle of the pandemic. Additionally, a demonstration that took place in the wake of the 2024 presidential election became a source of controversy, resulting in litigation and allegations of racial harassment. This past semester, the district underwent several leadership and staff changes. 

Nonetheless, BHHS seniors applauded their classmates for persisting and making it to graduation day.

“We dream big,” said Student Body President Sabrina Niku. “But we’ve also had to stay grounded, adapt and figure things out. No matter what came our way, we landed on our feet, and we did it together.”

In between speeches delivered by seniors Sarah Zhang, Aunaleah Ellis and Ruby Matenko-Lowenstein, attendees enjoyed live musical performances by the BHHS Symphony Orchestra and BHHS Madrigals. 

“It’s clear to me that no matter what we do, we’ve embraced this idea of being noble. And now, we have become our own unique set of stars to navigate by. And the ground is what keeps us steady—the foundation built by our family, friends, and community,” said Zhang.

“The greatest gift we can give to each other is each other,” Ellis told students.

Matenko-Lowenstein reflected on the bells students would hear throughout the school day indicating a moment of transition. “Up until now, we, the class of 2025, have been a collective unit, all hearing the same bell at the same times—bells that were helping us along to where we were supposed to go next, up until our very last day at Beverly. As we officially leave this era of our life behind, we will not hear these bells together anymore. Each of us will be on our own individual paths moving forward.” 

The post Beverly Hills High School Class of 2025 Celebrates Graduation appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The board also approved the implementation of a Spanish dual language program in the city’s elementary schools. 

“I think this is the most exciting, phenomenal, amazing board meeting I have attended in the past two-and-a-half years,” said Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri of the two new initiatives. 

In a presentation about the proposed restructuring of the College and Career Counseling Center, Dr. Dustin Seemann, the district’s assistant superintendent, education services, articulated the need for more counselors at the high school level. 

Currently, the College and Career Center employs five academic counselors, one college counselor and two wellness counselors. Seemann recommended transitioning that structure to four freshman and sophomore transition and academic counselors, four junior and senior academic and college counselors, one wellness counselor and one director of counseling. 

“[Our] recommendation is increasing opportunity, access and exposure for our school counseling program, specifically starting at [Beverly Hills High School],” he said, adding, “We are really coming to you and making a recommendation to redesign the way that we have seen our school counseling program functions at the high school.” 

The counselors focusing on freshmen and sophomores would be responsible for meeting with incoming eighth-grade families, collaborating with teachers and parents, and guiding students through the transition to high school. 

“That team, I kind of jokingly called it our hug,” Seemann said. “It is the team that is welcoming and transitioning all of our families, not just the students but all of our families, parents, all of our stakeholders, into the high school.” 

The counselors focusing on juniors and seniors would meet individually with second-semester sophomores, liaise with college admissions representatives and guide students and parents through the college testing and application process. 

The board approved the request unanimously. 

“When they evaluate you for a Distinguished School or a Blue Ribbon School, and also U.S. News & World Report, one of the metrics is those who not only applied to four-year schools but were accepted and matriculate,” said Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern. “So, it definitely is in our best interest to fortify the supports for that.” 

Seemann also conducted a presentation to inform the board about progress on implementing a Spanish dual language program in the city’s elementary schools. The program, which would be called the Dual Language Academy, would be introduced in one kindergarten classroom and one first-grade classroom at both El Rodeo and Horace Mann Elementary Schools in the fall. 

The program would follow a one-way immersion structure, meaning the majority of students enrolled would be native English speakers learning Spanish. 

The board approved the initiative with enthusiasm. 

“I wholeheartedly support this,” said Manouchehri. “I believe this is another game changer for our district.”

The district will hold a dual enrollment parent meeting on June 11 to answer questions about the program from the community. 

At the board meeting, Board President Rachelle Marcus debuted a new video series called “Mrs. Marcus Meets.” In it, Marcus meets with teachers and staff throughout the district to highlight their work. 

According to a statement from the district, the series aims to showcase BHUSD’s core values of excellence, integrity, wellness, inclusion, safety and community.

The first episode features Marcus in conversation with Beverly Vista Middle School (BVMS) Musical Theatre teacher Dr. Fred Pinto. The two discuss how Pinto knew he wanted to work with kids, the school’s recent performance of “The Addams Family” and what he enjoys about working at BVMS. 

New episodes will continue to air throughout the year. 

In other business, the board approved educational technology tools for the 2025-26 school year, including such products as iReady, BrainPOP and Classtime. The approval followed a discussion in which several board members expressed concern that the district is moving toward more screen time for students rather than less. 

“Is there something we can do, because we’re really trying to get away from screen time for the K, 1 through 2 and 2 through 3,” said Board Member Sigalie Sabag. 

Seemann noted that the tools have been carefully vetted by school administrators and staff.

“My answer would be, I’m making the recommendation to purchase [these tools],” he said, later adding, “I can promise you we are not plugging and playing students.” 

The post BHHS to Expand College and Career Counseling Services appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

This group of students holds a special place in the school’s history. They were in kindergarten when the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly changed the world, and virtual learning, mask mandates and social distancing became part of their early education. The class of 2025 is also the first to graduate from the school since reconfiguration in 2019 when all students were relocated to Hawthorne Elementary School during the construction of the new campus. 

“This year is the year of firsts,” Principal Sarah Kaber said. “You were the first to decorate these brand-new walls with butterflies from the Butterfly Project, a bright symbol of transformation. And today, you are the first students to be promoted from this auditorium, standing at the threshold to your next big adventure. Today, we look back not just at what’s behind us, but as far as you all have come. Each of you has grown in knowledge and character and confidence, and today, we honor every part of your story, your struggles, your successes, your friendship, and your growth.”

The ceremony also included fifth graders singing the school’s alma mater, remarks from teachers, and speeches by several students who shared memories and reflected on their journey over the last five years. 

“Can you believe we started as sweet, adorable kindergarteners who were scared of the dark, and now we have become the shining light for those who come after us?” Julia Razi said. “In the past years, we’ve learned a lot. From reading “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss to writing five-paragraph essays about climate change, from adding two plus two to multiplying fractions, from learning to color in between the lines to sculpting a ceramic butterfly.”

“COVID made school weird and hard at times, but it also showed us how strong we are,” Theodore Benyamin said. “We learned to adapt, to be flexible, and to keep going even when things didn’t go perfectly, like when Zoom froze because the Wi-Fi went out, and it made us look like we were frozen in space. If that wasn’t enough change, we also moved from Hawthorne to this new, beautiful campus, El Rodeo.”

Students paid homage to their time at Hawthorne, highlighting carnivals, Pajamarama, Halloween parades, and movie nights, as well as the cherished experiences that shaped their time at El Rodeo, which included an overnight field trip in the Santa Monica Mountains, dance parties, and a multicultural day. 

As cameras flashed and the 106 students were awarded their certificates, it was clear that this wasn’t just a graduation—it was truly a milestone. Moving on to Beverly Vista Middle School, these fifth graders leave behind not only a legacy of resilience but also a foundation for future classes to build upon. 

The post El Rodeo Elementary School Promotion Marks a Milestone appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Highlights of the Tentative Agreement include a 4.75% increase to all salaries and extra pay, effective July 1, 2025; an increase in the certificated hourly rate to $66.46 per hour; a $1,500 increase to the benefits cap, bringing the new total to $14,750; new paid evacuation leave policies for natural or manmade disasters; updated class size ratios for transitional kindergarten through fifth grade; Counselor caseload guideline set at 325 students to one counselor; enhanced co-teaching language to support inclusive instruction and collaborative planning time; and additional staffing support, including the addition of a second district librarian.

“This agreement represents a major achievement for our entire community,” said Rachelle Marcus, President of the BHUSD Board of Education. “As a former teacher, I am thrilled to see us reach this agreement before the school year concludes. Both sides came to the table with respect and a shared focus on what is best for our students and educators. I am proud of the balanced outcome we achieved together.”

Katherine Warren, President of BHEA, stated, “We are delighted to have an agreement before the end of the school year. I would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of both bargaining teams in making this deal possible. I would also like to thank Dr. Cherniss and the Board for their continued support.” The Tentative Agreement will be submitted to BHEA membership for ratification and to the BHUSD Board of Education for formal approval. 

The post BHUSD and BHEA Finalize Tentative Agreement appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The group, Promoting Alternatives to Unhealthy Screen Exposure (PAUSE), began meeting formally this school year. Dr. Rashelle Hakak, a clinical psychologist and founding member of PAUSE, said the idea to organize came when she and other members recognized the pervasive parental concern about screen time, both in and out of school.

“It was basically a bunch of parents who wanted change, and so we just started meeting,” she said. “We kind of created a checklist of what we wanted to get done.”

The group’s goals include encouraging parents not to provide their children with smartphones before eighth grade, developing a comprehensive understanding of how screens are used in BHUSD classrooms and pushing for change where necessary. 

PAUSE has signed a pledge with Wait Until 8th, a national campaign encouraging school communities to commit to not giving students smartphones until eighth grade. 

In terms of getting a clear picture of how screens—including iPads, tablets and laptops—are used in classrooms, Hakak said that PAUSE hopes to work closely with BHUSD officials.  

“We’re really trying to implement change and work more closely with the school district in a positive way,” she said. 

Dr. Dustin Seemann, the district’s assistant superintendent, education services said BHUSD officials share these goals. 

“My work with PAUSE is really around ensuring that we’re protecting our students’ social-emotional health and making sure that we are allowing them an environment in education to be able to focus on their academics,” he said. 

According to Seemann, Beverly Hills elementary school students spend an approximate average of 30 minutes per week on i-Ready, an online reading and math program that offers personalized instruction and diagnostics. Students receive approximately 1,590 minutes of instruction per week in total. 

“One of the myths when we launched i-Ready as an assessment diagnostic tool for differentiated learning [was that students] were always plugged in,” he said. “It’s actually incorrect … it’s really only 30 minutes in the week.”

Seemann also said that the program provides benefits to students who may be at different levels of reading and math. The technology is able to offer students a chance, for example, to read the same story or passage in class but at different levels. 

“Our kids don’t know that one kid may be reading at a higher level than the other kid,” he said. “They just know that they’re reading the same story … the differentiation piece has really been a game changer for education, period.” 

Some parents with PAUSE disagree about the positive effects of screens. Speaking at the BHUSD Board’s May 13 meeting, Dr. Jane Tavyev Asher, a child neurologist and founding member of PAUSE, said that neurological research has shown a connection between handwriting and reading capabilities that deteriorates if students use laptops or tablets instead. 

“If you type the information, it does not connect the same structures in the brain together as it does if you write it,” she said. “I really urge you … to please not have any iPads in the classroom at all at those young ages … definitely not in pre-K, not in K, not in first grade.”

There has been recent concern as well among parents over what students are able to access on their school-issued computers. Also speaking at the May 13 board meeting, Dr. Pantea Farhadi, a BHUSD parent, said her 8-year-old son was “exposed to sexual content” online. 

“His teacher placed him out of the classroom unattended with an iPad,” she said. 

Seemann said he was aware of the incident, which occurred when the student viewed a Wikipedia page with a graphic illustration, and that officials addressed it immediately. 

“As soon as we realized that was a potential threat, we were able to shut that [page] off and close it off from the student elementary devices,” he said. “We will consistently put student safety at the forefront of the conversation.”

Hakak said this type of incident speaks to a disconnect between the district office and the classrooms. 

“I don’t think they’re fully aware that the children, during any free time, that they’re allowed to be on their computers,” she said. “They’re unsupervised on a screen.” 

The post Parents Seek to Reduce Screen Time at BHUSD Elementary Schools appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The administrators, Dr. Steven J. Suttle at Horace Mann and Kim D’Aloisio at El Rodeo, are being brought on after the former principals at both schools were removed from their positions earlier this year. 

Both Suttle’s and D’Aloisio’s appointments were announced by the district on May 9 and formally approved at the BHUSD Board’s May 13 meeting. 

According to a statement from BHUSD, Suttle has served as a principal in multiple California school districts, earning honors for those districts such as the Gold Ribbon Award and the PBIS Platinum and Silver Awards.

In a separate statement, the district said that D’Aloisio most recently served as principal in a Los Angeles middle school which earned recognition as a California Distinguished School under her leadership and was a Magnet Schools of America Merit of Excellence recipient in 2024 and 2025. 

Speaking to the Courier, Dr. Dustin Seemann, the district’s assistant superintendent, education services, said that a nationwide search was conducted for both roles, and that the district received a slew of excellent candidates. 

“It was a very competitive process with a lot of people with a lot of great experience applying for these positions,” he said. 

Both Suttle and D’Aloisio stood out for their expertise, knowledge and training, Seemann said, as well as their past successes. 

“There’s so many things that they bring to the table about moving student data, closing educational gaps for students to ensure that all students can move towards meeting or exceeding state standards,” he said. 

Speaking at the May 13 board meeting, Suttle and D’Aloisio expressed their enthusiasm to join the district. 

“Elementary education is my calling,” said Suttle. “Both my parents were teachers. My brother’s an educator. My sister’s an educator. And I’m so thrilled that my journey as an educator now leads me to the beautiful community of Horace Mann and Beverly Hills.”

D’Aloisio voiced a similar sentiment. 

“El Rodeo is performing really well, I’d love to take it to the next level, and I’m just super excited to join the team here,” said D’Aloisio.

In other business, the board voted 3-0, with Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern abstaining, to approve a five-year agreement with BSN Sports to outfit student athletes in Nike-branded clothing and equipment, beginning on July 1. 

The agreement is the result of an effort spearheaded by Board Member Russell Stuart, who spoke recently about what he perceived as the poor quality of BHUSD sports teams’ apparel. 

Disagreement broke out among board members when the item came up at the May 13 meeting, in large part because of its placement on the agenda. The item was slated for a vote without discussion, to which Marcus and Stern objected. 

“If educational excellence is really what we’re after, we want to unpack this … these are huge corporations,” said Stern. “I don’t know if I want to start a chapter where we have Nike in our world for the rest of our lives.” 

Stuart retorted, “If we started educational excellence while you’ve been on the board for five years, you would have done something like this yourself. For five years you’ve been here, and we have no outfits for anybody, and our kids are wearing pathetic clothing.”

Responding to a suggestion that the agreement was based on Nike’s brand popularity, Board Member Sigalie Sabag noted, without going into detail, that the deal came about because Stuart has “a connection.”

“It’s not for the popularity, it’s because we have the connection,” she said. “If [Russell] Stuart had the connection with Adidas, we’d have Adidas. He has a connection, and I think we should take advantage of it.”

The board also discussed at its May 13 meeting the possibility of establishing a group with members of the community that would serve as a way to increase communication between the board and stakeholders. 

Parents have long criticized the board for a lack of transparency in their decision-making process. 

The proposal, which would form a group called Building Relationships in District Governance and Education (BRIDGE), was brought forth by Stuart, who said the idea came partly as a response to community concerns. 

“We’ve had countless people who have said transparency is an issue for us and that communication is an issue for us,” he said. 

The idea was met with cautious optimism by other board members, and will be brought back for continued discussion at a later meeting.  

The post BHUSD Hires New Principals, Makes Deal with Nike appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“Stewart’s love for the Beverly Hills community is strong. His leadership has been marked by compassion, consistency, and a deep belief in the potential of every learner. BHUSD is deeply grateful for his years of service, his commitment to our students, and the impact he has had on the BHHS community,” said a May 2 statement from the district. 

In that same statement, Stewart noted, “This decision wasn’t easy. Beverly has been home to me in every way, but I’ve come to a place in life where I need to prioritize my family. I will forever be grateful for this community, for the people, the purpose, and the heart of this school. Beverly will always be part of me.” 

The district added that it is dedicated to a smooth transition as it begins the process of selecting a new principal. 

The post Principal Drew Stewart Leaving BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

She helped lead the Academic Decathlon team to the state level, earned top medals across subjects and conducted award-winning science research focused on food preservation. She also worked to expand sustainability efforts through City Greens, BHHS’s hydroponic gardening initiative.

In addition to her academic achievements, Kruger completed a Russian immersion program in Latvia, tutored elementary school students and served an internship at the Beverly Hills City Manager’s Office under Nancy Hunt-Coffey. 

“Karina is one of the most talented interns we have had. Her research and analytical skills are excellent. I have taught at the graduate level at both UCLA and USC and I believe that her work rivaled that of my graduate students,” Hunt-Coffey told the Courier.   

The post BHHS Senior to Attend Columbia University appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on April 25 by Natonda “Bella” Ivory and Jarvis Turner. Both plaintiffs are Black. 

“Schools ought to be teaching tolerance and equality,” Bradley Gage, the attorney representing Ivory and Turner, told the Courier, “not tolerating prejudice and inequality.”

According to the complaint, Turner, who worked as a basketball coach and Sports Marketing/Business and Finance teacher beginning in 2010, first alerted district officials to his concern about discrimination when a student made a racist social media post in 2018. 

The following year, he received an email to his school account calling him a “n—–.” After receiving a “nonchalant” response from his supervisor, former BHUSD Executive Director of Athletics Tim Ellis, Turner filed a police report with the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD). 

Turner also claims in the complaint that he received calls from students on his cell phone using “racial epithets” and in-person verbal mistreatment from parents who used “derogatory racial stereotypes,” and that the police were called on him when he was in the gym coaching the basketball team.

Ivory, who worked at the school from 2020 until 2025, alleges in the suit that after starting her tenure at BHHS as an Introduction to Fashion instructor and co-teacher of costume design, she was subject to ongoing discrimination and harassment. 

In February 2022, after a cafeteria employee allegedly cursed at her and refused to serve her, then-Assistant Principal Torray Johnson told Ivory that because of her race, she “needed to be quiet, meek, passive, and compliant with white counterparts,” according to the complaint.

The situation escalated throughout 2023 and 2024 and reached a climax on Nov. 5, 2024. According to the complaint, a group of students celebrating the election of President Trump marched to Ivory’s classroom chanting “f— Kamala” and banged on the door, where Ivory was meeting with members of the Black Student Union. 

According to the suit, teachers, security guards, the principal and the vice principal watched the situation unfold and did not intervene. Ivory was later told by BHHS Principal Drew Stewart that the students’ actions were protected by the First Amendment, which is why they were not asked to disperse. 

The suit further claims that in February 2025, a BHHS student announced to a classroom that she hated Ivory and wanted to stab her, and no action was taken by district officials. 

Ivory resigned this spring. 

Representatives from BHUSD declined to comment on the case.

The district is also facing another, separate lawsuit filed in January 2024 by Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Laura Collins-Williams, who is still employed by the district. The complaint alleges that Collins-Williams, who is Black, was discriminated against for her race, age and gender, and that she faced a hostile work environment as well as retaliation. 

On April 21, attorneys for Collins-Williams were granted a motion to compel the attendance of former BHUSD Superintendent Michael Bregy at his continued deposition, answers to deposition questions and the production of documents. 

“The judge saw what we saw,” Anita Edwards, an attorney for Collins-Williams, told the Courier. “That they didn’t do what they were supposed to do in producing documents. I’m happy we are able to move forward and get the rest of the information we need to pursue our case.” 

An attorney representing BHUSD in the Collins-Williams case did not respond to requests for comment. 

Collins-Williams’ lawsuit was recently given a trial date of May 26, 2026. 

The post Lawsuit Alleges Black Teachers Threatened, Called Racial Slurs at BHHS appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“I believe both sides are making progress,” said Katherine Warren, the president of the BHEA. “I believe there are still open lines of communication … I just wish we were going at a faster pace.”

Negotiations between the two parties were initially set to begin in August 2024; however the district requested a postponement due to the school board election, which took place in November 2024. BHEA agreed, and talks were initiated in January. 

Multiple changes in district and school leadership have caused significant slowdowns in the process. 

On Feb. 21, then-BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy resigned. On March 11, the BHUSD Board announced the closure of nearly a dozen district positions, including the position held by Matt Horvath, the then-assistant superintendent of personnel services. 

According to Interim Superintendent Dr. Jason Hasty, Horvath previously served as the lead negotiator in contract discussions with the teachers’ union. 

Warren says that in past years, representatives for the union and the district were able to conduct more rounds of offers and counters in a single day during contract negotiations. Last year, the two parties often went back and forth twice a day. 

This year, she said, that process has changed to one round per day, once every two weeks. 

Hasty agreed that contract talks have been affected. 

“[O]ne could argue we’ve had to have some delays in negotiations … what happened with the Palisades Fires, with our leadership change, I can see where some might say we’re a little slow to start,” he said. 

In the current round of negotiations, BHEA is asking for an increase in salary, updates to benefits and leave policies, and changes to elementary class sizes. Teachers received a salary increase of 10.5% last year, which Warren said made up for previous years in which increases were approximately 2.5%. 

Laura Collins-Williams, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, and Dr. Dustin Seemann, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, are the main leads representing the district in contract negotiations with the union. Rachelle Marcus, BHUSD Board President, has also been sitting in on discussions. 

Hasty noted that the makeup of the negotiating committee for the district is subject to change. 

BHEA’s bargaining committee is led by Beverly Hills High School math teacher Josh Glass, and each school sends one additional representative to the table.

A primary concern for teachers is the possibility of going into the 2025-2026 school year without knowing what their salaries will be. 

Warren said that continuing negotiations over the summer presents its own set of challenges, as many educators are on schedules that are difficult to align. 

“I’m going to be disappointed and sad [if an agreement isn’t reached], because I think when teachers leave for summer vacation, they should know what their salary is in the fall,” she said.

Hasty said the district shares the same goal. 

“It is 100% the intention of the district and our leadership and the board to get a deal done before they leave for the summer,” he said. “And I’m going personally to be doing everything I can to ensure negotiations continue and that we’re not having any unnecessary pauses moving forward.”

The 2024-2025 school year will conclude on May 30. In order to reach an agreement by that time, Hasty said he would encourage the district to “work together to come to some common agreements … where we can meet in the middle on some of these things.” 

The post Teachers’ Union, BHUSD Hope to Reach Agreement Before Summer appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Neither Marcus nor Stern addressed the reasons for their changed votes at the April 15 meeting and had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Speaking to the Courier following the approval of his contract, Cherniss said that one of his primary goals at BHUSD is to “take our district to the next level.” 

“I’d like to bring innovation and creativity to the forefront and prepare our students for future jobs that haven’t been invented yet,” he said. “To do that, we need to really push the envelope.”

Cherniss said that “pushing the envelope” may involve rethinking the classroom experience, including taking under consideration changes made to learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“COVID changed the game, and all of a sudden, we learned very quickly that there are different ways that kids can learn,” he said. “They can learn at home; they can learn online … and so a lot of families don’t want to go back to the old days. You’re seeing explosions in homeschooled kids, you’re seeing a lot of online schools … we as educators, we need to be on the cutting edge as well. And so that’s going to be one of my roles here, is to bring that to our district.”

When pressed on whether he was considering remote learning for students at BHUSD, Cherniss demurred. 

“I’m not sure what our models will look like, but I know that we will create more flexible learning opportunities where, rather than the student conforming to the classroom, the classroom will conform to the students,” he said. 

Cherniss comes to BHUSD from the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD), where he served as superintendent for just under two years. During his tenure there, he spearheaded the opening of an intensive sports program, the Universal Sports Institute, as well as a district-run charter school, the Orange County School of Computer Science. 

The endeavors were met with mixed responses from the Placentia-Yorba Linda community, with some parents expressing concern over their cost and a lack of transparency about their implementation. 

Cherniss did not specify whether he would pursue similar endeavors at BHUSD, however when speaking to the Courier, he suggested he would rely on fundraising rather than scaling back costs to finance new projects in the district. 

“One thing that we’ll always be looking at is, are there ways to enhance revenues?” he said. “Whether it’s community partners, whether it’s property, whether it’s different types of partnerships. We’re going to be looking at ways to expand revenues.”

Cherniss parted with PYLUSD on rocky terms with some members of that community. A Change.org petition was initiated on April 15, 2024, demanding his resignation because of what it called “failed vanity projects,” “rushing through a new, multi-million-dollar project” and several other allegations. It garnered 871 signatures. 

On Dec. 19, 2024, Cherniss was placed on paid administrative leave by the PYLUSD board. Representatives for PYLUSD did not respond to requests for details about the circumstances surrounding Cherniss’ leave, however Cherniss told the Courier that newly elected members of the PYLUSD Board, who were seated in November 2024, “wanted to go in a different direction.” 

“I created a new computer science school,” he said. “I created a new Universal Sports Institute. And I did so with three board members basically approving everything … in November, the board switched and no longer had support for those programs and those initiatives.”

At the April 15 BHUSD board meeting, multiple members of the public spoke in support of Cherniss, including two individuals who traveled from Placentia Yorba-Linda to speak on Cherniss’s behalf. 

“Our loss is your gain,” said Leandra Blades, a trustee of the PYLUSD board. “What you guys are going to gain is a leader in innovation, but also an exceptional educator.” 

Beth Fisher, who identified herself as a parent, former employee of PYLUSD and the founding principal of OCSCS, echoed Blades’ sentiments. 

“When it comes to leader credibility, there are five dimensions, and Dr. Cherniss ticks off every box: competence, dynamism, trust, immediacy,” Fisher said. “If you don’t know what that means with him, you will … he’s going to propel you into the future.”

One member of the public spoke in opposition to Cherniss’ appointment. Kimberly Lifschitz, who identified herself as a parent of a BHUSD student with an Individualized Education Program, said that the announcement of Cherniss’ hiring “destroyed [an] already fragile trust” in the board. 

“BHUSD’s announcement highlighted the Universal Sports Institute and OCSCS as examples of the innovation Dr. Cherniss will bring to our district,” she said. “Is the board planning to facilitate similar wildly expensive projects here? From where in the district’s budget will we take that money?” 

Speaking to the Courier following the meeting, Lifshitz said her concern stems from the fact that special education resources are often the first to go when district funding is reallocated. 

“If the number of aides in a class starts to get cut, that’s going to affect my son and his classmates first,” she said. “I don’t see how you could kind of blow the hole in a budget the way it seems like previous districts had without impacting funding for the classroom.”

Prior to his work as a superintendent, Cherniss was employed by BHUSD as a middle school math teacher, K-8 principal, director of human resources and assistant superintendent of business services.

In a statement, BHUSD Board President Rachelle Marcus voiced her eagerness for Cherniss to begin his role. 

“It’s with great pleasure that I welcome Dr. Cherniss back,” she said. “I have nothing but confidence in what he’s going to do.”

Cherniss will step into the position of BHUSD superintendent on June 1, and his appointment will span three years.  

The post Alex Cherniss Wants to ‘Push the Envelope’ at BHUSD appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

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.  

The post BHUSD Appoints New Superintendent appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Talent Show Results included first place winner, Back in Autumn Band, featuring Morgan Stern, Jake Rubel, Cooper Fink, and Hannah Thurston. Alina Sansyzbay came in second place and Remy Javidzad was awarded third place and the People’s Choice Award.

“The Talent Show is a great example of students leading with purpose and passion,” said BHHS Assistant Principal Kim Decatrel. “It’s inspiring to see them out on stage, taking a risk to share their talents. Enthusiastic and supportive audience participation centered the bonds between Normans and warmed the hearts of all in attendance.”

This year’s event not only highlighted student performance but also celebrated collaboration across campuses.  

The post BHHS Talent Showcased at El Rodeo appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“This event was about helping students take the next step with confidence,” said BHHS Principal Drew Stewart. “We want every student to feel informed, inspired, and supported as they look ahead to life after high school.”

The fair included a wide variety of institutions, including public and private universities, liberal arts colleges, and out-of-state schools. College representatives were available throughout the day to answer questions, provide materials, and support students on their journey toward higher education. 

The post BHHS Hosts College Fair Featuring Over 50 Colleges and Universities appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Much of the dialogue centered around cutting costs and providing more detailed information to board members about spending plans. 

Following a discussion about approving an agreement with a vendor to provide audiovisual upgrades to the theater technology systems at Horace Mann Elementary School and Beverly Vista Middle School, board members decided to table the issue until more proposals were sought. A recent request for proposals yielded only one bid.   

The project is estimated to cost over $1 million for both schools combined. During discussion, board members expressed concern over not seeing an itemized spending breakdown. 

“What are the details?” said Sabag. “What are they fixing, what is destroyed and what are the prices for everything? I think we have a right to see the details if it’s a million dollars going on two schools.”

Board members also expressed uneasiness over receiving just one bid for the project, as reported by city staff.

“I know of plenty of companies in Los Angeles who do this kind of work,” said Stuart. “To believe that for a half-million-dollar job or million-dollar job, there’s no one else who’s interested in doing the work, I find that almost impossible to believe, especially when it’s staging sound systems. This is Hollywood, there’s 300 companies that do that kind of work.”

Interim Superintendent Dr. Jason Hasty received direction to repost the request for proposals on the district’s website, send the request to companies who might be interested and provide the complete scope of the proposed contract in the agenda the next time it comes in front of the board. 

In other business, the board voted to approve the resignation of 33 employees under a retirement incentive plan for which 146 district employees were eligible. The plan was developed by the district along with Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS), and those submitting their resignations at the end of the school year will include some certificated teachers and some classified staff, according to Board President Rachelle Marcus. 

Retiring employees will receive 80% of their last salary on a payment plan of their choosing. If approximately nine positions remain unfilled, PARS predicts the district could save an estimated $6.6 million over five years. 

Continuing their focus on spending, the board reviewed and approved funding for teachers’ attendance at several upcoming conferences and workshops. During discussion, Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri aired her concern that teachers may miss classroom time for the conferences, particularly just before statewide student testing. 

“I 100% support our teachers bettering themselves, going out, learning, being inspired, refreshing, coming back and sharing that with their colleagues and their students,” she said. “But I’m very, very protective of instructional time.”  

As other board members agreed with Manouchehri, Dr. Dustin Seemann, the district’s assistant superintendent of education services voiced irritation. 

“I’m going to get slightly frustrated in this conversation,” he said. “We can’t talk out of both sides of our mouths and say things like, ‘We want to ensure that we increase our AP scores, yet we’ll think about whether we’re going to allow our teachers to go, yet we are sitting on a million dollars’ worth of professional development funds.'”

At the end of the meeting, the board discussed several potential new initiatives. The first, proposed by Stuart, would allow the district to secure intellectual property rights relating to BHUSD and its assets to “work with potential sponsors and endorsement partners to identify and pursue branding opportunities … [and protect] the integrity of our brand,” Stuart said.

Board members informally green-lit the project, which Stuart will work on along with Manouchehri and Hasty. 

The second, proposed by Manouchehri, would upgrade uniforms and other gear for student athletes and participants in extracurricular teams such as robotics and orchestra. 

“The students want consistent, fresh uniforms,” she said. “The students want gym bags that reflect that they come from BHUSD. They want to look uniform; they want to be presentable.” 

During the public comment portion of the meeting, which took place early in the evening, district parent Jackie Kruger gave an update on the effort to recall Stuart and Sigalie. 

The two board members were served with notifications of an intent to circulate recall petitions against them at the board’s March 11 meeting. However, in order to proceed, proponents of the recall must serve the initial paperwork again. The petitions were filed too soon after the start of Sabag and Stuart’s term, under California law. 

Chief among the concerns of those participating in the recall effort, said Kruger, is a lack of transparency on the part of the district. 

Kruger acknowledged that, following a meeting between herself, Manouchehri, Sabag and two other individuals, the district sent a survey to members of the community about the search for a new superintendent. 

“If the meeting and survey are just the first steps toward greater transparency and inclusiveness and committing to listening and working on behalf of the entire community, then there will be no need for recall,” she said. “We hope that that is the case.” 

The post Spending and Transparency Top Issues at BHUSD Board Meeting appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Wells told the Courier that in hosting the gathering, she was acting in her capacity as a private citizen, not as a representative of the City Council. 

The recall petition must be re-served due to a procedural error; however the goal of the meeting, Wells said, was to address both sides’ concerns through a less formal dialogue.

“I felt the most important thing was … they could start a conversation and a dialogue outside of the formality of the boardroom, where they could just chat and find their common ground,” she said. 

District parents Jackie Kruger and Tasha Turner, both of whom were involved in the recall effort, attended along with board member Sigalie Sabag and board Vice President Judy Manouchehri. 

Sabag and fellow board member Russell Stuart are the targets of the recall effort. 

According to Kruger, over the course of three hours, the five women discussed matters including the district’s search for a new superintendent, the perceived lack of transparency in the board’s decision-making process and the recent release and reassignment of several elementary school administrators. 

“There were some moments in which there was, you know, some significant tension,” Kruger said. “It ended with this hope that we could resolve in this collaborative feeling … at the very minimum, there is a pathway for communication.”

Tensions between the BHUSD board and district parents have been high since the latter part of 2024. In November, students participating in a post-election pro-Trump rally allegedly used racial slurs against faculty and other students. Shortly thereafter, longtime Media Director Romeo Carey was placed on administrative leave for reasons that were not immediately clear. 

Beginning in early December, parents and students began showing up to board meetings and flooding the public comment period, accusing the board of a lack of transparency in its handling of those issues. 

The situation became even more tense in February when the board announced that Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy had resigned. Then, earlier this month, the district released and reassigned El Rodeo Elementary School Principal Sarah Kaber and Vice Principal Kevin Painter along with other administrative personnel. 

At the Board’s March 11 meeting, Kruger served Sabag and Stuart with notifications of an intent to circulate recall petitions against them. 

Wells said she believed an in-person meeting was the best approach to starting a dialogue. 

“The best way to clear things up is to have a conversation,” she said.  

In a written statement, Manouchehri said her intention in attending the meeting was to offer increased transparency. 

“I met with community members in good faith to clarify ongoing changes at BHUSD, which are aimed at providing the best education for our students,” she said.

According to Kruger, she and Turner presented five primary issues to Manouchehri and Sabag: the lack of parent involvement in the search for a new superintendent, a desire for the board to hold town halls where parents can ask questions, the board’s participation in governance training, a request for the reinstatement of recently reassigned elementary school administrators and a request for the resignation or censure of Stuart, who has come under fire for a recent social media post that some claim appears politically motivated. 

Manouchehri and Sabag are not able to make binding decisions without the rest of the board, however according to several people present, ideas were discussed as to how the board and the community might meet in the middle to address each groups’ interests.  

Kruger said she and Turner pushed hard for them to “reconsider and reinstate” administrators at both El Rodeo and Horace Mann elementary schools. 

“That is a very hot plate of contention,” Kruger said. “There is lines and lines of people knocking at my door regarding their eliminations.”

If the recall effort is to proceed, those behind it will need to serve the initial paperwork again. Under California law, to launch a recall effort against an elected official, the official must have held their office during the current term for more than 90 days. 

Sabag and Stuart began their terms on Dec. 17, 2024, and were served with notifications of intention on March 11. 

As of press time it is not entirely clear whether the effort will continue. Turner said that there are still mixed feelings among parents following the March 17 meeting.

“Jackie and I did go back to the group and discuss what we discussed with Judy and Sigalie, and most members of the group were encouraged,” she said. “We do have some members of the group who are still, you know, suspicious.”

Kruger added that the decision was not hers and Turner’s to make. 

“We have yet to file,” she said. “We wanted to appear … at that conversation in good faith, not serving them notice. So, we’re going to let this, you know, air a little bit and hear what happens, see how people are behaving, and then make a decision about how to move next.”

Wells does not have plans to host additional conversations of this nature. 

On Wednesday, multiple parents confirmed receiving a survey from the district requesting input on what is most important in a superintendent’s role.

“That was amazing to see,” said Turner. “I feel like, OK, that’s a step in the right direction.” 

The post School Board Members Meet with Recall Participants appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Additionally, Interim Superintendent Dr. Jason Hasty read out actions that took place earlier in closed session, in which the district was authorized to provide specific employees with notices. Those notices include release and reassignment and non-reelection. 

Board members said the decision to reduce administrative staff was based on a combination of budgetary and performance concerns. 

Referencing a recent audit of the district conducted by the state of California and the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri said the district has been found to have “too much management,” and alluded to nearby elementary schools having better test scores than El Rodeo Elementary School. 

Shortly after the board meeting, BHUSD released a statement that said the staff changes are “aimed at strengthening academic excellence while maintaining fiscal responsibility and compliance with state funding requirements.” 

In the same statement, Board President Rachelle Marcus said the board’s focus is on the students. 

“We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality education while ensuring that our financial resources are allocated in a way that directly benefits their learning experience,” she said. “These changes allow us to prioritize academic excellence while maintaining a strong and sustainable district.”

Among those individuals being released and reassigned from their current positions are El Rodeo Elementary School Principal Sarah Kaber and Assistant Principal Kevin Painter. El Rodeo staff were informed by Kaber and Painter of the district’s decision at a March 12 staff meeting. Both Kaber and Painter said they will be removed from administrative positions effective at the end of the current school year. Since both have tenure, they were given the option to return as classroom teachers.
“Every Wednesday morning, we have a staff meeting,” said an individual who attended the meeting.  “Sarah and Kevin told us, ‘We’ve been released and reassigned. They’re offering us positions as classroom teachers.’ Nobody has been told any reasons.”

 Staff from El Rodeo attended the March 11 board meeting to express their support for Kaber and Painter. Most wore all black. 

 “We had 35, 40 members of our staff, almost every teacher at the board meeting for two and a half hours,” said the same individual who attended the meeting. “We were showing up in support for [Kaber and Painter].” 

 She added that many staff members wore orange ribbons to school the following day. 

“If kids ask us [about the ribbons], we’re just saying that Ms. Kaber’s favorite color is orange, and we’re showing that we love and respect her,” they said. 

Community members also spoke at the March 11 meeting in support of administrative staff and against the manner in which the board made its restructuring decisions. Jonathan Goldfinger, M.D., a local parent and pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles with expertise in trauma-informed care, said removing leadership could result in serious harm to students. 

“We know there’s a lot more to education than just test scores,” he said. “When we uproot leaders from our schools … perhaps without sufficient concern for growth, we are perpetuating environments and social climates that have led young generations to be among the most anxious, depressed and tragically suicidal and at risk for overdose, bullying and other forms of school violence.” 

On March 13, Kaber addressed her situation in the school’s online newsletter, “The El Rodeo Roundup.” 

“At Tuesday evening’s Board of Education meeting, Dr. Hasty reported that the board voted 5-0 to reassign several administrators, including Mr. Painter and me,” she wrote. “At this time, we have not yet received further details regarding our next roles … Through our collective efforts, we have created the highest-performing school in the district, a testament to the dedication of our extraordinary teachers, the enthusiasm of our students, and the unwavering support of our parents and guardians. As we move forward, please know that you have our unwavering dedication to your children and the future of this school.”

When reached by the Courier about the resolutions passed by the board and the public’s reaction thereto, Hasty had this observation:

 “I will be the first to acknowledge the emotional toll this takes on a community. I’m going to do my best to be visible, to listen to feedback and make sure that I’m a conduit for the board and support the board.” 

Hasty also noted that the notices voted upon by the board resolutions “are required by law” to be given by March 15 each year. “They are not effective until June 30, but it gives us a space of time as a leadership group to make necessary decisions,” said Hasty.

He added, “The facts are the facts. We were seeing a deficit. We have to make some tough decisions.” 

The post BHUSD Board Modifies District’s Staffing Structure appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Speaking during public comment, Kruger said that she was there on behalf of “a lot of upset parents and members of the community” who have grown increasingly displeased with the actions of the board. Those actions include an alleged lack of transparency surrounding the Feb. 21 resignation of former Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy and the more recent decision to restructure the administration at El Rodeo and Horace Mann Elementary Schools. 

“I hope that you understand that you are under the eye and scrutiny of the community,” said Kruger before serving Stuart and Sabag, “and that you change your course.”

The notices list reasons for initiating the recall, including “clear violations of district code of conduct and bylaws, directly undermining the board’s educational excellence mission and failing to uphold BHUSD governance core values and commitments.”

Stuart is additionally accused of “compromising board impartiality by publicly expressing personal political views in an official capacity,” and Sabag faces an allegation of “demonstrating a conflict of interest by participating in district decisions potentially influenced by personal business interests and considerations.”

According to Kruger, the group collected nearly 100 signatures in 12 hours. 

In personally serving Stuart and Sabag with the notifications, recall proponents fulfilled the first step in initiating a recall. They must now prepare a recall petition for circulation, according to procedures set forth by the California Secretary of State. 

Those procedures state that proponents of the recall effort must collect approximately 4,560 signatures, and if the petition is deemed sufficient by elections officials, an election will be held within approximately 100 and 140 days. The election may be held later if it coincides closely with a regularly scheduled election.

Should they be recalled, there would be no vote to replace Stuart or Sabag. The positions would remain vacant until the next regularly scheduled election. 

Stuart and Sabag were elected to the board in November 2024. Reached by phone, Stuart said he did not know the recall petition was coming. 

“The number one thing that I can say is, it’s just disappointing,” he said.

Stuart added that the changes being made to Beverly Hills’ elementary schools administration teams were based on budgetary concerns. 

“I really do not believe that the voters who voted me in are against me, because this is what they voted us in for … to fix the books, and to turn these [school’s test] scores around.”

Recently, Stuart has faced controversy over a social media post. On Feb. 24, he posted an image featuring the “D” in BHUSD overlapping with the letters “DOGE.” DOGE is commonly understood to be an acronym for the federal government’s recently created Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk.

When announcing the creation of the office, President Donald Trump indicated that its stated goal would be streamlining government and bringing savings to taxpayers.

Stuart continues to defend his social media post, saying it represents his intention to be fiscally responsible during his tenure on the board and suggesting that there is a “politically charged” element to the recall effort. 

“I don’t have a Donald Trump post on my Instagram, but I promise you, if you followed any one of those people who are recalling me, you would think that they work for the Harris campaign,” he said. “[My post] was supposed to say that my focus is on efficiency.”

In an exclusive comment provided to the Courier via email, Sabag said the notice of intention to recall is “vague, lacks specificity, and borders on slander.”

“At its core, this recall effort is not about governance; it is about preserving the status quo for a select few,” she wrote. “It is a misguided and divisive attempt that distracts from what truly matters—our students’ education. No matter the noise, my focus will remain steadfast on ensuring that Beverly Hills Unified School District reclaims its status as a National Blue Ribbon School District and pride of our community.”

Romi Azevedo, a local parent and former BHUSD employee, spoke at the March 11 meeting in support of the recall effort. In a later email to the Courier, Azevedo noted that her concern revolved around the board’s allegedly opaque decision-making process.  

“The issue here is that the board is making major, destabilizing decisions without providing any transparency, justification, or a strategic plan,” she wrote. “What is the board’s long-term vision, and why haven’t they shared it with the community?”

Kruger echoed Azevedo’s alarm over a perceived lack of transparency in the board’s actions. 

“Perhaps there’s too much admin in our schools, I don’t know,” Kruger said in a phone call with the Courier prior to the March 11 meeting. “I’m not saying that some of these cuts aren’t justified. It’s just the transparency and the methodology are problematic … These are people that are dismantling our school in a very haphazard fashion.” 

The post Recall Efforts Launched Against Two BHUSD Board Members appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The district is currently facing lawsuits and administrative claims alleging racism, wrongful termination, sexual harassment and more. It has also fielded ongoing complaints from parents and students who say there is a lack of transparency on the part of the district. 

At the March 4 meeting, the board reviewed a contract with Corder Creative, LLC, titled “Crisis Communication Proposal.” Under the contract, the company’s scope of work includes communications policies, media coverage, key messages and talking points. 

The contract states that key messages and talking points would address “immediate concerns, including the journalism instructor’s leave, litigation against the district, allegations of racism, and allegations of staff member misconduct in student interviews/investigations.”

The proposal to bring on a crisis communications team came from Acting Superintendent Dr. Jason Hasty, who also identified Corder Creative. 

“Corder Creative provides a multitude of communication services [and] has a background with working with school districts,” he said. “The need is great, and this is a great company to bring in to help support this need.”

During discussion, most board members agreed that the district is facing a number of communication concerns. 

“I can think of at least three [issues facing the district] that have not been properly and transparently communicated,” said Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern. “There are some choppy waters right now, and some real specific needs.”

Board President Rachelle Marcus expressed similar concerns. 

“I do agree with my colleagues about the fact that we need someone who can handle the communications right now, because we are up a creek without a paddle, as far as I’m concerned,” she said. “I would love to be able to find somebody that can handle the crisis that we’re in right this moment.”

Board Member Russell Stuart agreed that more transparency is needed, as well as more honest communication with the community, but took issue with the word “crisis.” 

“What’s something that’s really bothering me immensely is, Dr. Stern and Mrs. Marcus, you both referenced the community and how they’re feeling, and that we’re in a crisis,” he said. “We’re not in a crisis at all. There is no crisis here. If you look at school districts up and down the state of California, they have lawsuits, they have problems. They hire and fire people. Things happen. We’re not in a crisis at all.”

The contract included in the March 4 agenda proposed a maximum of $25,000 for 83 hours of work by Corder Creative. The board agreed that the figure was too high and approved the contract 4-1 at $15,000. Stuart was the sole “no” vote.  

The post BHUSD Hires Crisis Communications Firm appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

An exclusive statement to the Courier from BHUSD indicates, “While [Carey’s] reinstatement comes after a period of administrative review, the district’s primary focus remains on supporting students and fostering a productive learning environment.”

“We are committed to ensuring the continued success of our students in all academic and extracurricular programs,” said BHUSD Board President Rachelle Marcus in the statement. “KBEV has a long history of excellence, and we look forward to seeing our students thrive as they continue their work in journalism, media production, and broadcasting.”

The statement continues, “Moving forward, BHUSD will continue to work with all faculty, students, and stakeholders to maintain a structured, professional, and student-focused learning environment. Our goal is to provide KBEV students with the resources, mentorship, and educational integrity necessary to prepare them for careers in media and beyond.” 

The post BHUSD Confirms Return of KBEV Instructor appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The actions came during an evening that became tense when members of the public continued to express dissatisfaction with the suspension of Romeo Carey, the district’s media director. Carey is currently on paid leave. 

Among the agendized items before the board was a discussion of a proposed contract with Swing Education, Inc., an online platform for hiring vetted substitute teachers. Board members reviewed the proposed agreement and posed questions to Dr. Jason Hasty, the acting superintendent in the wake of the resignation last week of Dr. Michael Bregy. 

Several board members sought confirmation that substitutes would be capable of teaching the subjects in the classrooms to which they are assigned.

“We do have a lot of issues with when we do have a substitute that goes into a specific classroom, [the students] are basically getting babysat,” said Board Member Sigalie Sabag. “So, we don’t want that. We want them to continue the curriculum.” 

The board moved to approve the contract as Hasty assured members of his faith in the company’s ability to meet the district’s needs. 

In other business, the board heard progress updates on the district’s state-led Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) as well as the strategic plan. Principals from all BHUSD schools provided reports on student achievement in three areas: engaging students in learning, supporting positive student behavior, and growing and developing professionally. 

In explaining why LCAP updates were combined with strategic plan updates, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dustin Seemann noted that the district’s strategic plan sets benchmarks higher than the LCAP. 

“Our strategic plan is more robust than what is required by the state for reporting purposes,” he said. “We expect more out of ourselves than what is expected by the county and state.” 

The reports were largely positive, with all schools demonstrating improvement in student achievement in math and reading. However, Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri pressed Sarah Kaber, the principal of El Rodeo Elementary School, on student achievement in those two areas.  

Kaber reported that students demonstrated improvement on diagnostic tests, but Manouchehri noted that the percentage of children reaching the district’s target goals was below the established benchmark.  

“We’re on our way, we’re doing our best, but we have a way to go,” said Manouchehri. “These numbers are not meeting our standards, and I encourage you to come to the board and tell us what you need to make it happen.” 

The board recently made the decision to move the public comment period to the end of the meeting. The move was met at the time with anger and resistance from residents who decried the “lack of warning” about moving a portion of the meeting that had traditionally taken place much earlier. 

That frustration continued at this week’s meeting. Speakers’ time was limited to two minutes and the entire public comment period was limited to 20 minutes. Beginning with the first speaker, Michael Risoli, many commenters ignored time limits or expressed anger about them.  

Risoli, who criticized the behavior of BHUSD Assistant Superintendent Matthew Horvath during the district’s investigation into Carey, continued speaking over Board President Rachelle Marcus as she called the end of his time. 

“I’m sorry Horvath was given the power to interrogate and privately bully you in his office,” said Risoli, addressing his comments to students. 

As Risoli continued speaking beyond his time limit, three security guards approached him and began encircling him, at which point he concluded his comments. 

The post BHUSD Board Discusses Student Achievement at Tense Meeting appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

DOGE was established via executive order by President Donald Trump. When announcing the creation of the office, led by Elon Musk, Trump indicated that it would “provide advice and guidance from outside of government,” with a stated goal of streamlining government and bringing savings to taxpayers.

At the Feb 25 board meeting, community member Romi Azevedo expressed concern about the manner in which the Bregy resignation was handled. She also had this to say about Stuart’s post. “The actions of newly elected Board Member Russell Stuart are deeply troubling,” said Azevedo. She continued, “His posting of the BHUSD logo with ‘DOGE’ written next to the letter ‘D’ on social media is not only inappropriate and disrespectful, but it also appears to align with a political agenda that has no place in a public school district.” 

Azevedo also opined that the post violated board bylaws, including those pertaining to personal viewpoints not shared by the entire board. She said that her child, a student within BHUSD, told her, “It is insensitive and disrespectful that we have a leader so immature that connects personal politics to the education of growing children.”

Later in the meeting, Stuart addressed Azevedo’s comments, clarifying his intention with the post. “What [it] means is that it’s an ideological stance that we believe that we’re wasting money on things federally, statewide and especially here.”

He added, “It’s unfortunate that certain people had such intense feelings about my social media post … So, for those that don’t like my post personally, and your emotions take over, I’m sorry. But my job is still the same, and our job is still the same. It’s to effectively and properly spend your tax dollars for the benefit of every single student, and that is exactly what we’re doing.”

The morning after the board meeting, Stuart made additional comments on social media. “At last night’s board meeting, some tried to distort my message and create unnecessary controversy over a lighthearted post. Trying to bully me will NEVER work. Let’s be clear: my priority has always been transparency, accountability, and ensuring that every tax dollar is spent wisely for the benefit of our students. #BHUSDoge.” He also clarified in the post that he was speaking his own views, and not the views of the board.”

On Feb. 27, Stuart provided the Courier with some additional remarks on the matter. 

“I stand by every word I say and that’s what different about me … If you have the type of mindset that believes in the mission of DOGE, which means government efficiency to be efficient with finances, then you’re going to see what it is. If you’re someone who disagrees with that mission, then it expands into any other political ideology that you want to make up in your head. That’s not what the post was. My mission is to uncover spending that I believe is not done properly,” he said. 

Stuart also singled out Tina Wiener, President of the Beverly Hills Education Foundation (BHEF). Wiener attended the Feb. 25 board meeting and was listed as one of the speakers during public comment. However, noting that there was very little time left in that portion of the meeting, Wiener ceded her time to Azevedo, who made the statements pertaining to Stuart’s social media post, set forth above. 

“I think the biggest disappointment for me was seeing Tina Wiener, the President of BHEF, which is our funding raising arm, going against financial efficiency,” Stuart told the Courier. 

When reached by the Courier, Wiener had this response. “I am very supportive of efficiency in government but was not happy with the manner in which the resignation of Dr. Bregy was handled. As for the social media post using the BHUSD letters and colors, I did not feel it was the appropriate messaging to explain the board’s position on their decisions.” 

The post BHUSD Board Member Stuart Defends Social Media Post appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The resignation was announced in a Feb. 21 email to parents and teachers from the BHUSD board. The email referred to Bregy’s “dedication and leadership over the past eight and a half years.” It continued, “His impact on BHUSD has been profound, starting with leading the district’s reconfiguration which allowed for a significant expansion of elective offerings and enriching students’ educational experiences, to prioritizing professional development opportunities for staff and fostering key partnerships within the Beverly Hills community, including the Beverly Hills City Council, the Beverly Hills Education Foundation and our PTAs.”

In an email statement to the Courier, BHUSD Board President Rachelle Marcus said, “Michael’s community involvement was also always evident, and he availed himself in joining many local organizations. His tenure with Beverly Hills Unified has and will going forward make a lasting impact, and I wish him nothing but success in all future endeavors.

At the BHUSD board meeting of Feb. 25, Bregy was mentioned only briefly. Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern said at the close of the meeting, “I just wanted to take a moment to thank Dr. Bregy for his eight years of extremely hard work and a very open-door policy to all teachers, staff, parents and students. I just want to say I’m grateful for his service.”

During public comment, district parent Romi Azevedo voiced frustration that the board “issued a communication on [Bregy’s] behalf, depriving him 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.”

Some wonder if Bregy’s sudden resignation was due to pressure from the board. Jackie Kruger, who has several children in the district, told the Courier, “You don’t have the head of all the things in the school leave in the middle of the second semester without so much as a goodbye or an explanation. Something must have happened.” She added, “We as a community deserve to have some accountability as to why that happened. What was the impetus?”

Acting Superintendent Hasty has spent time before his tenure in Beverly Hills as Assistant Superintendent at Wiseburn Unified School District and Executive Director of Human Resource Services at Los Angeles County Office of Education.

At his first board meeting in his new role, Hasty said to those in attendance, “Please know that we have an exceptional team of leaders, educators and staff who have the capacity, vision and expertise to take our district into a new era of excellence.”

That first board meeting was occasionally contentious. School security had to approach a speaker who began talking over his allotted time before he went back to his seat. 

The situation also grew tense when two individuals voiced complaints about not being allowed to speak—despite waiting some five hours at that point. As the back-and-forth between the two continued, Hasty announced, “I’m going to stop there; we’re going to move forward. If we cannot move forward, we are going to need to call a recess and take a break.” 

He then instructed Board President Rachelle Marcus to “call a recess” and told the board members to “get up,” motioning for them to leave the meeting room. Hasty went on to meet with members of the audience in the hallway. He listened to frustrations for several minutes, then said, “Here’s what we’re going to do, can we go back and sit down? I’m going to go tell [the rest of the board] we have two more speakers…” and later “We’re going to get better for the next meeting, I promise you.” A few minutes later, the board reappeared and listened to the speakers. 

Inheriting a school district facing several controversies and legal actions, Hasty will face hurdles beyond merely frustrated speakers at board meetings. Last Dec 1, teacher and KBEV Executive Producer Romeo Carey was placed on administrative leave. The letter informing him of the administrative leave offered no cause for the suspension, he said. The action against Carey has resulted in an outpouring of support from students and parents, who have expressed their incredulity and displeasure at board meetings for the past few months. Additionally, the district faces claims of racial discrimination and retaliation by current and former teachers and administrators. Athletic Director Tim Ellis has also been accused of sexual harassment in a wrongful termination claim. 

The post Dr. Michael Bregy Resigns as BHUSD Superintendent appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

On Feb 5, Sures’ home was the target of a protest in the early morning. Video on social media shows protesters holding large banners reading “disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest,” and “Jonathan Sures, you will pay until you see your final day.” Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived there while protesters chanted, and some officers carried “less lethal” munitions.

Red handprints were reportedly left on Sures’ garage door at some point during the protest. According to a statement by UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, “Individuals surrounded the vehicle of a Sures family member and prevented that family member’s free movement.” 

The student organizations, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Graduate Students for Justice in Palestine (GSJP) were suspended based on a review of initial reports about the groups’ involvement in the incident, said Frenk’s statement. 

After the protest, SJP released a now-deleted statement on Instagram that the protest was due to the UC’s Board of Regents not working with pro-Palestinian demonstrators to divest funding and investment from Israel. It read in part that university officials “have repeatedly kicked us out of their meetings, canceled forums for public comment, and criminalized our attempts to protest investment policies. We have taken our issues straight to the Regents because they have systematically militarized our campus in response. Over the last eight months, Jay Sures has led the UC’s efforts in suppressing pro-Palestine speech and expression on campus, including through increased militarization and draconian [time, place and manner] policies.”

Sures is Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Beverly Hills-based United Talent Agency, which represents the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). On Feb 5, SJP and GSJP made a statement via social media condemning Sures’ work with the ADL as well his work as a board member of the Los Angeles Police Foundation, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The post also stated that Sures “is one of the unelected officials responsible for protecting UC investments in genocide and weapons manufacturing.” 

Several days after the protest, the Jewish Federation Los Angeles (JFEDLA) released an open letter signed by hundreds of entertainment professionals, celebrities and Jewish religious leaders. Signatories included Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL. The letter calls for “law enforcement and university officials to fully investigate this hateful incident and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable.” It continues, “Furthermore, we urge local elected officials and university leadership to unequivocally condemn the protesters’ unlawful and antisemitic actions and reaffirm their commitment to protecting the safety and dignity of all individuals and groups, including the Jewish community.”

Frenk announced the suspensions on Feb 12. An open letter to the Bruin community said in part, “The Office of Student Conduct is undertaking the standard process for addressing potential violations of UCLA’s student group conduct code. It is conducting an administrative review, and this suspension will remain in effect during the review. If these reports prove true as part of this review, disciplinary action may be taken.”

UCLA’s suspension of SJP follows the same action taken at UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine and UC San Diego. SJP chapters have also been suspended by several other universities across the country. During this suspension, the organizations cannot reserve space for meetings on campus or apply for funding for the student club. 

The post UCLA Suspends Two Pro-Palestinian Student Groups appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

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.” 

The post BHUSD Board Meeting Addresses E-Vehicles, Summer School, Racism Allegations and Media Director appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Following the outbreak of the fires, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Jan. 14 allowing students whose schools were impacted by fires to enroll in other school districts. The Palisades Charter High School had a student body of 2900 students, with the main campus left in an unusable state by the fires. Although many of these students have since switched to the school’s interim online program and virtual class offerings, others prefer to continue their education in person at other school districts, including the BHUSD. 

The BHUSD is in receipt of a total of 151 requests for enrollment of students from schools in the Pacific Palisades and has already enrolled 47 at the time of writing. BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said, “We’ve been in full alignment with the executive order by accepting students … we have ensured that our enrollment remains within the capacity and resources of our school district. We do have a commitment to help our neighbors but also ensure we are providing a high-quality education for our residents as well.”

“We have 47 displaced students across all four high school levels … if we take more there will be no place to put those students,” Bregy said. The main reason for this, he said, is because teachers at Beverly Hills High School are now at maximum capacity and further staff would need to be hired to accommodate more students. 

Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri said, “I think taking 47 students is way beyond what we should’ve taken, it was very generous of us to do so. We were urged—not forced or mandated to do this and we’ve taken funds away from our resident students to give to these 47 students.”

The majority of the students requesting to enroll in the BHUSD are of high school age, with seven requests for the middle school. This has made the enrollment process more challenging as according to Bregy, high school transcripts must be reviewed and assessed on an individual basis with the help of a counselor to determine class sizes and teacher availability.

Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Laura Collins-Williams said that many of the 151 students who requested to enroll had not lost their homes in the Pacific Palisades but had lost their schools.

“To my knowledge, we do not have anyone who has listed that they’ve lost their homes. We’ve had some people enroll as residents as they have relocated to Beverly Hills but of the 151 pending requests, none of those students have lost their homes,” Collins-Williams said. 

The 47 students who have already been enrolled were decided upon before the district finalized who they would prioritize enrollment for. As nonresidents of Beverly Hills, they were enrolled under the executive order that allows the residency requirement to be waived for the 2024/25 calendar year. 

Board Member Russell Stuart raised concerns over a potentially looser prior interpretation of the word “displaced,” which could be used to include students who have not lost their homes but were affected by the fires in other ways, such as poor air quality. 

Effective immediately, new enrollments into the BHUSD from areas impacted by the fires, including those in the 90272 zip code, must provide a FEMA card or insurance claim proof to show their residence has been deemed uninhabitable. 

Displaced students will be enrolled for the remainder of the 2024/25 academic year. 

The post BHUSD Suspends Palisades Charter High School Enrollment appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

A City Council Liaison/BHUSD Committee meeting on Jan. 26, 2024, with then-Mayor Julian Gold, Councilmember Lili Bosse and former BHUSD Board Members Noah Margo and Mary Wells discussed the future joint usage of the Hawthorne campus once El Rodeo Elementary School opened in the fall of 2024. Committee members discussed centralizing all preschool programs to create an ECC at the Hawthorne campus. They also discussed moving the District Offices from the Lasky Drive site to the Hawthorne campus.

Over the last year, the city has successfully obtained state licenses for each of the operating ECC classrooms at the Hawthorne campus and is now working with the State Department of Social Services to finalize the license for a new additional preschool classroom at Horace Mann Elementary School. The BHUSD has also moved the majority of operations that took place at the Lasky Drive office to the Hawthorne campus, including holding District School Board meetings on site. 

A survey created by both the city of Beverly Hills and the BHUSD in February 2024 was distributed to community members about program offerings they would like to see at the center. 

Director of Community Services, Stephanie Harris, presented updates on these proposed programs to the committee. “We’d like to introduce Before and After care. This program would allow parents to have the ability to drop their children off prior to the start or keep them there at the conclusion of preschool, providing assistance to parents that need to go to work as well as need assistance with pick-up and drop-off of their siblings at the elementary school locations. We’d also like the opportunity to offer Parent & Me classes,” Harris said. The earliest of these programs would begin during the summer/fall period of this year. 

Harris also informed the committee that it would be beneficial to establish a welcome center staffed with city personnel, where families could learn about and register for the various programs being offered. The city is currently deciding on the best place to locate this welcome center on the school site. 

Plans for a Transitional Two program are underway, whereby students and parents would attend programming in a classroom setting. “This would allow for teachers and parents to work together to acclimate students into a classroom setting and better prepare them for entry into our preschool program and then into the district’s Transitional Kindergarten and elementary schools,” Harris said. 

The implementation of a half-day preschool program is also under consideration. If approved, staff would begin working with the Department of Social Services to license an additional preschool room and begin the hiring process for additional preschool staff. This program has a potential start date of winter/spring 2026. 

The BHUSD offices and ECC classrooms will share the same Hawthorne campus site. As a result, the committee reviewed a revised district-proposed site plan to discuss how best to segregate and secure the spaces used for the ECC programs from the district office areas. Although it was originally planned to divide the campus into distinct district and ECC spaces, the layout of the campus has posed a few challenges in achieving this. The committee is currently working on creating a secure entrance for the ECC portion of the campus. 

Friedman emphasized the importance of making the campus secure for preschool children to help achieve the ECC’s ultimate goals. “The goal is we want to create an environment at the preschool so people can enjoy our offerings and matriculate from the ECC to the school district,” he said. 

Committee members reiterated that the ECC will serve as a strong introduction to life in the BHUSD. Wells noted, “Just by coming and going, you’ll be exposed to what the culture of being at BHUSD is, and it’ll make you want to stay. Most importantly, it is a place to create community for young families that starts at preschool.”

Manouchehri added, “I think it’s very important to come back to the vision for the ECC and to show the community that the ECC is not an afterthought or an offshoot of BHUSD. It’s the starting point to BHUSD. And so, as we develop the ECC and really tap into its potential, my hope would be that parents … know this is just the beginning of their BHUSD journey.” 

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Many described their positive experiences with Carey, who runs Beverly Hills High School’s KBEV Channel 6. Several speakers became emotional. 

“Mr. Carey is irreplaceable,” said one student who identified themselves as a BHHS senior. “KBEV would never be the same without him. He’s the heart and soul of the program … he has given so much of himself to this program and students, and his contributions cannot be overstated.” 

In an email to the Courier regarding his suspension, Carey said he received a letter from the district dated Dec. 1, 2024, informing him that he was being put on leave. The letter offered no cause for the suspension, he said. 

However, Carey had recently refused to comply with the district’s request that he keep a student video segment off the air. 

“At the heart of this issue is the district’s retaliation against me for refusing to censor a journalism video produced by my students,” Carey wrote. “The district retaliated against me for standing up to unethical demands and protecting my students’ First Amendment rights.”

The student segment in question, which remains published on KBEV’s YouTube channel, features six students discussing an alleged incident involving Mark Mead, the district’s executive director of school safety. The students claim that during a Nov. 5 rally celebrating Donald Trump’s presidential win, Mead used unnecessary physical force on a student. 

“Everybody was enjoying themselves, and then Mark Mead came into like, the middle of the circle, and, like, tried to break everyone up,” said one student in the video. “He grabbed this kid …  I saw him grab him, like, for a second, and then just like, try to push him away.”

A representative for BHUSD said that they could not comment on the reason or reasons for Carey’s suspension because it is a personnel matter. With regards to the outpouring of support for Carey at the board meeting, Krissy Austin, the district’s executive assistant to the superintendent, acknowledged the unusual amount of public interest in the situation. 

“We want to reaffirm that Beverly Hills Unified School District is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment where students and parents can engage responsibly in the democratic process,” said Austin in an email. “We fully support thoughtful and respectful participation in public comment at Board of Education meetings and remain committed to fostering a school community where all students, parents, and staff feel heard and valued.”

The content of the video segment in question was touched on briefly at the Jan. 28 meeting, however the focus remained on Carey and his lasting impact on BHHS students and the media program. Several current students noted that since Carey’s suspension, they have been left with nothing to do during their regularly scheduled class time. 

“During the last week of school last semester, my teacher, Mr. Carey, did not show up, and we were left in the hallway without a substitute,” said one student. “Eventually, we were informed to go sit in the library doing completely nothing but staring at our phones.”

Others pointed out what they described as “bias” in the treatment of Carey as compared to the treatment of other BHHS and BHUSD employees. BHUSD is currently facing a number of administrative claims and lawsuits that include, among other things, claims of sexual harassment on the part of the athletic director and of a systemic refusal to combat racism. 

“In the past few months, many allegations have been levied against BHUSD,” said one speaker. “The administrators at the center of these allegations … are still actively working for the district while Mr. Romeo Carey, who was so well-loved by his community that in under 72 hours, over 600 people have signed a petition to bring him back, has been placed on administrative leave for over a month. Am I the only one who notices a bias there?”

The Jan. 28 meeting also included statements from members of the public requesting that BHUSD accept more students from Palisades Charter High School, many of whom have been put into online schooling in the wake of the Palisades Fire. The fire destroyed much of the school. 

One Palisades High parent expressed her anger over allegedly being told that her children would have a spot at BHHS, then being told the opposite. 

“The students of Pali High have suffered a great trauma in recent weeks,” she said. “They have watched their school burn, they have watched their community burn, and many have seen their own homes burn … I would have rather you slammed the door in my face on day one than lead me to believe and have hope that you would take them. They have already had so much taken away from them and you guys are now adding to the pain.”

Later, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy addressed the issue as part of his report to the board. Noting that helping victims of the fires has been “a high priority,” he emphasized that district officials “will continue to do everything that we can to help.” 

“That’s going to be an ongoing relationship that we have,” he said. “And not just Palisades, but other school districts as well. There have been several schools that have reached out to us and have asked for some assistance in one way or another and we are there for them, just like we would hope that they would be there for us.” 

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On Nov. 1, 2024, Robbin Cafagna, who served as an assistant and head coach of middle and high school tennis between June 2021 and June 2023, filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging that Tim Ellis, the district’s executive director of athletics, subjected her to ongoing harassment and retaliation.

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“While many participants came from career technical education pathways such as fashion, journalism, TV production and audio media production, others applied because they were eager to explore areas they may not typically have access to,” said Rebecca Starkins, Executive Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives for the Beverly Hills Unified School District. 

“I didn’t realize prior to this day that there was a great amount of work done behind the scenes to create a polished and seemingly effortless show day,” said Aunaleah Ellis, a 12th-grade student at BHHS. “The Beverly Hilton was a beautiful hotel, and it was amazing how it was transformed for the ‘Hollywood’s Party of the Year,’ the 2025 Golden Globes. I loved seeing the different roles in the production and the individuals focused on their work. It was inspiring to see the production staff work together to create this beautiful event.”

With support from Golden Globes executives, city personnel, crew and celebrities, students developed their talents and gained invaluable insight into journalism, event production, fashion design, marketing, and public relations. 

On the first day of the program, 22 students were selected to participate in the ‘Golden Globes Insider’ portion and tour the Beverly Hilton Hotel as it was being transformed. The group had the chance to see how the red carpet was constructed, tour interview booths and media trailers, and learn the technical elements of producing a globally broadcast event. According to the Golden Globes, the 82nd annual awards show ratings surpassed 10 million viewers and had 40 million social media interactions. 

On the second day of the program, nine BHHS students had the chance to interview key behind-the-scenes players, including Rick Pizante, Senior Vice President of Dick Clark Productions, Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes President, and Sam Kim, Hotel Manager of the Beverly Hilton. Additional interviewees included Golden Globes Executive Producer and Showrunner Glenn Weiss, Golden Globes Head Engineer David Crivelli, Golden Globes Art Director and Red-Carpet Designer Zeya Maurer and more.

The program culminated on the day of the Golden Globes, where six BHHS students, dressed in black tie, were strategically placed on the red carpet to attract the attention of celebrities and conduct interviews on the scene. Students spoke with over 30 Hollywood stars, including Kerry Washington, Nicole Kidman, Adam Sandler, Glenn Close and Jennifer Coolidge. 

“She was so open and genuine,” BHHS student Nora Nikfarjam said regarding her interview with Glenn Close. “She talked about the importance of perseverance in a creative career, and I’ll never forget her saying that failure is just another step toward success.” 

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Highlighting a strong partnership between the city of Beverly Hills and the district, the event was attended by several community leaders including Vice Mayor Sharona Nazarian, Councilmembers John Mirisch, Craig Corman and Mary Wells, Beverly Hills Chief of Police Mark Stainbrook and Deputy City Manager Keith Sterling.

Nazarian told the Courier, “It was an honor to swear in two strong, capable women who join a board that now includes four remarkable female leaders—a reflection of the growing trend of women stepping into leadership roles in our community. As this new board of five steps into its role, I want to acknowledge the incredible teachers, administrators and staff who form the backbone of our schools. Our community has entrusted them all with our most precious assets—their children—and I have every confidence in their ability to lead with purpose, compassion and strength as we work together to build a brighter and more united future for our district.”

The event opened on a high note, with performances by the Beverly Hills High School Madrigal Singers led by their teacher Ethan Smith and a rendition of “God Bless America” by Joy Weiser. Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy remarked upon the district’s achievements and the collaborative leadership of the outgoing and incoming board members, before the board turned their attention to a resolution honoring current President Amanda Stern.

“It’s been a real honor over the last four years,” Stern said, “And it’s an honor to continue to serve an incredible city and incredible District.” Stern will remain an active member, having recently won a second term serving on the BHUSD board.

Heartfelt gratitude was also expressed to outgoing board member Noah Margo. Margo has an extensive history in the education sector, having served as a dedicated member of the BHUSD for 13 years, making him one of the longest- serving elected officials on the Board of Education. Margo was commended by board members for his leadership and contributions to the BHUSD throughout various initiatives. With a strong focus on student growth, Margo allocated funding to raise student achievement, supported the PSAT and SAT for all high school students, expanded access to AP courses and advocated for classroom-based solutions for student success, alongside many more initiatives. After a detailed resolution was read out, several board members and community members offered tributes and expressed their thanks for Margo’s leadership, dedication and positive impact on the district and its students over the years.

Swearing in new board member Sabag, Nazarian said, “You’re no stranger to this district. You’ve been a deeply invested parent, always prioritizing the success of our students and the wellbeing of our children. I know you’re ready to lead with strength and tackle the challenges ahead with courage.”

“I do not and will never take this role as trustee for granted. I am truly honored and thrilled to accept the opportunity to serve on the Beverly Hills Unified School District Governing Board. I’m immensely grateful for the trust and support of our Beverly Hills community,” Sabag said.

Mirisch then administered the oath of office to Russell Stuart, who is assuming his new role while continuing to recover from injuries sustained in a carjacking incident last month during the Rodeo Drive holiday lighting celebrations. Stuart is looking forward to bringing private sector principles and efficiency to the school district, such that it can operate with the same level of responsibility, transparency and fiscal discipline that successful businesses do. 

Stuart told the Courier, “[The ceremony] was incredibly humbling, and I’m filled with gratitude for the trust this community has placed in me. As I step into this role, I’m excited to collaborate with parents, teachers and my fellow board members to strengthen our schools. I’m committed to applying private-sector efficiency, accountability and innovation to ensure our children receive a world-class education. Together, we can build a future where every child feels safe, supported and ready to succeed.”

After swearing in the new board members, the new board president, vice president and clerk were elected and agreed upon. Rachelle Marcus was nominated and elected unanimously as the new board president. Judy Manouchehri was nominated for the vice president role, and this nomination was seconded and approved unanimously by the board. Manouchehri’s father-in-law, Parviz Manouchehri, administered the oath of office, officially installing Judy as the new board vice president. Finally, Stern was nominated and chosen as the new board clerk. The board also discussed and assigned various liaison roles, including City Liaison, Joint Powers Agreement, Health and Safety Commission, Human Relations, Recreation and Parks, District Finance Committee, Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, Wellness Committee and CTE Committee.

When opening the floor to public comments, several students spoke about their disappointment over the suspension of Beverly Hills High School teacher Romeo Carey, who oversaw the student media platform, KBEV. Carey was recently suspended after students published a video about a controversial incident that took place at the school. Parent and graduate of BHHS, Robbie Curtis, told attendees that, “Outrage is brewing not just in the hallways of the high school, but throughout the greater Beverly Hills Community,” about Carey’s suspension. 

Describing Carey as “perhaps the most admired, impactful, popular and beloved teacher at BHHS,” Curtis urged the board to conclude their investigation into the incident and imminently reinstate Carey as a teacher in the classroom.  

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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.” 

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“Providing pathways and academies at BHHS is essential to bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world career experiences,” Dr. Dustin Seemann, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, told the Courier. “These programs offer students invaluable exposure to fields and industries that can’t be fully replicated within school walls, helping them make informed choices about their future. By immersing students in professional environments like our hospitality industry in Beverly Hills, we empower them to enter the college application process with clarity and confidence, equipped to pursue paths that align with their true interests and aspirations.”

The early success of the Career Academy is notable. One BHHS graduate who was enrolled in the program last year attended a job fair at L’Ermitage over the summer and was already familiar with the hiring staff. “They ended up hiring him out of high school, which was his dream, to work full time in the hospitality industry before going off to college,” Cindy Dubin, Coordinator of Career Technical Education at BHHS, told the Courier. 

“The host hotels are amazing,” Dubin told the Courier. The hotels feature a different department each month, ranging from food and beverage, business and marketing, finance, housekeeping, security, engineering and others. “So, it’s just to hear how people ended up doing what they’re doing, and if you’re dedicated, work hard and are open-minded, you just never know where your talents will bring you.”

After a representative from Les Roche, a leading hospitality school in Europe, came to speak to career classes at BHHS last year and learned about the new program, she wanted to get involved too. As a result, Les Roches offered one Career Academy student a scholarship to attend one of their teen business hotel hospitality programs over the summer in Switzerland and provided $1,000 toward airfare. “And now, because of that school doing it, other schools and colleges are hearing about it and wanting to support the program and encourage kids,” Dubin said. 

Students rotate so they can experience a workday at each of the hotels at least once. This year, the program features signature events for returning students. “I wanted to have something more enhanced for them, so I’ve asked the hotels to give us events. It can be an afternoon tea; it can be a wedding for 500, and they will take one to three students who can then come shadow or observe things in motion.” A few weeks ago, L’Ermitage had students working as lobby greeters for a ribbon cutting of their new restaurant, Costa Covo Osteria. 

Last year, three students had the opportunity to shadow staff at the Beverly Wilshire as they were setting up for conferences and banquets. 

Students in the Career Academy must wear a uniform that includes a black blazer with a logo and either black dress shoes, new white tennis shoes or clean black tennis shoes with no graphics. “If they show up at the bus and they’re not in the proper attire, they can’t go,” Dubin said. “There are just so many life lessons and it’s about being confident inside and out. This repetitive interaction with professionals is just such a direct way to help make that happen.” 

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The construction of the new athletic building at BHHS has been in the planning process for many years, and it will include the construction of a new two-story, approximately 45,000-square-foot gymnasium building—including combination basketball and volleyball courts, bleachers, weight training facilities, locker and team rooms, and various other athletic spaces—a separate 25-yard, 10-lane competition outdoor swimming pool—including a detached storage and pool equipment building, and retaining walls. The new building will replace the current Konheim Athletic Building and will also bear the Konheim Family name. Following completion of the new building, the existing Konheim Athletic Building will be demolished. The new facilities will complement the existing recently refurbished Swim Gym. 

In March, following a competitive process, Swinerton Builders was selected for the Lease-Leaseback construction services for the new athletic pavilion, which will consist of an estimated cost of under $60,000,000, and the board approved this selection in May, along with a preconstruction services agreement. Upon approval, the contractors would begin the construction phase of the project, closing off a surface lot and the four tennis courts, which are currently adjacent to the Swim Gym.

At its Sept. 24 meeting, Board Member Noah Margo expressed concerns over egress difficulties arising from visitors walking from anticipated new parking lots on the south side of the BHHS to the athletic facilities. The construction team explained that they’re currently working on a plan with the city of Beverly Hills and Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy to combat these issues. Given such considerations, the board approved the contract in a 3-0 vote while Board Member Noah Margo abstained. The board also approved an agreement for districtwide security camera design services, including vape detectors for bathrooms at BHHS and Beverly Vista Middle School, and an updated version of the BHUSD Governance Handbook which includes the calendar schedule for BHUSD’s Strategic Plan meetings.

In recent months, the BHUSD construction program, under the direction of their bond management team, Fonder-Salari, along with BHUSD Executive Director of Construction Will Karrat, has been lauded for its successes. Earlier this year, the Construction Management Association (CMA) of America’s Southern California Chapter recognized El Rodeo Elementary School in the category of educational projects which cost over $50,000,000. 

Board Member Judy Manouchehri told the Courier, “I am very pleased to see our construction program is moving forward with speed, transparency and in accordance with the schedule and budgeted bond dollars, as revised in these last 2.5 years.” 

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A program of the nonprofit nonpartisan News Literacy Project (NLP), the fellowship teaches students to navigate the current media landscape and become active participants in civil society, said NLP Senior Vice President of Educator Engagement Ebonee Otoo.

“Our mission is … that all students in the U.S. are skilled in news literacy when they graduate high school,” she said.   

The fellowship is effectively split into two parts, with districts devising an “action plan” during the first year and then focusing on implementation in the second year, Otoo told the Courier. Participating districts then have an unofficial third year where they become fellowship alumni and share their model and experience with other school systems, she added.

“We provide support. We continue to meet with them on a quarterly basis. So, it’s not like after the two years we abandoned them,” Otoo said. “We want to make sure that everything that we put in place, that the action plan is actually working, that we’re still helping collect data to see what students are learning and when.”

Otoo noted that media literacy is not federally required in public schools, but California legislators have made efforts to increase media literacy training. Last October, Gov. Gavin Newsom approved AB 873, a bill that requires state officials to consider requiring media literacy training in English Language Arts.

“We’re just trying to be proactive in our approach by making sure that we understand what resources are out there, being able to ensure that we have opportunities to be able to train up our teachers in preparation, and really understand what other people are doing,” BHUSD Assistant Superintendent, Education Services, Dustin Seemann told the Courier.

BHUSD has already taken strides to teach its students how to responsibly consume information, and it has received a Common Sense Media certification recognizing that more than 75% of the student body has been trained in digital media skills including privacy laws and password protection.

Seemann said the district is committed to combatting misinformation and enhancing digital safety outside of the classroom, too. Staff educates parents on how they can keep their kids safe online and partners with the city to host events that bolster this message, he said.

He added that the district also works to show that if used responsibly, technology can help students learn.

“You can utilize it to leverage other resources and expand your knowledge on topics,” Seemann said.

With the school year recently underway, staff have held two planning meetings and formed a committee including Seemann, Beverly Hills High School Head Librarian Jessica Jay, a social studies teacher and Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy to plan next steps, Seemann said.

“We really have to figure out before moving forward … where do we want this to live? Where would it best serve the students? Where would they get the most information out of it?” Seemann added.

The News Literacy Project was founded in 2008 by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Alan C. Miller after he visited his daughter’s classroom and realized that news literacy skills needed to be implemented in the instruction.

Though disinformation continues to affect American society and politics, Otoo is hopeful that by creating a national model for teaching young people to thoughtfully consume news, the organization can be a lasting solution for a persistent problem.

She added that the organization does not lobby for legislation, though she welcomes legislation inspired by the NLP model.

“If our work encourages legislation, if the educators that use our resources encourage and advocate for legislation to pass in their states, then great, that’s wonderful,” she said.

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Though the board members were unified in their vote, Board Member Judy Manouchehri raised some concerns about how the district communicates academic performance to parents and families, touching off a wide-ranging discussion about parental participation and the district’s plans for the coming year.

Manouchehri said that after reviewing elementary students’ academic performance over the past few years, she was concerned that she hadn’t previously known the percentage of students lagging behind state math standards.

“The progress monitoring is a little bit beefed up as compared to last year, but not that much,” Manouchehri said. “There is a missing component here, and that is the communication and the partnership at home.”

While Horace Mann Elementary School administers i-Ready Diagnostic tests—which measure learning progress—three times a year, it is unclear if the results of those tests are shared with parents, Manouchehri said.

Dr. Dustin Seemann, Assistant Superintendent, Education Services, said the results from these tests and others are reviewed routinely at public study sessions, and he invited parents to involve themselves in this process.

“If your kid scored a two on the [California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress] exam, we are [an] open door,” Seemann said. “Let’s sit and talk and create an individualized plan.”

Board President Dr. Amanda Stern said that at “parent universities” and other events meant to involve parents in their children’s education, the parents who show up are already active in their child’s education, and Manouchehri added that it can be hard for parents to make the time on a school night.

Board Member Noah Margo said the board has for many years emphasized measurable goals when drafting the strategic plan, and “what’s going on in the house … is not measurable.”

“The reason that component was never really put in a strategic plan before is because we can’t measure it,” he added. “And if we can’t measure it and have data, we can’t act on it.”

Student Board Member Remy Javidzad agreed that it is crucial for parents to be aware of their children’s scores and overall performance, and he supported ideas like creating a sign-off sheet showing that students are discussing these things with their parents.

However, whatever new policies the board might implement, it will take time before these are reflected in students’ test scores, Javidzad added.

“The scores are not going to … jump to everyone meeting or exceeding our standards,” he said.

During the Sept. 10 meeting the board also voted to approve several contracts for programs and facilities, including upgrades to the Horace Mann Elementary School restrooms and parking lot totaling more than $34,000 and a renewal of a $22,000 subscription to Zoom.

Before voting to approve the Zoom subscription, Manouchehri asked how widely the district uses Zoom, and Bregy said that it has been hugely beneficial. When Stern suggested the district consider Google Meets as an alternative, Bregy said that using the software during the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for families to access online programs, and the board voted unanimously in favor of renewing the subscription.   

The board also planned to vote on a resolution supporting Proposition 2, a $10 billion bond on the ballot in the November general election to fund infrastructure improvements at public schools across California.

Some of the board members disagreed on the financial ramifications this could have for the city, and they agreed to continue the vote until the next board meeting so they could take a closer look at the details.

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BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said the draft strategic plan is usually presented during a board study session, but he decided to review the plan during a regular board meeting to ensure accountability as the district strives to meet its goals.   

“You should have awareness of the goals that we have as a school district,” Bregy said. “We’re proud of the work that we’re doing. It’s tough work. It’s necessary work, and as we begin to move into this cycle, we’re going to share with you this timeline.”

This year’s plan slated for final approval in September has an overarching theme of “Educational Excellence,” which has three main components: supporting positive student behavior, engaging students in learning, and growing and developing professionally.

“This is kind of where the rubber meets the road,” Bregy said.  “We’ve got a lot of work to do in front of us, [but] I do believe we have the right people in the right places to make this happen.”

The principals of each school presented their individual plans for achieving the district’s goals, and while the details differed, there was broad overlap of each of the school’s priorities. Each stressed the need to routinely monitor students’ academic progress throughout the year and offer specialized help to those struggling.

They emphasized the need to pay similarly close attention to students’ mental health and behavioral issues. In El Rodeo Elementary School, staff will use Aeries to measure discipline referrals, and are aiming for a 10% reduction. At Beverly Vista Middle School, staff will collect data on Classroom Managed Behavior and Admin Managed Behaviors and will implement “substitute protocols” to improve substitute effectiveness.

Each school also set a goal of reaching at least 95% attendance and identified different ways to monitor absenteeism rates.  At Beverly Hills High School, staff will share monthly attendance goals with teachers and counselors, and partner with the Parent Teacher Student Association for attendance celebrations and awards.

District principals also discussed their schools’ scores in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, which measure if students meet or exceed state educational standards. In 2023/24, the percentage of El Rodeo Elementary School students who met or exceeded state standards in English language arts was 79%, up from 75% in 2023/22, but still below the 80% measured in 2021/22, Principal Sarah Kaber said.

For the 2024/25 school year, Kaber wants to top that year’s performance, and set a goal of 82%.   

In math, El Rodeo students have shown more improvement. Last year 78% of students met or exceeded state standards, up from 74% in 2023/22 and 69% in 2021/22. This year, Kaber hopes to reach 81%, she said.

At Horace Mann Elementary School, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding state standards in English language arts dropped to 71% last year, down from 72% in 2022/23 and 74% in 2021/22. In 2024/25, Principal Ontrece Ellerbe is hoping to turn things around, with a goal of 76% percent, she said.

In math, scores have been steadier. 64% of students have met or exceeded state standards in both 2023/22 and 2022/23, down from 65% in 2021/22. This year, Ellerbe is aiming for 69%   

Beverly Vista Middle School Principal Richard Waters, meanwhile, said CAASPP scores had declined for almost all grade levels since the 2021/22 school year, although eighth graders have improved by almost 10 percentage points in that time.

At Beverly Hills High School, students’ English language arts CAASSP scores fell to 64% from 71% in 202/21, while their math scores increased to 49% from 42% in the same time period.

“We don’t love seeing that number stay below 50%, so we’re going to talk about some ways in which we’re going to [improve] that,” BHHS Principal Drew Stewart said.

Stewart also noted a juxtaposition between the student’s CAASP scores and AP test scores. Last year, out of 438 AP students, 368 (84%) scored above a three on the AP test. Since AP classes can count as college credits, thereby reducing the cost of tuition, students might be more determined to perform on those tests, Stewart said.

Board President Dr. Amanda Stern added that test scores should not be seen as the only indication of a student’s aptitude, as some students struggle with taking tests even if they grasp the material.

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Former Board Member Mary Wells vacated her seat after being elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in March, and incumbent Board President Dr. Amanda Stern, whose term expires in December, told the Courier she plans to run again. Board Member Noah Margo does not plan to seek reelection after his term expires in December, he said.

Ronen has lived most of her life in the city, after immigrating from Iran at the age of 5. A graduate of Hawthorne Middle School and Beverly Hills High School, Ronen continued to live in Beverly Hills while attending law school at USC. After getting married, she and her husband lived for a few years near Beverly Grove and near Westwood, before returning to Beverly Hills to raise their three children, one of whom is attending Hawthorne while the other two go to El Rodeo Elementary School.

She told the Courier that the strength of the community has been essential to her professional and personal success. 

“I had amazing teachers from when I was a kid that I still get lunch with,” Ronen said. “Now experiencing that all over again through the eyes of my kids, it’s my turn to give back. I feel not just an obligation, but a pride to do that.” 

Ronen is running on a platform of Excellence in Education, as she looks to restore BHUSD’s standing as one of the country’s preeminent school districts. Though she acknowledges the district’s reputation has slipped since she was a student, due in part to outdated facilities and the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been recent strides she wants to push further. 

She cited the Pathways for Success program, which gives middle and high school students opportunities to gain real-world experience in fields ranging from fashion design to medicine, as a prime example. If elected to the board, Ronen plans to find new community relationships, offering students even more pathways to explore.

“I think it’s the right opportunity now to really focus on that, and really focus on seeing how those pathways can be best implemented, with the goal that we’re going to be the top tier,” Ronen said. 

As AI continues to evolve, Ronen sees the technology as another opportunity for innovation, though district officials also must stay on the cutting edge on how to reduce AI’s potential harms, she said. She says that her career as a trust and estates attorney positions her to lead this charge.

“My background … with estates and people’s trusts, is finding ways to stay innovative, and I think that has to be implemented … when we’re dealing with AI and tech,” Ronen said. “I think it’s also really, really important to be with people who understand that, and they’re willing and ready to do the work and research to keep up with it.”

Five Beverly Vista Middle School students were expelled in March for making and disseminating AI-generated nude pictures of their classmates, landing the district in the national conversation about AI’s potential dangers in the classroom.

Ronen also said that improved facilities are essential for maintaining the kind of community that makes BHUSD stand out, and she would again draw on her legal experience to ensure the district’s construction projects remain on time and within budget.   

She said that in recent years, the district has made significant improvements to be more transparent about its construction spending and signing better contracts, and Ronen said she was committed to staying this course and being open with the community if setbacks happen.

While Ronen lauded BHUSD board members and the district’s construction staff for moving fast to open the new El Rodeo Elementary School campus, she thinks the district needs to put an equal priority on finishing work at Beverly Hills High School. 

According to a May 2024 construction update, the modernization of buildings B3 and B4 is underway, Building C and the drop-off area are in the pre-construction phase, and construction officials are working on the planning and design of the South Site Athletic Facilities and the Grand Lawn.

“When we have a situation where we feel like we’re under construction still, it’s hard to get that high school to feel like home,” Ronen said. 

Ronen has run for a seat on the board before. She filed nomination papers two years ago, but quickly withdrew after realizing that campaigning was a much more involved process than she realized.

This time around, Ronen feels much more prepared for the campaign. She has spoken to people who served on the board about their experiences and served for the past year on the Beverly Hills Education Foundation, where she learned about the intricacies that make the district thrive.

“It gave me the confidence to think, ‘OK, if I can help here, then maybe I can help in other parts as well,”’ Ronen said. 

The election is scheduled for Nov. 5, and residents can file nomination forms with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk starting July 15. 

The post Ronen Announces BHUSD Board Candidacy appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The fourth-grade class at El Rodeo has been the subject of numerous parent concerns, who have complained about behavioral issues and large class sizes. There are currently three planned fourth-grade sections at El Rodeo, each approaching 29 students, though Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said enrollment numbers fluctuate, and it is hard to predict if spaces will open by the start of classes. 

The board largely agreed that without adding more seats, parents might be forced to enroll their children at schools far from where they live or take elementary age siblings to two different schools, which goes against the district’s aims of keeping students in their “home schools” and promoting sustainability.    

Ensuring families can bring their children to schools near their homes will keep BHUSD competitive against private schools, Board President Dr. Amanda Stern said.  

“We want to remain attractive and desirable to our families,” Stern said. “If you … invested in a house, and you can set your sights on the school down the street, and you can’t go there because it’s full or whatever, I think that that it would be very unfortunate and very unfavorable for our district,” Stern said.

Board Member Judy Manouchehri said this could be especially important in the coming years, as she predicts enrollment to grow after the opening of the new El Rodeo campus and the investments in shade structures and other renovations at Horace Mann.  

“We had a build it and they will come mentality, and now they’re coming,” Manouchehri said. “I think that it would be really good for our trajectory, our growth and our stability, for families to know that we prioritize the neighborhood feeling.”  

Board Member Noah Margo, however, cautioned that opening additional grade sections—and hiring additional teachers—could set a costly precedent. If the district were to add another fourth-grade class at El Rodeo, the parents of those students could have similar complaints next year, when the class sizes increase again, he added. 

“The reason that years ago, those policies were put in place was … to protect the finances,” Margo said. “Because if we don’t have something in place, and we can always just add another classroom … the more we do it, the more it’s going to hurt our pocketbook.”    

Behavioral problems have also been a consistent complaint among fourth-grade parents, and there was some disagreement among the board during an earlier discussion about contracts for five mental health and behavioral professionals totaling almost $600,000. 

Given the high sum, on top of investments the district has already made in mental health support, Board Member Rachelle Marcus said she wanted to know if there was an overarching plan to address students’ ongoing behavioral problems. 

Margo said that approving these contracts would be trying to solve the behavioral issues by “playing whack-a-mole,” and the board should take a closer look at data and statistics before deciding on a way forward.  

“Why are we a data-driven district only when it’s convenient for us,” Margo said.

Bregy said the district has collected “qualitative” data about students’ social and emotional wellness, but it could provide more specific information over the course of the year.

“In behavior, we say we want direction, not perfection,” said Stern, a board-certified educational psychologist. “There are so many complex variables that you can’t just say, ‘Oh, you do this and boom, the behavior is over,’ because we’re dealing with humans. We’re dealing with multiple factors.”  

Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Laura Collins-Williams said that each of these professionals play valuable roles in the district’s respective mental health offerings, and they have had measurable impacts beyond just the fourth-grade class.

She said that students with “death dates” on which they had planned to commit suicide received enough support to graduate, while students also receive support for issues at home including substance abuse, divorce and grief. 

“We are making an impact, and to not have these services in place would put children and families in jeopardy,” Collins-Williams said.

In response to a question from Margo about the district’s therapy services, Collin-Williams said there is a “referral system” in which she determines a student’s need and then speaks with a therapist to devise a treatment plan.  

Margo said there are likely many BHUSD students who receive outside therapy and do not know how to access the district’s services. He worried that eligible students are being prevented from getting help from the district.

“I am detecting some inequity in this in some areas,” Margo said. “It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I’m concerned about its sustainability.” 

The board voted to approve all five contracts, with Margo dissenting on each. 

The post BHUSD Tackles Challenges Ahead of School Year appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The Municipal League is a nonprofit that was founded in 1962. It is composed of Beverly Hills residents who want to be more involved in city government and advocate for public interest issues.

The evening’s meeting began with a discussion of current and former proposed development in the city. Municipal League Chairman Thomas White boasted about the group’s most recent win in stopping the Cheval Blanc Hotel project. According to White, the group successfully raised money and urged people in the community to vote against the construction of the nine-story hotel on Beverly Hills’ world-famous Rodeo Drive, ultimately resulting in the cancellation of the project. 

When the league was first formed, 62 years ago, by former mayors and by community leaders, they had a very important mission. Even in those early days, the founders understood the critical importance of maintaining our residential quality of life,” said White. “Why? Because it is the foundation for our entire economic system. People come to Beverly Hills not because there are hotels here or more hotels to come. They come to Beverly Hills because of the quality, the elegance, the style, the celebrity.” 

The current members of the Municipal League were all in agreement that the city should prioritize the preservation of single-family homes before building upwards like close neighbors Century City and West Hollywood.

Councilmember Craig Corman, a former Planning Commissioner, spoke about his experience approving new construction. “I always felt that preserving quality of life really meant preserving things we like and reasonably expect to continue to be there,” he said, explaining that he wants to maintain the current architectural landscape of Beverly Hills.

Corman addressed the topic of builder’s remedy projects. “I know that there are a lot of people who are concerned about projects,” said Corman. “I’ve had phone calls and emails from people about projects in their neighborhoods in the last two months since I took office.”

Corman also addressed the topic of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) numbers, which require the city to plan for more than 3,000 new units in its Housing Element. 

“From my perspective, we will use whatever legal means we can to vet these projects,” he said. “When people propose these projects, we will vet them according to law, and we’ll make sure that they follow all the laws, and we will process all these projects according to the laws. We have not processed many of these projects so far.”

On the other hand, the city has shown itself to be adept at modernizing historical buildings, especially those that benefit students. Beverly Hills Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy spoke about construction updates. 

El Rodeo Elementary School, which will host its grand reopening in August, will be open for public tours in July. As the Courier has reported, the campus’ transformation combines historical remnants of the school’s architecture with updated classrooms that will make learning more efficient. Bregy also announced the construction of an updated Konheim Athletic Building at Beverly Hills High School. The current building will be knocked down and a new building, including state-of-the-art athletic facilities and an Olympic-sized outdoor pool, will take its place in 2026.

“We’re building for the next generation of students,” said Bregy.

The district has also been updating its approach to student safety. “We have a command center that acts just like that real time watch center that Chief Stainbrook has put into place,” said Bregy. “And we modeled ourselves after what’s happening in the city with increased security at our schools. We have armed security at each of our schools because that, we thought, was necessary. You can’t have positive teaching and learning in an environment where you feel safe if you don’t have the proper security.”

The police department has also made improvements in officer safety. So far this year, crime rates are down 15% from last year and arrests are up about 30%, according to BHPD Chief Mark Stainbrook. At the meeting, he discussed how drones have been at the forefront of law enforcement technology and even revealed crime scene footage from drones.

This technology has made the community safer, said Stainbrook. 

It can also be used to locate victims who are in danger. “If you call 911 right now, we would geolocate your phone to where you are and immediately put cameras and drones where you are and then direct officers to your location,” explained Stainbrook. “So, our response is very fast to getting to the victim of a crime and then getting to the suspect of the crime.”

When residents at the meeting asked Stainbrook about challenges he faces in the community, he turned the conversation around, explaining that technology and resources cost money that comes from the revenue hotels and tourists bring into the city. Recently, revenue has gone down and the police budget has decreased from previous years. “The budget’s rough for the next five years,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s Beverly Hills or not. This technology costs money. It’s very expensive to train and pay police officers. And the revenue for the city is going down and has gone down. So, our budget projections are not good. I’m being asked to cut for next year. I want to expand the drones. I want to fly a drone 24/7 because they’re so effective, but you have to have the revenue coming in the city and it may not be popular with this group, but most of the revenue is brought in by businesses and people that stay in the hotels.”

He also pointed to the state legislature, explaining that there are not enough laws in place to keep criminals off of the streets. Many of the arrests he makes are not first-time arrests and people who commit crimes come back to do the same things after they’re released from prison.

“I think all chiefs want to be compassionate towards someone who’s mentally ill or has drug or alcohol addiction, or is committing crime mainly due to those things, but they probably need enforced treatment,” Stainbrook said. “Either you’re going to go to jail or you’re going to get treatment. You’re not going to just be able to get back out and keep doing what you’re doing. But, where we’re really having a problem is literally career criminals, career gang members who come in and steal and rob people and burglarize over and over and over again.”

According to his statistics, 80% of crime is in the Golden Triangle, with high rates along busy streets such as La Cienega Boulevard, Robertson Boulevard and Beverly Drive. As summer approaches and more people enter the city, he urges members of the community to stay safe by locking doors and not leaving valuables in cars. “Just simple things like that will help reduce crime,” Stainbrook said. 

The post Municipal League Hosts Conversation with BHPD, BHUSD and City Council appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Ellerbe comes to the position with extensive experience in elementary education as well as expertise she gained while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology and later, her master’s degree in education. She has previously served as Executive Director of the Global Education Academy and as principal at Tibby K-8 School and George Washington Elementary School in Compton.

“Words cannot express how excited I am to be selected as the new principal of Horace Mann Elementary,” Ellerbe said in a statement released by Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy. “As a former student of Horace Mann, it will be an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to pour into a school that once gave so much to me. I look forward to getting to know all of the students, staff, and parents of this great community and to all of the amazing things that we will accomplish together.”

At the meeting, Bregy noted that Ellerbe was chosen out of a handful of eligible applicants in the final round of interviews. “Our finalist, Ms. Ellerbe, just rose to the top with some extraordinary experience and with some real hands-on work with student achievement and culture and PLCs (professional learning communities),” he said. “A lot of the work that she has a proven success record for—they’re things that we’re just beginning in our school district.”

Just before the meeting, LAUSD announced the approval of a ban on cellphone use in all schools in a 5-2 vote. BHUSD Board Member Judy Manouchehri brought this to the attention of her colleagues, drawing a comparison between cellphones and iPads. Manouchehri, who opposed the use of iPads in classrooms at previous meetings, suggested that iPads are essentially extra-large cellphones. At the meeting on May 21, the motion to purchase iPads for TK through eighth-grade classes passed in a 3-1 vote, with Manouchehri voting against it. But on June 18, Board President Amanda Stern was quick to defend iPads for 3D printing and hands-on learning in Maker Space classes. 

“Make no mistake, LAUSD is not necessarily jumping off of tech,” said Stern, explaining that LAUSD is implementing AI technology in their schools. As an avid advocate for technology usage in moderation, she also argued that a flat out ban of cellphones at BHUSD schools would be completely unnecessary. “We also don’t want to punish responsible, good students, who literally just want to use their phone so that they can say ‘Hey, where are you right now for lunch?’” she continued. The board plans to move forward with new iPads in classrooms but will monitor how they are being used so that they can assess whether they’re benefiting students throughout the next school year.

During the superintendent’s report, Bregy announced that BHUSD received a project achievement award in the category of education by the Construction Manager Association of America. Board Vice President Rachelle Marcus, Stern and Bregy were recognized at the awards gala on June 6. The superintendent also announced that he sent an application for former Board President and current Board Member Noah Margo to be honored with the California School Boards Association’s Golden Gavel Award, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies the “best practices in effective governance and boardsmanship.”

Margo later announced that Bregy will represent BHUSD on an educational trip to Israel with other school leaders from around Los Angeles County. During the trip, he will meet with educators in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem who represent different faiths and perspectives. “It’s really an opportunity to bring people together to look to see how education is being facilitated halfway around the world,” said Bregy, looking forward to the trip. 

The post Boardof Education Appoints New Horace Mann Principal appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

On June 6, Dar responded to an inquiry from the Courier with an email that read: “I’ve withdrawn my application for the Assistant Principal position at BVMS. I’ve spent 20 years as an educator and administrator at BHUSD, and another 10 years before that as a student here. Unfortunately, I don’t believe there’s enough alignment between my vision for BVMS and my values, and that of certain trustees, and I can’t properly serve the students and families of this district without that alignment.” She will remain part of the BHUSD community in her role as an academic coach.

In addition to the matter concerning Dar, the board discussed its 2024-2025 budget during the June 4 meeting. In a continuation of the debate at the previous meeting over classroom sizes at El Rodeo Elementary School, public comment once again turned to adding classes for certain grade levels.

According to a presentation, the cost of each student’s education in the 2024-2025 school year is projected to be $34,607, up from $32,655 in the 2023-2024 school year. Assistant Superintendent of Business Service, Raphael Guzman explained that nearly 70% of the revenue comes from property taxes, a higher percentage than other districts in the area. But parents argued that despite the district depending on their tax dollars, their money isn’t being used to benefit the students.

Jim Foust, a father of two girls at Horace Mann Elementary School, addressed concerns about his son entering transitional kindergarten (TK) at El Rodeo. His two daughters will stay at Horace Mann, which is a short walk away from his home, but because the school only has two TK classes, there is not enough room for his son to attend the same school. This would mean two separate drop-offs and pick-ups in his already crowded schedule. And as Foust explained, he’s not the only parent who was put in this position. 

“I’m here today to ask the board to please add the third TK class back to Horace Mann so that all students have the ability to go to their neighborhood school,” he said. The board did not address these concerns immediately following public comment. 

The budget will come up for a vote at the board’s May 18 meeting. 

During the superintendent’s report, Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy announced that he will attend The Municipal League of Beverly Hills’ Town Hall on June 12. He will speak along with Councilmember Craig Corman and Beverly Hills Police Department Chief Mark Stainbrook on new developments within the city. Bregy also congratulated Fonder-Salari construction consulting firm on receiving the CMAA Project Achievement Award in the category of education. He will attend the awards ceremony in Long Beach to accept the award and recognize the company for its role in El Rodeo Elementary School’s modernization. 

The post Dar Withdraws Application to be BVMS Assistant Principal appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

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Studio C features restored sound panels from Beverly Vista Middle School, repurposed furniture and professional-grade recording equipment donated by community partners. The studio has already become a hub for student-created podcasts and shows, reflecting high demand for creative outlets.

“Studio C was a dream that turned into a reality thanks to the unwavering support of our school and community,” said Gilardian. The studio also serves as a memorial to Sheila Willis, a beloved BHHS custodian who passed away earlier this year. 

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“The director, which is me, and the coaches and the actual kids came together and formed a really good team system that was built for winning this championship,” Athletic Director Todd Radonsky told the Courier. BVMS played against Lincoln Middle School in the game on May 23, securing their win with shootouts after a 0-0 tie. 

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On May 24th, the district fittingly marked the end of an era at the school by inviting alumni and dignitaries to a reunion and breakfast ceremony. More than 400 attended the event, which featured a multitude of warm tributes to Hawthorne’s historic legacy. 

The post A Chapter Closes at Hawthorne Elementary School appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

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The CNN report quotes the student’s mother, who said that her son did indeed go to UCLA on the 30th and that he plans to join the Israel Defense Forces. The mother later reversed course and told CNN that her son was not at the encampment attack. 

The investigation also referenced Facebook posts from the mother bragging about her son’s role in the attacks. Those since-deleted posts, written in Hebrew, indicated that the young man “went to bully the Palestinian students in the tents at UCLA and played the song that they played to the Nukhba terrorists in prison!” 

“He is all over the news channels,” she wrote in another Facebook post that is now deleted. 

The Beverly Hills Unified School District, when reached for comment, cited the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. “Due to this law, the district is unable to confirm if this individual is a student in the district,” said BHUSD Superintendent, Dr. Michael Bregy. 

The attack at UCLA began around 11 p.m. on April 30 and continued into the early hours of May 1. UCLA has drawn widespread condemnation, including from Governor Gavin Newsom,  for its failure to protect students during the attack. 

Investigations are ongoing at UCLA to identify what went wrong in the university’s security response and determine who was responsible. 

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block has said that the university is working  with law enforcement to identify and prosecute the attackers. 

“The LAPD has committed a detective to assist in our investigative efforts, and we have also connected with the FBI about possible assistance. We have spoken to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón to solicit his help in ensuring that the instigators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” 

The post Published Reports Link BHHS Student to UCLA Attacks appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“Our community did support the schools when they supported bond measures to modernize our facilities,” said BHEF President Tina Wiener. “So, I think this event also gives us a chance to say thank you to the community and welcome them back home.”

Attendees were wowed by EMCirque, whose performance showcased feats that students may one day aspire to.

They juggled, balanced on one hand, danced and one performer even shot a bow and arrow with her feet. Between performances and speeches, a light show, utilizing the auditorium’s state-of-the-art equipment, captivated guests. Once donors were inspired to support the school’s diverse programs by purchasing a seat in the auditorium, BHEF began auctioning off the stage and the auditorium itself to be named in the winning bidder’s honor. By the end of the night, BHEF had raised over $175,000.

At the event, BHEF unveiled the naming of the auditorium stage, which will now be known as The Amanda Erin Goldberg Stage. This was made possible by a $50,000 donation from her mother, Wendy Goldberg. 

Bosse purchased five seats at the event which will have her name on them and, in 2006, she and her husband made a large donation to BHEF, officially making El Rodeo’s library the Bosse Family Library. During her three terms as mayor, she brought the city together in her mission.

“You’ll remember the difference that we can make. We can make such a difference together and it is so important,” she said, addressing the audience. “So, I want to thank you for believing in me, but again, nothing that I have ever done has ever been me. It’s been every single person right here.”

After the main event, those who purchased seats were led on exclusive tours of the school.

El Rodeo Elementary School will host its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug 11. Originally a kindergarten through eighth grade campus, the school closed in 2019 to transition into an elementary school. 

“We’ve really worked the last five years to create a really robust elementary experience,” Sarah Kaber, the school’s new principal, told the Courier. “We want to make sure that our students, who have pathways from middle school to high school like engineering or art or music, that they have required exposure in elementary school.”

This kind of exposure would mean introducing all students to pre-engineering and design thinking through a class called “maker space,” and introducing music theory, singing and basic instruments through “vocal general music.” By immersing every student in these classes starting in kindergarten, Kaber hopes that students can discover a passion they would like to continue to study at later schools.

In addition to new programs, Kaber was eager to showcase the new construction, which pays tribute in many ways to the school’s original history as well as elevating the students’ experience by modernizing certain aspects. “There’s definitely something about being in an old building where it doesn’t work a hundred percent to move to a building that’s been historically retrofitted,” she said. The school still makes use of the 110-year-old building while incorporating modern details that will make classroom learning more efficient.

During a tour of the campus, Kaber excitedly revealed an original fireplace and hearth in one of the rooms that was previously hidden behind a wall. It was one of many pieces of the building’s nearly 100-year-old-history that they were able to salvage. In one of the main hallways, Kaber also pointed out a mural that symbolizes one of the city’s first efforts to come together for Beverly Hills schools. Originally started by Hugo Ballin but unfinished after the Public Works of Art Project was terminated, the mural was completed in 1934 with the help of Robert Woolsley, Charles Jorgenson and Don Smith.

BHEF continues to urge the community for support as El Rodeo awaits its grand reopening. “It will be really special for families to go back and continue to see their names in the auditorium,” said Wiener. Families can still purchase a seat at one of the BHUSD auditoriums at naming.bhef.org. 

The post El Rodeo Elementary School Rolls Out the Red Carpet appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“This decision has not come lightly, as Horace Mann has been my home and the heart of my professional journey for five amazing years. As the principal of Horace Mann, it has been a tremendous honor to work alongside such dedicated educators, supportive parents, and exceptional students, and a community who truly cares for one another,” he said.

Bugbee expressed gratitude to the school community and the city at large for “support, collaboration and friendship” during his tenure. 

He added, “Together, we have accomplished remarkable achievements and created lasting memories that I will always treasure. We survived a global pandemic together. THAT, my friends, will be a connection that we will share throughout our lives.”

BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy wrote in a statement released May 9 that Bugbee’s “tireless advocacy for social-emotional wellness for every student has enhanced our academic programs and enriched our school culture.”

Referring to Bugbee’s contributions as a “high bar,” Bregy added, “As we plan ahead, please rest assured that we are committed to finding the very best next Principal for Horace Mann Elementary School. Our search will be thorough and thoughtful, selecting a leader who will uphold the values we cherish and drive forward the mission that Mr. Bugbee has so passionately carried out.”

Bregy said he will release the next steps in the selection process shortly.  

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“I have personally worked with Mr. Waters for over seven years, and he is undoubtedly one of the most well-known and beloved leaders in our district and throughout our extended Beverly Hills community. His care for student success transcends the gates of BVMS and carries into the future of every person he meets. Mr. Waters’ deep connection to our community and his outstanding dedication to education have made him a standout member of our faculty for decades. He has consistently demonstrated a keen ability to inspire trust and enthusiasm among students and staff, fostering an environment that values collaborative learning and growth,” said BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy in a statement announcing the appointment. 

Waters will begin his new role as Principal on July 1. 

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Due to the timing of Wells’ resignation on April 1, the board would have had approximately a month to look for a replacement who would only hold that position until the election, BHUSD HR/Legal Counsel Jabari Willis said. Considering the time and resources required to find a candidate in such a squeeze, the board agreed it was best to wait for voters to cast their ballots. 

“It’s almost giving short shrift to do all the labor that’s involved in such a short course of time,” Board President Dr. Amanda Stern said. “I want to do what is best for the children. If we were to commit to the task of selecting a valuable player within this short amount of time, that is a lot of labor away from these very exciting things that are coming up, like graduation.”  

The board members were also confident the lack of a tie-breaking fifth vote would not impede their progress. Even though the board members might come into a meeting with disagreements about an issue, they consistently work to find consensus and almost always vote unanimously, Board Member Noah Margo said. 

“I think we work together well,” Board Vice President Rachelle Marcus said. “And I think that we can discuss things out and come to agreements and see other people’s viewpoints.”

The deadline for candidates to file nomination documents is July 15.

During the April 24 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy also discussed his recent trip to Washington as part of the California School Board Association’s Coast to Coast Federal Advocacy Trip, where he and other BHUSD representatives discussed AI regulations with federal lawmakers. 

The Washington trip came just a month after five Beverly Vista Middle School students were expelled for generating nude AI photos of their classmates, and the BHUSD delegates met with approximately 60 lawmakers and advisors, dropping off a one-page note calling for legislation to keep kids safe from AI technology, said Margo, who attended the conference. 

“We need you to legislate solutions by regulating the AI industry to protect children’s safety and dignity,” the note read. “The current strategy for safeguarding children from technology has failed, leaving vulnerable students at risk.” 

In a statement, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), who met personally with Margo, said that as a parent, the issue hits close to home, and it has inspired him to sponsor several bills aimed at reigning in AI and deepfake technology.  

Lieu is a co-sponsor of Rep. Joe Morelle’s (D-Rochester, N.Y.) Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, which would prohibit the nonconsensual distribution of digitally created or altered intimate images; a co-sponsor of Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) DEFIANCE Act, which enables victims of pornographic deepfakes and other digital forgeries to take civil action against the creators of those fake images; and a Co-Chair of the AI Task Force.  

“My office and I have been hearing from local leaders who share our alarm and disgust that students in Beverly Hills were victimized by the circulation of nonconsensual nude images generated by AI technology. As a parent, I understand how troubling this is,” Lieu said. “I … remain committed to implementing effective AI policy at the federal level.”

Many federal efforts to regulate AI technology are taking place in individual committees siloed off from one another, and Bregy said the BHUSD delegates pushed lawmakers to work together. 

“It’s getting there, and people are listening to us,” he said. 

The board on April 24 also approved a series of contracts related to school facilities, including an agreement to host the Beverly Hills High School spring concerts at the Saban Theatre and two contracts for two new shade structures at Horace Mann Elementary School. 

The two structures, which will provide shade for the preschool patio and the playground, cost approximately $150,760.   

Board Member Judy Manouchehri added that the board will continue to invest in Horace Mann, including by adding more greenery and updating the play structure. 

“I want to thank everybody for their efforts to not accept Horace Mann the way that it was,” Manouchehri said. “The mindset of, ‘Let’s take Horace Mann, which is an amazing facility, and let’s make it even better and even more custom for our needs,’ I fully subscribe to that.” 

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The plaintiff, Lauren Siegman, alleged that Friedman sexually assaulted and abused her some four decades ago while she was a student at BHHS. She further alleged that the school district failed to protect her and other victims by failing to take appropriate action against Friedman. 

Friedman was charged with five criminal counts including sexual assault in 1981 following a police investigation, but later pleaded no contest to the lesser charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Although he initially faced a maximum sentence of one year in jail, he was ultimately sentenced to 500 hours of community service. 

The alleged incidents took place over 40 years ago, but Siegman was able to file a civil suit in August 2020 because in October 2019 Governor Newsom passed Assembly Bill 218, which temporarily extended the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits regarding alleged childhood sexual abuse. That window closed in December 2023.

Siegman sought general damages against BHHS, BHUSD and Friedman as well as punitive damages against Friedman. The punitive damages were later dropped.  The trial began on March 11, 2024, and the 12-member jury entered deliberations on March 29. On April 3, jurors notified the court that they were unable to reach a decision on the key issue of whether BHHS had notice of any prior abuse committed by Friedman. Nine votes were needed for a verdict, but the vote returned was 7 to 5 in favor of BHHS. 

“Without coming to a decision on the notice issue, the jury could not deliberate on issues relating to damages,” Friedman’s attorney Dana M. Cole told the Courier. 

Not only was the jury unable to determine damages against the district, it also could not determine damages against Friedman. 

“There’s a percentage allocation so they couldn’t decide whether the school district was at fault and what percentage of fault, if any, that would be. Therefore, they couldn’t decide any damages against Friedman,” said Cole. 

A hearing to set a new trial date is scheduled for April 5, but Cole doesn’t anticipate a new trial sooner than several months from now. “Cases are often settled during this time,” he noted. 

For its part, BHHS issued the following statement from Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy on April 4:

“This week marks a significant moment for our school district as the Santa Monica Civil Court has not been able to return a verdict in a deeply troubling case that dates back over forty-three years. On Wednesday, April 3rd, the judge declared a mistrial. The court’s decision, reached after careful consideration of all facts and testimony, reflects the complexity of navigating a chapter that is decades old when innumerable inconsistencies are presented. 

As this case was and is of utmost importance to BHUSD, I attended court every day, from jury selection to the declaration of a mistrial on Wednesday. This case is a sobering reminder of the vigilance required in protecting the vulnerable among us as well as the importance of acting with integrity and accountability. To this end, Beverly Hills Unified School District reaffirms its unwavering commitment to being a place where every student feels safe, supported, and valued.” 

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“It was bittersweet as it has been a long time coming, but participants on the tour were thrilled to see the bond dollars were well spent for a new campus which highlighted notes and features that were present 50 years ago,” BHUSD Board President Dr. Amanda Stern told the Beverly Hills Courier. 

Stern said she was delighted to see the interior furnishings and added that construction crews were finishing installation of the soccer field, security cameras and courtyard. 

Board Vice President Rachelle Marcus was also impressed that the construction team, led by Santa Clarita management and consulting firm Fonder-Salari, had preserved much of the school’s character while still updating the facilities. 

“It’s amazing,” Marcus said. “The kids are going to have so many things they didn’t have before.”     

While there were still some changes Marcus and other officials wanted to make, her priority is getting the school open to students, and it was important to avoid making any major alterations that would require approval by the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and could result in further delays.  

“I really feel we need to get in and can fix things later,” Marcus said. “It’s been too long; we don’t want any delays.”    

According to Fonder-Salari CEO Amin Salari, the El Rodeo modernization has been recognized beyond the Beverly Hills Community.  

“The El Rodeo project was submitted to the Construction Management Association of America Southern California chapter for an award,” he said during the March 26 BHUSD Board Meeting. “The project was selected for the above $50 million category for an award in Southern California.”  

During an update at the March 26 meeting on the district’s construction projects, Board Member Noah Margo said he wanted to reduce the size of El Rodeo’s community garden and add more play space for students.  

Margo and others also advocated for redesigning some of the school’s fencing, including painting it a new color. Fonder-Salari CEO Amin Salari said the proposed changes would cost roughly $80,000, and he encouraged the board to focus on completing the modernization before making further changes. 

“At some point we have to finish this project,” Salari said. “If we can leave it then let’s just live with it for a year and plan for it closer to next summer.” 

Marcus echoed that point. 

“We want to get it done. And we want to be able to move in, and we can make some of these changes later,” Marcus said. 

Final inspection of the modernization project is scheduled for June, and the school’s grand opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for Aug. 11.

The board also discussed updates to the Horace Mann Elementary School campus during the meeting.

Will Karrat, Executive Director of Construction Services, said crews are preparing to install a new shade structure on the kindergarten play area next to Hamel Drive, also known as the TK Patio. He added that although the DSA had approved a smaller structure than what was originally proposed, the structure would still provide far more shade than the umbrellas it is replacing.

Karrat also discussed a new shaded play structure that will be placed on top of a rubber surface and separated from the nearest building by artificial turf. After the board approved the plans, Karrat said he is hoping to receive DSA approval by summer.  

“We’ll be looking for procurement options as far as what types of shades we can buy, and then of course the pricing we’ll present to you when we come to it,” he added. 

The board also debated a planned circular pickup and drop-off location on Charleville Boulevard. Board Member Judy Manoucherhi said she wasn’t sure it was necessary given the other entrances to the school, and she asked if the plans were in response to parent requests.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said the proposed pickup site “gives some flexibility to the school” as other pickup and drop-off locations create traffic issues. Also, the new drop-off location will improve safety as crowds of parents and teachers at the existing drop-off locations sometimes spill into the street, he added.  

Marcus disapproved of plans to erect a wrought iron fence around the drop-off site. She thought it was unnecessary and would take up too much space, but other board members agreed it would help keep students out of the street and would remain open during the day to ensure students could access the entire campus. 

The project is expected to cost $50,000, and Karrat will present the board an official proposal once the plans are approved, he added.   

Salari also updated the board on the procurement process for Beverly Hills High School Building C.  

After releasing requests for proposals on Feb. 8, Fonder-Salari is now reviewing the four proposals received last month, and Salari hopes to bring a recommendation to the board in April, he said.  

“Each one of these companies I consider … a leader in educational construction,” he added. 

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The disciplinary measures were approved during a special closed session of the BHUSD Board of Education. The expelled students were “egregiously involved” in the creation of “deepfake” images that merged the faces of 16 eighth-grade girls identified as victims onto the bodies of nude women, Superintendent Michael Bregy wrote in a statement.

Administrators declined to name any of the students involved, citing California Education laws protecting the privacy of minors.

“We recognize that kids are still learning and growing, and mistakes are part of this process,” he said. “However, accountability is essential, and appropriate measures have been taken.”

The Beverly Hills Police Department’s investigation into the matter is ongoing. Meanwhile, the controversy that unfolded at Beverly Vista Middle School has sparked “crucial discussions on the ethical use of technology,” Bregy said.

The topic has been repeatedly addressed by the BHUSD officials over the past several weeks. At its most recent meeting on March 12, Board of Education President Amanda Stern presented an early draft of a resolution aimed at “teaching our children about safe digital citizenry.”

“In this day and age, unfortunately, safety is, in my opinion, not just related to our physical safety and soundness in terms of our property, but also our presence online,” she said during the meeting.

The draft read at the meeting specifically mentioned artificial intelligence and “deepfake” images. It emphasized the district’s commitment to programs and curricula that train youth to use technology both effectively and ethically while protecting their privacy.

A summary of the draft read aloud by Stern at the meeting also referred to “perpetrators of all ages.” The statement also acknowledged that children are especially susceptible to the misuse of technology.

“The board and the superintendent will continue to work with community partners, and public and private agencies to guide, educate, and support the district parents and their children of the harms and misuse of AI and related technologies,” Stern wrote in her draft.

During the meeting, board members noted that issues related to the misuse of tech have impacts that are felt far beyond the classroom. They said educators and families around the world are still figuring out how to manage these challenges.

Board members said part of the solution may come in the form of new laws and regulation on the use of AI and called on lawmakers at all levels of government to act. They also highlighted how important families are in promoting the ethical use of tech. 

“There’s not enough mention of parents on this,” Board Member Noah Margo said. “[W]e don’t buy kids’ phones. We don’t pay for their plans. Parents should really be told, whether you know it or not, you are playing a role in this. “

“You didn’t sign up for this,” he added, acknowledging that emerging issues surrounding artificial intelligence and social media are uncharted territory that both families and educators are learning to navigate.

The board will continue to revise and edit the draft of the resolution during an upcoming study session. Once the language is finalized, it will be brought up for vote. 

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It’s unclear how many students were involved in creating and disseminating the fraudulent images and how many victims there were. According to BHPD Lieutenant Andrew Myers, the investigation is ongoing.

“Collectively, we are nothing short of outraged by this behavior and we are prepared to implement the most severe disciplinary actions allowable under California Education Code,” district officials said in an email to BVMS parents. “Any student found to be creating, disseminating, or in possession of AI-generated images of this nature will face disciplinary actions, including, but not limited to, a recommendation for expulsion.”

With the emergence of apps that can “undress” people, BVMS is one of many schools around the world being forced to confront a novel form of bullying. In November, AI-generated pornographic photos of female students from Westfield High School in New Jersey circulated, prompting a probe by police. Similar incidents were reported last fall at schools in Seattle, Washington, Extremadura, Spain and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As a direct result, U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation in Congress to create a federal framework to protect an individual’s right to their likeness from AI manipulation. 

“It’s time for bad actors using AI to face the music,” Florida representative María Elvira Salazar said in a Jan. 10 press release. “This bill plugs a hole in the law and gives artists and U.S. citizens the power to protect their rights, their creative work, and their fundamental individuality online.” Salazar introduced the bill along with Pennsylvania Congresswoman Madeline Dean. 

While Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) administrators noted that such an incident “may not yet be classified as a crime,” any criminal offenses discovered “will be addressed to the fullest extent possible.”

Currently, BHUSD uses a positive behavior intervention system (PBIS) to combat bullying, which is focused on identifying, teaching, and reinforcing positive behavior in students and evidence-based intervention practices to address problematic behaviors. Students and parents are always encouraged to report bullying by contacting their school principal or filling out a confidential online form.

“There are Bulldog students who are hurting from this event, and that is to be expected given what has happened,” BVMS Principal Dr. Kelly Skon wrote in an email to the school community. “We are also seeing courage and resilience from these students in trying to get normalcy back in their lives from this outrageous act.”

The Beverly Hills Unified School District’s Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy addressed the issue during the board’s Feb. 27 meeting. 

Bregy said the district’s highest priority is to ensure the well-being of the students who were victimized. The superintendent added that he has been visiting Beverly Vista over the past several days, and students at the middle school appeared “resilient,” albeit “a little confused about what’s happening.”

Board members thanked administrators for taking the matter seriously and acting immediately. They also discussed the effect of new technology like AI on children, coupled with the ubiquity of social media. It’s a developing field of research that the district is watching closely, and they’re continually developing best practices regarding the use of tech in the classroom.

“Part of our responsibility is for students, that they understand this technology, that they’re able to use this technology for the future, but also how to use that technology in the most appropriate ways,” Bregy said. “I want to assure the community how important this is to all of us.”

District officials and the board had been closely examining how artificial intelligence might be abused by students to commit plagiarism or cheat on assignments shortly before the start of the Fall semester. That is part of the reason why they implemented a ban on the use of cell phones on campus across the district at the start of the current school year. 

Bregy and the board emphasized the importance of parents and families in guiding children toward healthy habits in their use of technology and social media. They urged everyone to maintain a dialogue with their children and pay attention to the apps they use and how they use them.

School Board Member Judy Manouchehri reminded parents that the district offers a wealth of sports and other after-school programs available. She strongly encouraged them to get their kids involved in activities that will decrease their screen time while interacting with their peers face-to-face more often.

“We really reach out to our parent partners as well, because we need some help,” Bregy said. 

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Representatives from the BHUSD excitedly discussed the prospect with Mayor Dr. Julian Gold and City Councilmember Lili Bosse at a recent City Council liaison meeting. 

The city currently runs a preschool program with four classrooms: two at Hawthorne Elementary School, one at La Cienega Park and one at Coldwater Park. Additionally, BHUSD runs one special education preschool classroom at Horace Mann Elementary School. 

The concept of the early childhood center is still in its early stages. The idea as it presently stands is to consolidate all of the  city’s preschool programming at Hawthorne, potentially add more preschool classrooms and offer community programming, such as “Mommy and Me” classes.

“I think that it creates a great opportunity for people to come into the city and meet other families,” said BHUSD Board Member Mary Wells. “They may want to move here because of the preschool and then enter the school system because they form these bonds.”

The district envisions housing the center at Hawthorne Elementary School, because starting next academic year Hawthorne students will be moved to the renovated Horace Mann Elementary School and the campus will have a significant amount of free space.

The district will fill some of the empty space at Hawthorne by relocating its offices, but plenty of classrooms and outdoor play space will remain for the potential early childhood center. 

“I think it is a huge opportunity to meet a huge need. Everyone that I’ve spoken to since we started talking about this two years ago really loves the idea,” said Wells. “Families would like to have that central place where they can meet each other and access community programming designed for their demographic.”

Gold agreed that it makes sense to consolidate preschool programming but would like to survey both current and potential preschool parents to see if they agree. It’s possible, he added, that some parents may be upset to lose the opportunity to enroll their children in preschool classrooms at La Cienega and Coldwater parks. 

The center would also provide the city with space to add additional preschool classrooms to meet the community’s growing demand. Currently, there are about 85 families on the waiting list for preschool at Hawthorne and 10 to 12 families on waiting lists for the La Cienega and Coldwater programs.

Gold also asked for an assessment of the available space so the city can have a better idea of how it can be used to accommodate classrooms, play areas, community programming and parking for the proposed center. 

The city’s preschool program is currently open to residents with children ages 3-5. It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and teaches children basics such as their ABCs, colors, shapes and numbers in a supportive, playful environment. 

At ages 4 and 5, parents can either keep their children enrolled in the city’s preschool program or enroll them in the district’s Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs, which provide a slightly more structured learning environment and longer day.  

The city and district both hope that increased enrollment in the preschool program via the proposed early education center will, in turn, increase enrollment in the district. 

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As the district prepares for the new academic year, events are taking place at various campuses to welcome back families. On Aug. 13, activities marking the new school year will be held at Horace Mann Elementary School and Hawthorne Elementary School. At Hawthorne’s “Operation Welcome Back,” attendees can purchase spirit gear, join the PTA and say hello to familiar faces. At Horace Mann, meanwhile, a welcome back pancake breakfast is being held from 10 a.m.-noon.

BHUSD Board Member Rachelle Marcus said she expects to attend the elementary schools’ events. “I’m sure they will be very crowded,” Marcus said during the recent meeting, adding, “As school starts on Monday, I want to wish everybody a successful school year—a wonderful year to the students, parents, teachers and all the administrators.”

BHUSD officials expect this to be the last  school year before the reopening of the El Rodeo Elementary School campus, which has been closed and under construction since 2019 as part of a multiyear, multimillion effort to revitalize the campus. The district expects the school to reopen on June 30, 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Additional key dates for the upcoming academic school year:

• Labor Day: Sept. 4 (no school)

• Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 22-24

• Winter Break: Dec. 21-Jan 5

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Jan. 15 (no school)

• Staff Development Day: Feb. 16 (no school)

• Presidents’ Day: Feb. 19 (no school)

• Spring Break: April 1-8

• Last Day: May 30

• BHHS Graduation: May 31

Preparing for the upcoming start of the school year was just one focus of the BHUSD board meeting. The six-member board, joined by Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy, approved a new policy over student cell phone usage on school campuses.

“The motion carries—we have a cell phone policy,” Board Chair Noah Margo said after the unanimous vote in support of the policy. “So, put the phone down!”

The board reviewed a second reading of the policy, which outlines policies depending on the grade of the student. For those in grades TK-8, the use of cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches and other mobile devices is prohibited while on campus. Devices must be turned off and out of sight during the school day. 

For those in grades 9-12, students may use cell phones or other mobile devices on campus during non-instructional time. During instructional time, however, their phones must be “turned off and put away,” according to the policy. 

Upon the first and second incidents of breaking the policy, the phone will be confiscated until the end of the day. On the third incident, the phone will be confiscated; a parent or guardian will have to pick up the phone; and the student receives after-school detention.

“The Governing Board recognizes that the use of smartphones and other mobile communication devices on campus may benefit student learning and well-being but can also disrupt the instructional program and/or school day,” the policy says.

Board Member Amanda Stern said the mobile phone policy would go a long way toward helping students stay focused during instruction time. She pointed to a study undertaken by the U.S. Surgeon General linking social media usage to youth mental health challenges.

“I think we’ve done a service to help the kids,” Stern said.

Bregy agreed. “This is an incredible change,” he said. 

Ahead of the new school year, the board approved a property use agreement with First Church of Christ, Scientist in Beverly Hills to provide parking spaces for Beverly Vista Middle School staff at a cost to the district of $400 per week. The agreement began Aug. 7 and continues through May 31, 2024. The fee for this annual expense is not to exceed $17,200.

Additionally, the board approved a deferred maintenance project for the painting of two courtyards at Beverly Hills High School. The school board approved an agreement with Color New Co. for an associated cost of $55,000. The fee will be paid out of the deferred maintenance funds.

The latest school board meeting was held exactly one week after BHUSD officials gathered with city leaders and law enforcement for the annual National Night Out event in the city. BHUSD had a significant presence at the outdoor block party.

“Out of all the organizations in Beverly Hills, we were told we had the highest attendance,” Bregy said. “BHUSD was also successful in bringing large numbers of people out.”

“There’s no agenda except to connect as a community and really shine,” BHUSD Board Member and Clerk Mary Wells said of National Night Out. “I think it’s such a gift to our community.”

While the board prepares for the busy school year ahead, it also took the opportunity to publicize an upcoming concert featuring one of its board members. Margo, in addition to serving on the board, is a drummer whose musical group, The Tokens, is performing at Concerts on Canon on
Aug. 17. 

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“Our sole mission is to fund world-class educational experiences for students,” said Wiener, who can be reelected to two additional, one-year terms.

The 21-member BHEF board devotes its time to finding money to fund everything from sports to performing arts to science fairs in BHUSD. 

“I know that this group is energized and ready to take BHEF to the next level,” Wiener said about the board, which meets once a month at the BHEF office or the BHUSD board room. 

BHEF was started in 1978 to raise money for music and art programs in the BHUSD after state funding was cut. The nonprofit went on to help in other areas such as drama, dance, audio production and robotics. This year, the organization awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships to seven graduating seniors.

The foundation also provides funding for the TK-12 Science & Engineering Fair and Science Olympiad, which take place at all district schools.

“Every year, I am in awe of the projects these kids do and their creativity, starting with the youngest kids to the incredibly detailed projects we get from high school students,” Wiener said. “One eighth-grade student designed a literal ‘money laundering project,’ using a UV light in a money drawer to kill bacteria on cash.”

In addition to science fairs, the foundation has presented grants to instructors on projects such as teaching math through guided play. (More details are at bhef.org.)

BHEF has also funded coaching positions at Beverly Vista Middle School for flag football, basketball, track and field, soccer, cross country, volleyball and cheerleading. 

Wiener, a former president of PTAs at the middle school and Horace Mann Elementary School, said the ability to fund positions distinguishes BHEF from PTAs. And while PTAs are concerned with their respective schools, the foundation’s emphasis is on the entire Beverly Hills Unified School District. 

“Members of the community are fortunate to be part of an elite school district, and BHEF provides a means for our community to invest in a superior public education for our kids,” Wiener said. “We are here to fill the needs of the district if they come to us and say, ‘We would like to keep this program going. We could use your support.’”

She said BHEF is the largest donor to the school district.

“My number one goal as president would be to increase the financial support we can offer to BHUSD to enhance educational experiences for all kids,” Wiener said, noting the foundation has the city of Beverly Hills as one of its largest donors.

BHEF’s Gold Business Partner is Jaguar-Land Rover of Santa Monica, and Wiener would like to recruit more businesses to provide financial and in-kind support.

Those with faith in Wiener’s ability to get things done include Jill Egerman, who has known her for about a dozen years. 

“She has a unique way of connecting with people and finding out how they can help,” said Egerman, BHEF’s new vice president. “She figures out solutions for problems.”

A Los Angeles native, Wiener graduated from Ramona Convent Secondary School, an all-girls Catholic high school in Alhambra. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in geography with an option for urban analysis at California State University at Los Angeles. In 1988, she started working as a planner for the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Norwalk and Malibu.

“As much as I enjoyed being a city planner, I felt education was where I wanted to put my energy and my talents,” said Wiener, who moved with her husband to Beverly Hills in 1994.

While working toward her teaching credential in 1995, Wiener was a classroom assistant at Beverly Vista, back when it was an elementary school. After earning her credential, she taught sixth grade from 1996 to 2001 in the Glendale Unified School District.

“In 2001, my son (Daniel) was born, so I took some time off from teaching,” Wiener said.

She reduced her hours and worked part time as a professional development teacher instructing other teachers from 2001-2004 at UCLA. In 2005, she returned to Beverly Vista as a part-time Title I instructor before teaching second grade there in 2007-2008. 

“Then we adopted our beautiful daughter (Ash, from Guatemala), and I became a (parent) volunteer at that point,” said Wiener, who served on the BHEF board before her current tenure as president. Today, Ash, 16, is a junior at Beverly Hills High School, and Daniel, 22, is a senior majoring in telecommunications at Pennsylvania State University.

Their proud mother recently obtained some unforgettable education during a trip to Uganda and Tanzania — her first time in Africa. One day, Wiener and others in her safari group were walking through a jungle when they encountered silverback gorillas. Their guide told them when to stand still and when it was safe to walk.

“The gorillas knew we were there, but went about their own business,” Wiener said. “I didn’t expect to get so close and personal with these animals,” she added, describing a great “aha!” moment of her own. 

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The case was filed by Lauren Siegman, who alleges that Friedman sexually assaulted and abused her some four decades ago while she was a student at BHHS. She further alleges that the school district failed to protect her and other victims and failed to take appropriate action against Friedman. 

“These allegations are now 45 years old, and it appears that Ms. Siegman wants to blame Hank Friedman and the school district for a lot of unrelated trauma that she has experienced over several decades,” Dana M. Cole, the attorney representing Friedman, told the Courier.

The attorneys representing BHUSD and Siegman declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Friedman was charged with five criminal counts including sexual assault in 1981 following a police investigation, but later plead no contest to the lesser charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Although he initially faced a maximum sentence of one year in jail, he was ultimately sentenced to 500 hours of community service. 

Siegman’s First Amended Complaint seeks general damages against BHHS, BHUSD and Friedman as well as punitive damages against Friedman. She is represented by attorney Stephen Weisskopf.

Although the alleged incidents took place over 40 years ago, Siegman was able to file a civil suit in August 2020 because in October 2019 Governor Newsom passed Assembly Bill 218, which temporarily extended the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits regarding alleged childhood sexual abuse. That window closed in December 2022.

Two additional women who attended Beverly Hills High School used this window to file a separate civil suit against Friedman alleging that he sexually abused and assaulted them in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are represented by attorney Brian Williams.

Plaintiff Elizabeth Ringer alleges that Friedman sexually abused her during the 1979 to 1980 school year. The second plaintiff, who filed the complaint as a Jane Doe to protect her identity, alleges that Friedman abused her over the course of the 1976 to 1977 school year. 

In both lawsuits, the women claim that Friedman inappropriately touched and measured their bodies on several occasions under the guise of completing a government study. This includes measuring the women’s breasts and molesting their bodies. 

The alleged abuse against Siegman began when she was a 15-year-old student in the 10th grade and continued, she claims, in her 11th and 12th-grade years. The majority of the abuse took place in what the complaint calls a “dungeon-like equipment room with no windows and limited access” in the basement of the school’s swim gym. 

According to the complaint, Siegman suffered “severe and permanent injuries including, but not limited to, physical and mental pain and suffering, severe emotional distress, psychological harm, past and future costs of medical care and treatment.”

In a July 13 statement, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy told the Courier, “A law enacted by the state of California (AB 218), which went into effect on January 1, 2020, extended the statute of limitations for reporting and filing claims related to the sexual abuse of minors. It affected churches, youth organizations, public schools, and other entities.

Subsequently, civil lawsuits were filed against the District seeking financial damages for alleged sexual misconduct by a former teacher that purportedly occurred in the late 1970s. This teacher has not been an employee of BHUSD for 40 years.

The District takes all allegations of sexual misconduct against students seriously. While the District trusts the legal process will provide justice to all parties involved, the safety and well-being of our students continue to be our highest priority. BHUSD encourages the entire school community, including employees, parents, and students, to report any concerning behavior as soon as it is identified to ensure immediate action can be taken.” 

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During its July 11 meeting, the school board voted to extend the contract with Moss Adams through 2025 at a cost of $217,500. 

“Retaining the same auditor will allow consistency between bond and audit reports,” a district report said.

The firm was first hired during the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Funds for the three-year contract extension will be paid out by Measure E and Measure BH.

In addition to approving the contract extension with Moss Adams, the school district approved several contract amendments that will be paid for by Measure BH funds toward the ongoing campus modernization effort, including $12,000 for shade structures at Horace Mann Elementary School with tBP Architecture; $7,000 with Architects MSP for upgrades on the Beverly Vista Middle School’s student mental health and wellness center; and an $18,200 increase to the nearly $15 million contract with HMC Group for architectural and engineering services for the El Rodeo seismic retrofit and modernization.

The approval of the contracts comes as the school district continues to make progress on construction on the district’s school campuses, including Beverly Hills High School, Beverly Vista Middle School and El Rodeo Elementary School. 

Additionally, the board approved a BHHS baseball field naming and charitable pledge agreement.

Board members also spent time on the topic of cell phone policies for students at Beverly Hills High School and Beverly Vista Middle School. The discussion, Board President Noah Margo explained, was for “direction only,” meaning there was no vote on it. 

At issue was the “off and put away” policy, and whether it makes sense.

“The administration’s concern is that the off and put away is following a policy where you’re disciplining and giving consequences to really good kids who are most likely addicted to it, or it’s an accident—they look at it, they take it out,” Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said. “The administration feels when the policy was in our district to have it off and put away, they spent more time doing the discipline and consequences behind the phone.”

Board Member and Clerk Mary Wells said she thinks a strict cell phone policy makes sense for the middle school. High school students, she said, ought to be able to regulate their own usage.

Meanwhile, Board Member Judy Manouchehri spoke out strongly against cell phones in schools. 

“My concern is using the phones is almost like giving the kids a smoking break,” she said. While she acknowledged some students have a legitimate reason for having the phone, such as remaining in touch with their parents throughout the day, “I don’t want the exceptions to take over the rule.”

The BHUSD policies for cell phone use depend on the age of the student. For elementary school students, phones are supposed to be off and away until the student gets to the gate after school. At the middle school level and high school levels, students are allowed to bring mobile devices to school, but the phones must be turned off and always put away in class. There is more leeway for middle school and high school students when in between classes and during lunch.

The July 11 meeting was the first with the school board’s new student board member, Sofia Lifson. District leadership also welcomed three new staff members: Ben Wardrop, the district’s new student services director; Beverly Hills High School Assistant Principal Shannon Kobielusz; and Horace Mann Elementary School Assistant Principal Yvette Walker.

Bregy provided an update on the Behavior and Accountability Advisory Panel, which brings together civic and religious leaders, business owners and others on how to address behavioral issues among BHUSD students. Bregy said he was proud of the people who have come out for the group.

“I think it can be an intimidating group,” Bregy said. “We’ve got a lot of movers and shakers in this group. This is not a committee just to have a committee.”

The district highlighted upcoming events, including BHPD’s National Night Out event. The Aug. 1 program is an opportunity, Bregy said, to meet the school board members, the district superintendent, school principals and assistant principals and other school leaders, all of whom will be in attendance. 

Additionally, as part of the Human Relations Commission’s “Beverly Hills Reads!” series, a discussion with Bonnie Garmus, author of the bestselling novel, “Lessons in Chemistry,” is taking place at the City Hall Municipal Gallery on Aug. 27. Retired Beverly Hills High School educator Julie Goler is participating in the discussion. 

Bregy noted many BHHS students and community members are reading Garmus’ book.

“We are excited to be able to do these types of things in our city,” the superintendent said. 

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In an exclusive statement for the Courier, the district provided this response:

“On the 13th of December, three trustees, Mr. Noah Margo, Dr. Amanda Stern and Mrs. Mary Wells, received a Notice of Intent to Circulate a Recall Petition. The Notice specified the reasons for circulation of the Petition and the reasons were common for a Notice. The procedure for initiating a recall of an elected official is set forth in the state’s Elections Code. Based on information from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk regarding a potential 2021 Special Standalone Election, a special election related to a recall would approximately cost the Beverly Hills Unified School District upwards of $500, 000 of taxpayer money. Should a recall election be successful, the District may be required to hold another special election that would incur an approximate cost upwards of $500,000, for a total of $1,000,000 of taxpayer money.”

As stated in California Elections Code 11006, “proponents begin the recall of an elective officer, including any officer appointed in lieu of election or to fill a vacancy, by the service, filing and publication or posting of a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition.” According to California law, if the voting population is less than 50,000, the number of signatures required for a recall petition is 20%. In Beverly Hills, where there are roughly 21,000 registered voters, proponents must gather about 4,200 valid signatures.

“BHUSD values and respects all of our community members and The Board of Education has gone to great lengths to ensure that every individual who desires to speak has been heard,” Dr. Bregy said regarding the incident with Faintich and subsequent public outcry. “The Board of Education is permitted to limit Public Comment time to 20 minutes per topic and remove ceded time. Instead of doing this, they have listened to over 4 hours of public comment over the last month on this single subject and have taken this matter under extensive consideration. The ongoing grandstanding, all in the name of defending an adult who initiated blatant aggressive and physical contact toward a student, has garnered no change in the decision by the Superintendent.”

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In her outgoing remarks as president, Mary Wells shared highlights from the past year. “My first goal as president was to ensure that the board was better informed so that we could make better decisions,” Wells said. “We have made changes to our meeting agendas, the board meeting structure, and our committees in order to improve how and when information is shared with the board.”

During her time as president, the board refined the district’s mission statement and vision statement, and further defined its core values: excellence, integrity, wellness, inclusion, safety, and community. Wells introduced the first ever BHUSD Community Pledge, and under her leadership, the board passed a resolution in support of the women of Iran and their fight for human rights. “All of these efforts raise the visibility of our school district and create opportunity in the city for our families and students,” Wells said.

“As everyone knows, this board identified a multitude of issues and made the hard decisions necessary to make the bond program to modernize our school facilities, and security programs more effective and efficient,” Wells said. “We completely restructured the construction program and safety program to provide transparency and accountability.”

Marcus, who begins her second term, was installed by Wells. “As many of you may know, my husband was very ill, and I was debating whether I wanted to run again,” Marcus said. “And unfortunately, because he passed away, the decision became very apparent that my heart is in the school district, and I couldn’t leave it at this time. My work was unfinished.”

Manouchehri was installed by Judge Richard Stone, who graduated from BHHS in 1974. “I knew I could apply my professional skills as a real estate construction and business attorney, and my personal experience as a product of our school system, for the betterment of our schools, our beautiful community, and most importantly, our children,” Manouchehri said. 

Margo was installed as president by Dr. Brian Goldberg, who also served on the school board from 2007 to 2015. “Please understand that while not every vote that has and yet to come across this board will be unanimous, all of us, all of us, sincerely believe we are casting our votes in the interest of the district success,” Margo said. “This and past boards have worked and will continue to work tirelessly to put in motion all of the elements needed for our district to succeed.”

In his last year as president, Margo announced a new initiative called “Now Noah Knows,” to showcase the unique teaching methods of each educator. In the segment, Margo will meet one on one “with some of our incredible teachers and learn something new.” 

Stern was installed as vice president by Nathan Kruger, who currently serves as the Vice Chair of the BHUSD Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. “We have a challenging year ahead,” Vice President Stern said. “We continue to face pandemic related learning loss, mental health problems, intense political tension, and a robust but complex construction program. This collective anxiety is tempered however, by the phenomenal success of our students.”

In other board business, Wells was appointed as clerk and as the representative to the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization, and Marcus as the annual representative to the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association. 

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At the Chamber forum moderated by David Mirharooni, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, Marcus was asked why she chose to run, again. The longtime Beverly Hills resident cited her institutional knowledge, history on the board, and longstanding commitment to students, adding: “During my four years on the board, I studied the issues and I’ve done my homework in order to make wise and thoughtful decisions…I will vote against the majority if I personally feel it’s a wise thing to do.”

Dodes, who is in her third year as President of the BHEF, has also served on several school advisory committees. Currently, she is the Communications Co-Chair on the Horace Mann PTA Executive Board and is on the Beverly Vista Middle School Site Council. “I am running because I’ve already been effecting change in the district,” Dodes said. “I’ve helped choose the technology for our one-to-one student device programs. I’ve helped choose three of our current school admins, and I’ve helped adopt textbooks at both the TK-5 and middle school levels.”

“I’ve seen a decline in quality of education with each student I’ve worked with throughout the year,” LaVoice, who works as an Applied Behavioral Analysis tutor for children with special needs, said. 

When asked about their plans to bolster student body relationships with the local business community, candidates responded with various ideas.  

“I really would like to inspire by incorporating credit-based assignments with business in the community, whether it’s marketing, advertising, or content development,” Manouchehri said.

“I’d like to bring in high profile business leaders and motivational speakers to discuss their career paths and what it takes. I’d like to work on projects in conjunction with Rotary of Beverly Hills and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as for opportunities for philanthropy. And I’d like to partner with the Chamber executive board and other companies to create internships and training programs for vocations and other jobs.”

With several teen fentanyl overdoses in recent weeks at nearby schools, the crisis has become “impossible to ignore,” Mirharooni said. Candidates were asked about mental health resources and how they would educate the BHUSD community about exposure to fentanyl. “I know that BHUSD puts kids on suspension for being caught with drugs,” Amir-Salkin said. She also suggested establishing an Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous club at school. Manouchehri spoke of the need for “a comprehensive fentanyl educational plan,” and Marcus talked about the availability of the opioid antagonist Narcan at all school sites, with administrators trained in how and when to use it.  

Mirharooni also asked the candidates about fiscal responsibility and construction budget oversight. Marcus, who spearheaded the creation of the Facilities and Construction Oversight Committee, confirmed budgetary concerns. Still, according to Marcus, elementary students will be back at El Rodeo by 2024 and BHHS buildings B3 and B4 will be complete by 2025. While the board has since hired a new bond manager to correct course, problems remain. 

In contrast, at the Oct. 18 Teen BHEF and Interact forum, candidates were asked to identify what areas they feel are most in need of funding. Responses ranged from providing teachers with more support and having licensed clinicians at each school site. “I think right now where we really need to use our monies and focus our opportunities has to do with mental health,” Amir-Salkin said. 

The sophomore representative for the Interact club, Oliver Shemtov, asked the final question: What do you think is the best way to address differences of opinion within the school board or between the school board and the community? 

“I have worked with many different families from diverse backgrounds, and I know how to set my ego aside and work as a team,” LaVoice said.

“So, it really comes down to just simply treating everyone with dignity and respect,” Dodes replied. “I think, especially in our current times, especially with social media, WhatsApp, things can devolve real fast into shouting matches.” 

“In my practice, on a daily basis, I’m dealing with $5, $10, $15, $20 million deals, a lot of egos,” Manouchehri said. “I am constantly making sure that there is clarity, consistency, and that we are all crossing the same finish line with respect and courtesy…I believe that I can bring that professional perspective and those tools to the board, and to this district, to really inspire us to communicate and arrive at decisions in a little bit more of a harmonious and collaborative approach.” 

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“We have Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) programs at each of the schools that reinforce the positive behaviors that we expect of our kids, but we have never set those expectations for the entire school community including the Board, parents, and our staff,” Board President Mary Wells told the Courier. “And so, to kick off the year, we are launching The Community Pledge to set the tone and standards for our behavior. As a community we want to create the environment that supports our students and each other. We want everyone to be treated respectfully and we will hold each other accountable. The Community Pledge acknowledges our commitment to do just that.”

As a community we want to support the expectations we have for our students and each other. We want to be treated with respect and hold each other accountable to that, especially when we have an election coming up.

The pledge was introduced to BHUSD staff on Aug. 12 and will be brought back on Aug. 24 for parents and students to sign on back-to-school night. 

“We’re going to invite everybody to sign it,” Wells told the Courier. “The cabinet, all the PTA presidents and their executive board, the site council, the principals, the Associated Student Body–we’re going to try and get as many leaders as we can to come to our board meeting to sign it at that meeting, as well as ourselves.”

School board members are currently conceptualizing the ways in which the pledge will be used, including being placed at all campuses and in school communications. The pledge is expected to be integrated in a variety of way, including at the beginning of each board meeting, before class starts, before sports games and more. 

Over the summer, the board and cabinet held planning sessions to prepare for the new school year–something past boards have never done, according to President Wells. The pledge initiative stemmed from President Wells’ goal to improve the functionality of the board. Moving forward, the admin planning meetings will take place annually before classes begin. During the planning sessions, the cabinet also “fine-tuned” the BHUSD Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Values and Governance Handbook, which will be approved by the board at the Aug. 23 meeting. 

Wells has called on fellow board members to invite their respective liaison committees and city commissioners to sign their names and take the pledge at the upcoming board meeting. 

“The energy at the schools is very high,” Wells said. “Everyone has a positive attitude and is excited about the changes that have been made to set us up for success in the coming year, and you can really feel it.” 

The next board meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Jon Cherney Lecture Hall at Beverly Hills High School.

Aug. 24 for parents and students to sign on back-to-school night. 

“We’re going to invite everybody to sign it,” Wells told the Courier. “The cabinet, all the PTA presidents and their executive board, the site council, the principals, the Associated Student Body–we’re going to try and get as many leaders as we can to come to our board meeting to sign it at that meeting, as well as ourselves.”

School board members are currently conceptualizing the ways in which the pledge will be used, including being placed at all campuses and in school communications. The pledge is expected to be integrated in a variety of ways, including at the beginning of each board meeting, before class starts, before sports games and more. 

Over the summer, the board and cabinet held planning sessions to prepare for the new school year–something past boards have never done, according to President Wells. 

The pledge initiative stemmed from President Wells’ goal to improve the functionality of the board. Moving forward, the admin planning meetings will take place annually before classes begin. During the planning sessions, the cabinet also “fine-tuned” the BHUSD Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Values and Governance Handbook, which will be approved by the board at the Aug. 23 meeting. 

Wells has called on fellow board members to invite their respective liaison committees and city commissioners to sign their names and take the pledge at the upcoming board meeting. 

“The energy at the schools is very high,” Wells said. “Everyone has a positive attitude and is excited about the changes that have been made to set us up for success in the coming year, and you can really feel it.” 

The next board meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Jon Cherney Lecture Hall at Beverly Hills High School. 

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Historically, interdistrict attendance permits have allowed employees of the district and the City of Beverly Hills, as well as parents on active military duty, to send their children to BHUSD. 

To be considered for a permit in the district, the student must obtain written consent from their district of residence and file a district permit application with the documentation at the BHUSD Enrollment Center. 

To be eligible for the new permit, the grandparent must have resided within the district’s attendance boundaries for a minimum of 10 years, with proof of grandparent residency verified each year prior to enrollment. To apply, the district is requiring a birth certificate for the student and their parent, three original utility bills, property taxes under the grandparent’s name or lease, and if the lease is expired, a recent canceled check and a renewed lease. Applicants must also complete a residency affidavit.

Grandparent Permits will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, and the number of permits available will be based on the percentage of space available per grade, with 25% of available spaces at each grade level open to those with a Grandparent permit. No additional sections will be added, and sections with less than 10 spots available will not have permits offered. Permits will be open to grades TK-12, and the number of permits will be capped at 100 for next year. The Board will review the pilot program again next school year to determine whether they will continue offering it. 

“The policy was designed to be cost neutral to the district,” Vice President Noah Margo said. “We’re not going to incur, nor the way it’s written will we incur, any extra costs to taxpayers the way that we have designed the policy. We are opening it up as gently as possible for enrollment purposes.” The district noted that they will not be financially responsible for expenses related to providing transportation for students attending BHUSD on any permit program. 

“This community has been so responsive and there is a high interest in this,” Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Laura Chism said. “I want it to run smoothly and run well, so I would ask the board’s permission to let us communicate it out. Give us a few days.”

The district is expected to communicate all application information to the community in a June 15 correspondence before the enrollment period opens. 

“Really proud of this permit,” Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said. “The shaping of the permit and the language really was based on a lot of feedback from not only the community, potential grandparents with grandchildren that have the opportunity to attend BHUSD, but also really good conversation and dialogue with our Board of Education to help shape policy.” 

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for June 28 at 5 p.m.

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The Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) class of 2022 celebrated the end of the year with the Senior Awards and Scholarship Evening on June 1, where seniors who excelled during their years at BHHS were honored. Festivities continued on June 3 with a graduation ceremony held on the BHHS Nickoll Football Field.

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The meeting began with a spotlight on Hawthorne Elementary School fifth grade students Enzo Jadidolahi, Mila Fekri, Riley Metcalfe, and Chloe Kaveh who presented on The Butterfly Project, an initiative that educates children on the horrors of the Holocaust. The program is led by special education teacher Liat Canes.

Fifth graders watched the award-winning movie, “The Last Butterfly,” listened to stories of children who survived the Holocaust and created their own butterflies from clay to represent the 1.5 million children who were killed. The butterflies will be placed on the newly painted mural in front of the herb garden at Hawthorne. The students presented to the board lessons learned since The Butterfly Project kicked off on Jan. 27, International Holocaust Day.

“Our vision is for each fifth-grade year to add to the legacy by creating a butterfly on the butterfly wall,” Canes said.

With the passing of Assembly Bill AB 22, access to full-day of TK will be extended to all 4-year-olds in California at no cost to families by the 2025-26 school year. In preparation for what will effectively be another grade level by 2025, the district is seeking funds from the California Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and full-day Kindergarten Facility Grant Program.

“This first application round is open in April of this year and there will be a second one April of next year,” Rob Murray, Director of Demographics and Planning at King Consulting, said at the meeting. “But again, pending this resolution, you will be set to go to put in an application for this funding in the current year.”

Each application is for a single school site. Regardless of how many applications are submitted across the state, everyone must get one of their applications funded before another can go back to get funding for multiple applications. BHUSD is looking to fund three school sites: El Rodeo, Hawthorne, and Horace Mann Elementary School. The funds will go towards adding specialty classrooms with special dimensions specifically for TK and Kindergarten kids. According to Murray, the state is requiring that classrooms be no less than 1350 square feet, including a dedicated restroom.

“There’s just a lot of benefit that comes from having the structure of these classrooms,” Murray added. “And especially with the increased number of these students coming in, it’s at least helpful that there is some funding that the state is making available.”

In his Superintendent report, Dr. Michael Bregy provided the board with an update on COVID-19 at the district. After Winter Break, 293 positive COVID-19 cases were reported at BHUSD the week of Jan. 9. After Spring Break, the week of April 17, 17 positive cases were reported in the district. As of April 27, the district is reporting nine positive cases among students, and one among staff. While the district’s positive case numbers have drastically decreased since January, cases have almost doubled from early March, when that number was four. With the new dominant BA.2 subvariant and increased gatherings over the Spring Break, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) reported an increase in K-12 student positivity in an April 27 release.

Despite the uptick in cases at BHUSD and nearby schools, the district concluded its weekly PCR COVID-19 testing program on April 22, which had tested all unvaccinated students and a random selection of vaccinated students.

“We are holding our own and doing a really good job of mitigating the spread,” Bregy said. “To have nine during this time, we feel really good about. Some of the mitigation efforts that are ongoing, that have become consistent practices, are things that we’re continuing to do, and those things are working for us.”

The district will continue to offer daily COVID-19 Rapid Antigen testing for all symptomatic and non-symptomatic staff and students at all BHUSD school sites from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through the end of the school year. “We have had a decrease in the need and demand for our testing, but we still have it available,” Bregy said. “So, we’re looking at returning to the pre-Omicron rush to where we have a rotating cycle.” Bregy indicated that the previous rotating testing program, where rapid testing will be available on different school campuses for students and staff depending on the day, will be reinstated next year. However, Rapid Antigen testing will still be available every day at the district office.

With the retirement of Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Wade Roach, and the Director of Information Technology Services, David Damico, the board welcomed two new hires: Raphael Guzman and Sandi Tsosie.

Guzman, with over thirteen years of experience in school district finance, will take over Roach’s job. Previously, he served as the Chief Business Official of Inglewood Unified School District, during which time he achieved many positive financial certifications, settled collective bargaining agreements, facilitated the implementation of a new bond measure, and helped the advancement of several construction and facilities projects.

Tsosie, with awards from the California Industrial and Technology Education Association and the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, will assume Damico’s position. Tsosie spent the first 12 years of her career at the Hermosa Beach City School District, with experience as a Career and Technical Education Instructor, Title I and Intervention Coordinator, Student Council Advisor, Detention Coordinator, and Girls’ Basketball Coach.

The next Board of Education will be held on May 10 at 5 p.m.

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Last week, Beverly Vista Middle School (BVMS) participated in “Dude. Be Nice” week, a national initiative to promote kindness and practice empathy on school campuses. The program encourages acts of kindness through various activities and highlights how much kindness matters in local communities. Holding up handmade signs that read “BVMS appreciates you” and “thank you,” students walked down South Beverly Drive, meeting and thanking many business owners in the community.

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/27/the-standardized-testing-dilemma-expert-advice-on-college-admissions/ Sun, 27 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/27/the-standardized-testing-dilemma-expert-advice-on-college-admissions/ As we emerge from the most restrictive aspects of a pandemic world, parents and students alike are cheering a return to normalcy in education.

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The Courier’s Guest Columnist Adam Stone has helped students navigate the world of undergraduate and graduate admissions testing as a test prep and academic tutor for more than 20 years. A graduate of Stanford University, Stone has also helped develop materials for prep companies and worked with school districts to bridge the gap between academics and measurement. Stone can be reached at www.adamstonetutoring.com.

As we emerge from the most restrictive aspects of a pandemic world, parents and students alike are cheering a return to normalcy in education. It seems, however, that not everything may be returning. When SAT and ACT testing sites were shut down by COVID-19 in March 2020, a class of applicants found themselves largely unable to provide test scores. Colleges were forced to accept a temporary paradigm shift in numbers-based admissions policies and drop the testing requirement. While the testing centers have since returned, it seems that testing requirements may not, a complicated decision sure to be met by mixed reactions.

Many parents are confused about the role standardized testing should play in their child’s college admission process. That is understandable. Standardized testing has long been controversial as a tool for admission. I’ve always considered it a bit of a necessary evil, an attempt to make sense of an educational system that lacks cohesion. While universities in the United Kingdom can rely on GCSEs to evaluate students according to a national curriculum, our network of 50 different state educational systems and 35,000 private schools means tremendous disparity in curriculum and opportunity. Compulsory education without national standards means we are committed to educating everyone, but we don’t educate everyone the same way. It makes for an incredibly challenging task of comparing students from different areas and experiences, leaving admissions officers to lean on the SAT and ACT.

Both exams attempt to correct the problem, creating scoring curves that allow schools to evaluate students according to a uniform standard, but they have faced accusations that the standard isn’t a fair one. Anti-testing advocates contend that standardized tests tend to produce lower scores for students of color and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Testing advocates counter that those results are caused by differences in educational opportunities, not the tests themselves, and the disparity is not limited to testing alone. A study by Stanford’s Center for Education Policy Analysis, for example, found that application essays are even more prone to income-based influence. Students with the advantage of help find ample room to use it throughout the process. In fact, it can be argued that a proctored room is actually the one place that a student cannot receive immediate assistance.

When factors of race and socioeconomic status are taken into account, test scores can provide a valuable and uniform tool, but many admissions offices exacerbated problems by using it as a sort of low tide mark. Scores below a certain level automatically disqualified many students, even some with circumstances that merited further consideration. Race conscious admissions at schools like Harvard helped to address these problems even before schools went test-optional, raising admissions numbers for minority students and creating a more diverse campus population. Still, the removal of testing requirements changed the perception of what was possible, and the resulting application numbers were astounding.

Test-Optional Numbers

In the first application cycle of broad test-optional policies, numbers soared. Test-optional Harvard saw its applicants increase from 40,248 to 57,435, a 43% change. Stanford rose from 47,498 to 55,471. And while application numbers to the newly test-blind UC system actually fell slightly in 2020, they’ve rebounded with an increase of more than 30,000 new applicants to 203,842 this past fall. Without testing, the application process feels open to students who wouldn’t have felt qualified in years past. The other side of that coin, of course, is that admissions rates have naturally plummeted. Incoming class sizes remain the same and occupy a smaller proportion of the applicant pool. It’s become even more impossible to get into impossible schools. As many schools have committed to remaining test optional for the time being, those daunting numbers could be here to stay. And yet, this can actually be good news for both test takers and non-test takers alike. I’ve had a number of parents ask me a simple question over the last two years: should my child test? The answer is, unfortunately, more complicated: it depends.

Students will still need to strongly consider taking the SAT and ACT, as these exams now confer an even more important benefit. Schools are understandably reticent to release official data on the difference in admissions percentages for test takers and non-test takers. After all, they maintain that a student won’t be harmed by declining to submit test scores. Privately, however, they tell a different tale, with a distinct advantage being conferred upon test takers. At a prominent southern university, submitting test scores left students twice as likely to be admitted. This has been the case for many schools that went test optional years ago, and it’s now playing out across a broader stage. According to Wes Hill of college counseling firm Wise World Prep, it’s significantly harder to get into highly selective without test scores now that test optional policies have expanded application numbers. I had a number of students in the class of 2021 who were fortunate enough to complete their testing in the fall of their junior year, and I watched those students benefit in the admissions process when their classmates found themselves unable to submit scores. This benefit is unlikely to change, and for stronger test takers, the irony is that the removal of testing requirements just might provide an even bigger boost.

To Test or Not to Test

Why, then, don’t I recommend testing for all? It comes down to time and value. While it’s true that testing provides a huge benefit for many students, it has always hurt others. The removal of that low tide mark is tremendous news for the types of students who previously banged their heads against the wall in the pursuit of marginal score improvements. If the SAT and ACT are no longer required, those students can quite simply find better ways to spend their time, ways that benefit their prospects without causing headaches and stress. While testing certainly conveyed benefits to certain students this past year, plenty of students were able to impress admissions officers and gain entry to the class of 2025 without them. If a student is unlikely to see a score that aids their academic profile, they should turn to other pursuits.

So, how do students and parents make that decision? Thankfully, the SAT and ACT help with the process with free testing materials. Students can take a diagnostic test, look at their results and their desired schools, and work with their parents or counselor to decide whether study and preparation are a worthwhile investment. That’s a choice many students didn’t have in the past, and hopefully one that will continue well into the future. While the elimination of testing requirements has certainly made life more difficult for admissions officers, it’s allowed greater opportunities for students to reflect their best selves on applications, and that’s a change we can all get behind.

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/26/bhusd-takes-up-wellness-initiatives/ Sat, 26 Mar 2022 09:07:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/26/bhusd-takes-up-wellness-initiatives/ "I'm so glad that we are in a different place today because this is not only a rite of passage, but an area that we can celebrate the success of our students, our staff, and also our school district," Bregy said. "This is an amazing event."

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]]> With the number of positive COVID-19 numbers among students and staff holding steadily in the single digits, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education turned its attention to new wellness initiatives, student accomplishments and graduation plans. 

At its March 22 meeting, the board supported a reduction in single use plastic water bottles sold on campus, solicited volunteers to review school cafeteria food on the new Wellness Committee, and heard a COVID-19 update. Since adopting a “your mask, your choice” stance on March 12, the district reported one active positive case among all students, and four among staff on March 22. “Today is day seven of the optional masking, and we’ve not seen any indication at all that there has been an increase to our COVID-19 cases,” BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy told the board.

Bregy asked the community to save the date for the Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) class of 2022 graduation, which will be held June 3 at 9 a.m. on the Nickoll Football Field. In the spring of last year, he noted that staff were unsure in what capacity an in-person graduation ceremony could be held, if at all. 

“I’m so glad that we are in a different place today because this is not only a rite of passage, but an area that we can celebrate the success of our students, our staff, and also our school district,” Bregy said. “This is an amazing event.”

School staff also announced that the food services department is recruiting volunteers in the district to be part of the new Wellness Committee, which is tasked with reviewing nutritional guidelines for food items available at school. The committee will evaluate current menu offerings, look at guidelines for reimbursable meals, and goals related to nutrition education and physical activity. 

“We know that this is an area that has a lot of interest from our community, and so our goal here is to see who is interested,” Bregy said.

Those interested in participating must email cafe@bhusd.org by March 25 at 3 p.m. and will be provided an application. The committee will meet on April 6 from 3  to 4:30 p.m. and April 30 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and then make recommendations to the board on how to improve wellness policy. 

At the request of Board member Noah Margo, a discussion took place regarding the elimination of single use plastic bottles available to purchase in the cafeteria. “I think it’s time for our city and our community to start putting practices in place that are protective of the environment,” said Margo. “I am not calling for an all-out ban of plastic bottles immediately, but what I would love to be able to do is look into what that would entail.”

Board members agreed with Margo, advising staff to bring more information regarding student access to water filters and implications on the existing food program before taking any official action. 

Margo also requested that the Board discuss a potential resolution or additional bylaw to discourage governing board members from endorsing candidates in local elections. “We are in another election cycle this year, and people are asking each other all the time for endorsements,” Margo said. “Who we vote for is our business and it doesn’t dissuade people from voting who they vote for. But I think in a small community like ours, it starts to have the appearance of playing favors.”

However, the idea was not supported by other members, and the discussion was brief. 

“It is part of the political process, and it is each individual’s right to endorse whom they like or whom they feel that they want to endorse, or to not endorse at all,” said Board President Mary Wells said. “I think it’s up to the individual, and I wouldn’t want to interfere with that.” 

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/24/bhusd-board-takes-step-to-course-correct-bond-program/ Thu, 24 Mar 2022 18:52:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/25/bhusd-board-takes-step-to-course-correct-bond-program/ Frustration among trustees has also grown since TCDS came on board in 2017, with members complaining about a lack of transparency on the part of Blake and TCDS.

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]]> The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education has put out a request looking for a new manager of the district’s bond program in a 4-1 vote. The move marks the latest chapter in a saga that has seen the public and members of the board sour on the program’s current manager, Team Concept Development Services (TCDS), run by owner Don Blake.

“At best, I have found our current process, systems and information we are receiving regarding the state of our construction program to be opaque,” Board member Gabriel Halimi, who was absent for the meeting but explained his vote in a detailed letter, wrote. “Just over the last few months, we’ve found ourselves surprised, confused and frustrated. And given the fact that we’re over budget and delayed in delivery, there are questions that need clear answers.”

In 2008, Beverly Hills voters passed Measure E, allowing BHUSD to issue $334 million in bonds. Another bond measure, Measure BH, passed in 2018, authorizing the district to issue another $385 million in bonds. Together, the bonds provide funding for modernization, seismic retrofits, new buildings, and improved security.

But since 2008 and 2018, many of the improvements promised by Measures E and BH have failed to materialize on time or on budget, with certain projects scrapped from the plans altogether. In an October study session, Blake reported to the board that the program was short by $129 million, though TCDS recently put out a revised figure of $89 million.

The delays and cost overruns have led to frustration among Beverly Hills taxpayers, especially those whose children attend BHUSD schools.

“During the entire elementary tenure of my children, they lacked clean bathrooms, adequate classrooms, a presentable cafeteria, and they didn’t benefit from the safe playgrounds or even an auditorium to graduate in,” said one parent, Daphna Hollander, in a public comment. “We put our trust in these board members and others, and unfortunately, we feel let down and lied to. My daughter is now in high school.”

Frustration among trustees has also grown since TCDS came on board in 2017, with members complaining about a lack of transparency on the part of Blake and TCDS.

“From the time that I’ve been on this board, and prior to that, sitting on the [Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee], I do believe that we have an issue with transparency and accountability when it comes to our bond construction program,” said Board President Mary Wells.

Over the course of TCDS’s tenure, Wells said that it has been “very difficult” to receive information from the bond manager “so that I can have the sufficient amount of information that I need as a board member to make an informed decision.”

Trustee Rachelle Marcus expressed concerns over TCDS’s monthly payroll costs, which she said, “amounted to $268,000 for the month of February.” At that level, the firm would bill the district more than $3.2 million for a year of work.

“I find that amount unbelievable,” Marcus said.

Marcus and others also raised concerns about the process through which TCDS received its contract with the district, saying that the five-year contract had not gone through the typical request process.

“Five years ago,” Marcus said, “there was no [Request for Proposals (RFP)] at that time. The agreement was negotiated with no competing bids.”

Board Vice President Noah Margo pushed back on this, saying that a request had been made in 2016. However, Margo acknowledged in follow-up questions from the Courier that TCDS had not submitted a proposal in 2016. Furthermore, the request put out in 2016 was for construction management services, not bond management services, which TCDS provides.

The school board already voted on Feb. 1 to put out a request for a new bond manager, with the TCDS contract due to expire on July 17. The vote on March 22 approved the language and specifics of that request. Both votes split along the same lines, with Margo casting the lone dissenting votes.

The request gives interested parties until May 23 to submit a proposal. It calls for submissions from firms with “extensive experience in construction of public-school facilities in California,” along with other relevant qualifications. It does not state when the board will make a final selection. 

While TCDS is not barred from submitting a proposal of its own, Blake must first renew his contractor’s license to quality. 

Halimi called for a restructuring of the relationship between the board and the bond manager, whoever that may end up being. As currently structured, the bond manager reports directly to the Board of Trustees, which is charged with interpreting the reports and holding the bond manager accountable. But Halimi, addressing his colleagues in the letter, acknowledged his own limitations in performing that task.

“I, like all of you, am a part time volunteer and not a professional, full time board member. The onus is not and should not be on us as board members to be experts in construction management, forensic accounting, our property inspection and know exactly what reports to request and data to see and then chase the information we’re not getting,” he wrote.

The reports should instead pass through intermediaries with the right backgrounds and expertise to interpret and explain the data to both the board and the public, he said.

Margo, the only current trustee on the board when Blake took over as bond manager in 2017, made an impassioned defense of the bond program and Blake at odds with the rest of the board. Margo described the program as “unparalleled and recognized by every governing state agency involved in our projects.”

“They are a World Series Super Bowl championship team that we are on the verge of getting rid of,” he said.

An audit of the district’s bond management program covering fiscal year 2019-2020 praised BHUSD and TCDS as consisting “of highly experienced development professionals with a strong track record of successful completed projects.” 

Margo said that architects, constructions firms, and contractors working on the construction projects have all applauded “the success of the program.” Even members of the board had extended kind words to Blake as recently as December, with then-President Rachelle Marcus saying she “continued to be amazed at the complications and the unbelievable amount of work and the fact that it’s proceeding is amazing.”

“The decision that is about to be made by this governing body is perhaps the most dangerous and impactful decision I’ve ever been a part of,” Margo said, a mistake he attributed to a changing “narrative combined with a lack of understanding.”

Many of the arguments put forward by Margo were echoed by a Change.org petition circulating just before the vote. Though it only attracted a few dozen signatures, the petition, authored by Deena Wachtel, characterized the vote as “bear[ing] the hallmarks of a false flag initiative” and landed in the inbox of each member of the Board of Trustees. It was shared on social media by Laura Margo, the wife of Noah Margo and a commissioner on the Human Relations Commission.

“Have you decided they are just too expensive?” the petition asks. “Have you made any effort to discuss your concerns with TCDS?  Going through an RFP and award process will definitively drive up costs and possibly durations for the construction efforts, so presumably cost is not your primary concern.”

Former board Vice President Tristen Walker-Shuman, who signed the petition, compared the cost overruns to gas prices.

“Let’s say you owned a business that relies heavily on driving and you allow for $4.50 per gallon for gas and all the sudden the price per gallon goes up to $6,” Walker-Shuman wrote. “Does that mean that you have planned poorly and are over budget? No, it means the price of the commodity has changed so you need to make adjustments like passing the price onto the consumer.”

Walker-Shuman also pointed out to the recent competition of the Beverly Hills High School buildings B1 and B2, which came in on time and under budget as proof of the success of TCDS.

“Trying to say that this means you’re over budget or have poorly planned or mismanaged is absolute gaslighting,” wrote Walker-Shuman, who resigned from the board in September following allegations that she misrepresented her residency status. “This push to replace TCDS and put out for an RFP is nothing more than propaganda.”

In his letter, Halimi acknowledged some of the unforeseen challenges faced by TCDS in executing the bond measures, namely “previously unknown oil well issues, COVID-19, inflation escalations, and the fact that we’re in the worst supply chain crisis of our lifetime.”

But Halimi, like other board members, could not accept these explanations at face value without clear data to back them up.

“In theory, we could have the best managed bond and construction program in the country, but [with] the data I have today, I haven’t been able to come to any conclusions,” he said. “But now, with the imminent expiration of the five-year TCDS contract, we have the opportunity to course correct and I believe we must take it.” 

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/21/beverly-hills-students-named-as-music-center-spotlight-finalists/ Mon, 21 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/21/beverly-hills-students-named-as-music-center-spotlight-finalists/ Two Beverly Hills high students have been named as semifinalists in The Music Center's 34th annual Spotlight (Spotlight) program, a nationally acclaimed performing arts competition, scholarship and artistic development program for teenagers.

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Two Beverly Hills high students have been named as semifinalists in The Music Center’s 34th annual Spotlight (Spotlight) program, a nationally acclaimed performing arts competition, scholarship and artistic development program for teenagers. Beverly Hills High School senior Taylor Fuchs is competing in the acting category, while Beverly Hills resident Ruby Laks, a senior at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, is competing in the Classical Voice and Jazz Instrumental category.

The Spotlight program provides Southern California teens with expert advice, coaching, auditions and mastery classes taught by professional artists and arts administrators. Participants receive individual feedback from industry professionals, performance opportunities and more than $100,000 in cash awards through three rounds of auditions.

This year, more than 1,300 teens representing more than 256 schools, 181 cities and eight counties auditioned for the pro- gram. Students compete in seven categories: acting, classical voice, non-classical voice, ballet, dance, classical instrumental and jazz instrumental. All applicants receive written feedback from distinguished panels of judges following each audition round to help students improve and gain knowledge in their particular performance discipline.

Spotlight semifinalists have the opportunity to attend a special mastery class in their discipline with highly regarded artists, who share their expertise on performance technique, training and professional life. Experts provide students with highly valuable feedback on their performances, offering them a rich learning experience. Each semi-finalist will audition again before a new panel of judges, who will then select the top two finalist performers in each category for a total of 14 Grand Prize Finalists. The Grand Prize Finalists will perform in The Music Center’s Spotlight Grand Finale Performance on June 15 at the Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre.

For more information about The Music Center’s Spotlight program, visit musiccenter.org/spotlight.

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Beverly Vista Middle School (BVMS) students took part in the Beverly Hills Junior Chef competition on March 8, cooking up creative dishes in 90 minutes with a mystery box of ingredients. The competition was held at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) and livestreamed on the student television station, KBEV. The event was the culmination of a six-week long interdisciplinary Gifted and Talented Education enrichment program that merged students interested in media production and culinary arts. More than 20 BVMS cooking students and 10 BVMS media students participated, working with chef Rick Leece from the school’s culinary program, Media Director Romeo Carey and Assistant Media Director Ricky Lee. Culinary students were placed on teams and judged on the presentation, flavor, and texture of their creations. The winning team consisted of BHHS students Kiley Davidson, Madison Chen and Chase Chen.

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/15/beverly-hills-students-in-the-news/ Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:15:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/15/beverly-hills-students-in-the-news/ Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) students of all ages are being recognized nationally for their achievements in the arts and sciences.

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Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) students of all ages are being recognized nationally for their achievements in the arts and sciences. From visual artists at Hawthorne Elementary to musicians at the high school, below are some of the students that exemplify creativity and commitment to excellence across all levels.

At Beverly Hills High School (BHHS), 11th grader Chloe Kate Truong was selected to represent Beverly Hills as a National Youth Correspondent in the 2022 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University being held in Virginia this July.

The prestigious program has been going on for over 30 years, where a group of 300 students can network with the some of the top journalists and media professionals in the country.

“I think that being a National Youth Correspondent is about getting the opportunity to represent something that I care about,” Truong told the Courier. “It’s about people’s lives and the work that they have done for the world, and likewise learning how to communicate the message that you want others to hear. BHHS has allowed me to explore my passions and find success on both an academic and a personal level.”

The interactive program provides high-achieving high school students access to distinguished leaders in media and are awarded transcripts, letters of recommendation, a certificate of achievement that can be included in college applications and college credit from The American University.

“The skills and determination to succeed that I have honed there will lead me through this program,” Truong told the Courier. “Information is invaluable, it practically runs the world. And having the right information allows for democracy to thrive, diplomacy to be possible, and cultural and societal awareness to blossom. As a National Youth Correspondent, I would be learning more about how information gets crafted and shared in a way that benefits the world.”

At Hawthorne, six students received awards in this year’s “Youth Art Month” art show and competition as part of the national arts program directed by the California Art Education Association. These students competed against others in the county in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional categories and now move on to the next level, the Southern California Area Competition. BHUSD elementary students placed above their peers in ceramics, multi-media, candle-making, fiber arts and ink work.

“To be recognized by the leaders in Art Education means a great deal to us; that we have something very special going on here at Hawthorne,” Elizabeth Federman, a veteran elementary school art teacher at the district told the Courier. “For students to see their artwork displayed around the school is so motivating for them. It reinforces their accomplishments. They know and understand that when they work hard, they can be really proud of themselves. But then to be at the top of their peers in all of Los Angeles County, that is like icing on the cake. I am excited to see how our students will do in the Southern California Area Competition.”

At BHHS, Suhh Yeon Kim, a junior orchestra student, auditioned for and was accepted to participate in this year’s California All-State High School String Orchestra at the California Music Educators Conference in Fresno this past February. Out of several hundred students who auditioned, Kim was judged as one of the highest-ranking musicians, and qualified to rehearse and perform with guest conductor Kayoko Dan, Director of Orchestral Activities and Assistant Professor at Sam Houston State University and the Music Director of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera in Tennessee.

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]]> https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/12/bhusd-donation-drive-for-ukraine/ Sat, 12 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000 https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2022/03/12/bhusd-donation-drive-for-ukraine/ The Beverly Hills Unified School District Parent Teacher Association Council is holding a district wide donation drive, collecting new and gently used items to help Ukrainian refugees.

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The Beverly Hills Unified School District Parent Teacher Association Council is holding a district wide donation drive, collecting new and gently used items to help Ukrainian refugees. Donations can be dropped off now through March 21 at collection bins that are located at the Hamel Drive gates outside of Horace Mann Elementary School. Items such as clothing, thermal underwear, blankets, sleeping bags, yoga mats, rugs, sheets, diapers, infant formula, baby bottles, batteries, power banks, toys, flashlights, first aid kits, candles and matches are all being requested.

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Related Story: BHUSD Sees Outbreak as County Cases Surge

“When we had three cases in a day at one school, it literally is 12 to 15 hours of work for the administration to do the contact tracing, to get students tested, to send out emails, to make phone calls, and to then document the data,” BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said during the Jan. 18 meeting. “And that’s when there were two to three cases a day. Now, we’re averaging about 60 cases a day and we have the same staff to do that.”

In a Jan. 21 email, Bregy reported that positive test results from new cases decreased from last week to this week by approximately 71% at the high school and decreased by approximately 68% at Hawthorne Elementary. Still, while the district’s positive COVID-19 case rate remains a concern for school staff, Dr. Bregy told the Courier the district is not short on tests. Early on, the district partnered with two outside COVID-19 testing companies to help school administrators manage a case surge. “BHUSD is fortunate to be in a position where staff shortages are significant but not yet impeding us from performing the functions necessary to run our schools,” Bregy told the Courier.

According to Bregy, the administration’s priority is to remove students who test positive for COVID-19 from the school environment to avoid any transmission in the classroom or at lunch. “We are still contact tracing,” he said. “It’s really important that we do that. We are struggling with the sheer numbers, but we do believe that getting that information, especially if it is a situation where there has been an exposure to another student, that we do inform families, that we provide that testing.”

In Los Angeles, the COVID-19 vaccine is available for those aged five and up with booster shots recommended for those age 12 and up. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health), Pfizer is the only vaccine authorized for those under the age of 18.

Public Health statistics through Jan. 16 indicate that 27.6% of BHUSD students between the ages of five and 11 are fully vaccinated, and 84.4 % of those aged 12-18 are fully vaccinated. While health officials hope to expand vaccine eligibility for children as young as six months old, a sizable cohort of the student population remains unprotected from serious illness from COVID-19.

Currently, the BHUSD Student Testing Program is driven by positive cases. All unvaccinated students are tested for COVID-19 weekly, as well as a random selection of vaccinated students.

Testing is now available at every school site and the District Office every school day between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm.

In anticipation of the high number of tests required, Bregy noted that a minimum of three COVID-19 testers from an outside testing company were added at each school site, in addition to extra staff where there are high close contact counts. “Between elective testing, required testing, close contact testing, and symptomatic testing we are testing on average 1000 people daily with rapid antigen tests,” Bregy told the Courier.

Related Story: Mary Wells Installed as BHUSD Board President

Still, the district is coping with unforeseen staffing shortages and long wait times. On the morning of Jan. 18, student testing was delayed because four members of the testing team tested positive themselves.

 The district began the new semester on Jan. 10 amid record-breaking case numbers driven by the highly infectious omicron variant. Over 200 students and 40 staff tested positive for COVID-19 after a district-wide testing day on Jan. 9. Equipped with over 9,000 rapid antigen COVID-19 tests, each of the district’s 3,300 students and roughly 750 staff were tested. The district also distributed tests to household members accompanying students in the same car.

Exposure protocols at BHUSD include five-day quarantine requirements, with close contacts allowed a modified quarantine based on their vaccination status. “Close contact” is defined as 15 cumulative minutes of exposure in a 24-hour time span within 6 feet of someone who has tested positive.  Public Health mandates that close contacts be tested on both day 0 and day five.

“We have this opportunity where the testing can occur when you’re a close contact and that could occur at our sites with a quick return back to school,” Bregy said. “This is probably the biggest change since returning in the beginning of the year.”

An asymptomatic and unvaccinated close contact must isolate at home for at least five days, unless they test daily before school until day five. On the fifth day, if they have no symptoms, they may return to school masked (both indoors and outdoors) if they have a negative antigen test administered by the district. The district also instituted a new policy for this current surge whereby the siblings of infected students are assumed to be positive as well and must isolate for the minimum five days. Quarantine for unvaccinated close contacts is now limited to mask-off exposures.

Asymptomatic and unvaccinated infected students are now given the option of a modified quarantine if they test negative and if the exposure took place in the school setting supervised by school staff. According to revised Public Health guidelines updates Jan. 18, the exposed student and the person with a COVID-19 diagnosis must have each worn a mask consistently and correctly during the entire exposure period. Modified Quarantine students can return to all regular activities including sports and extracurricular.

Close contacts that are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated with a booster (if eligible) can return immediately to the classroom if they test negative. However, the district will still test them again on day five.

“If our district gets vaccinated, can we eliminate mass testing,” asked board member Noah Margo. He argued for bold action to “get our kids back to regular learning, because that’s what’s being hurt the most…our kids are falling behind. We know that. We have to be realistic about that.”

“I’m always up for a good fight, but to take on the LA County Department of Public Health, we’d be shut down instantly,” Bregy said. “We’ve had a couple of classrooms where we’ve had three or more cases where they’re epidemiologically linked, and that’s never happened before. But it shows how contagious this variant is. And so that’s a county direction then, to shut down these classrooms if that continues, and we’re working really hard so that that doesn’t happen.”

Public Health defines a COVID-19 outbreak as three confirmed cases within a 14-day period of each other in a specified group with members who are epidemiologically linked, do not share a household, and are not a close contact of each other outside of the campus. Per Health Officer Orders, the district is required to report the cluster to Public Health and coordinate a response. “We immediately reported these cases to LACDPH and they explained that the links may have been during eating at lunch,” Bregy told the Courier. “But due to the surge, they are not able to rule out that the students may have been infected from an off-campus source.” According to Bregy, Public Health officials did not conclude the cases were an outbreak and therefore did not recommend an outbreak response plan.

“I believe that as a board, we have not done our job by actually taking a more proactive and active approach towards making policy towards COVID-19 and what we’re seeing,” board member Gabriel Halimi said.

“Beverly Hills is a very special place,” Halimi said, citing access to talented educators, world-class medical professionals, and an actively engaged parent community. “We are not some small town in the middle of the country,” he added. “We are Beverly Hills, and we have some of the best data and the best ability to make decisions and policy out of anybody anywhere.”

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Through the end of January (this could be extended if COVID-19 cases continue to rise), Beverly Hills Public Library will provide Side-Walk pick-up from 9:30 -11:45 a.m., and the building will be open to the public for Grab & Go services from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

The Library will be closed on the weekends, but guests are encouraged to use the library’s robust digital library which provides a host of online services, including e-books and digital entertainment, resources in learning and enrichment and more. 

In addition, limited passport services will be offered. Passport photos will not be offered; those seeking passports through the library will have to supply their own official passport size photo. 

The Friends Book Store will be closed until January 31, and could be extended if COVID-19 cases continue to rise. 

For more information and to access digital services, visit www.bhpl.org or call (310) 288-2244.  

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“The magnitude of the Omicron variant and the impact it is having on learning cannot be understated. Although we are confident in our ability to pivot, the number of students in quarantine is unlike anything we have experienced without transitioning the entire school to Distance Learning,” BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said in a statement.

The district saw early warning signs about the variant in the last days of the fall semester. By the start of winter break on Dec. 21, the district reported 40 infections among students and 12 among staff. School board members told the Courier that the district might have to consider testing each student prior to the resumption of learning.

On the morning of Jan. 9, the Sunday before classes, administrators, teachers, and staff marshaled at Hawthorne with more than 9,000 rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. In addition to testing each of the district’s 3,300 students and roughly 750 staff, the district distributed tests to household members accompanying students in the same car.

Guests who came to the testing first checked in with an official on Rexford Drive to verify the enrollment status of students. The district told the Courier that a number of individuals without students in the district attempted to secure tests but were turned away. Then, cars made their way onto Elevado Avenue and into the Hawthorne parking lot, where the district had erected a field office to distribute tests and log results as they came in. After getting the tests, the guests parked on the surrounding streets to self-administer them.

For many staff and faculty assisting in the process, the day became an enjoyable “soft open” for the spring term. “It’s been really nice to see families that we taught a long time ago and have been in the district for a long time,” Hawthorne Principal Sarah Kaber told the Courier. “It’s been a really nice day actually.”

Parents largely expressed gratitude for the service and its execution, with wait times often taking less than five minutes.

“I thought it would be a mess [with] cars waiting in line. It’s really fast. I’m really surprised,” said one parent named Sarah who declined to give her last name.

But allowing parents and students to administer the tests themselves also seemed to open the tests up to wider margins of human error. The Courier observed some younger students struggle with the dense instructions. Remus “RJ” Johnson, a long-time security guard at Hawthorne, told the Courier that he helped some families whose first language was not English.

“Some parents, they cannot read English,” said the college-age cousin of two BHUSD students who drove his cousins to the testing site and asked for anonymity to speak candidly. “They’re foreign. How can they do it?”

The testing protocols instituted by the district acknowledged the limitations of the rapid antigen tests, which are less reliable than polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Those with positive test results were then directed to the district office for a second antigen test. If that one also returned a positive, the individual was considered an active case. If, however, the second test came back negative, one of the district’s COVID-19 testing contractors would administer PCR test, the results of which determined the person’s status.

At a time of nationwide testing shortages, “the challenge was securing tests,” School Board President Mary Wells told the Courier. The district placed an order for tests with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health), but suspecting that demand might outstrip supply, district officials worked with existing contractors to acquire antigen tests of their own. By Jan. 9, the district still had not received any tests from Public Health, officials said.

The district had a contingency plan for families who did not attend the Jan. 9
drive- thru. On Jan. 10, in conjunction with the city and police department, the district shut down Rexford Drive along the Civic Center for a second drive-thru event.

In a demonstration of omicron’s virulence, the district shared that “numerous people who tested negative” on Jan. 9 developed symptoms afterwards and tested positive the next day.

The district reported the results of its own testing along with tests administered separately on Jan. 11, which showed 39 active cases among staff and 159 among students, by far the largest number of cases since the start of the pandemic. By Jan. 13, the case numbers had risen to 48 and 219, respectively.  

All of the nearly 270 infected students and staff will have isolate at home for at least five days. On the fifth day, if they no longer show symptoms, they may return to class with a negative antigen test.

In an abundance of caution, the district has instituted a new policy for this latest wave whereby the siblings of infected students are assumed to be positive as well. They, too, must isolate for the minimum five days. Isolating students can attend class via Zoom. 

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Rachelle Marcus, Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Trustees liaison, reported to the commission that the district had seen an uptick in cases prior to the Dec. 21 start of winter break. As of Dec. 21, the district reported 40 active cases in students and 12 in staff, all together representing over 40% of all cases detected in the current school year.  

“It’s…almost somewhat of a blessing that tomorrow is the last day of school for almost two and a half weeks,” Marcus said. “Hopefully, we will be able to get a feel when we come back [of] what’s happening.”

Marcus added that she felt “very nervous about January 10,” the day students return from winter break. She floated the idea that every student should be tested before returning to class on the first Monday of school, though the proposal has not been discussed by the full board.

In response to questions from the Courier, School Board Members Noah Margo and Amanda Stern, and President Mary Wells voiced support for proactively testing before the resumption of classes. Board member Gabriel Halimi did not respond to a request for comment.

The district has the third highest rate of vaccinations in the county among students ages 12-18, nearly 93% of whom have received at least one dose of the vaccine. For students between the ages of 5-11, the most recent cohort for whom the FDA granted vaccine approval, about 28% have been vaccinated. Marcus stated that she would like to make vaccines mandatory for all eligible students, though the board previously declined to take such action.

Currently, the district requires unvaccinated students to get tested once a week. Additionally, the district screens a random selection of vaccinated students along with students who have come into contact with an infectious individual.

For unvaccinated students who are exposed to the virus but test negative, they must quarantine for 10 days with the option of testing after day five and returning after a week. For vaccinated students or those with a recent infection who come into close contact with a positive COVID-19 infection, no quarantine is required provided they test negative.  

The new variant has led to an eerily familiar scene of last-minute cancellations and postponements for events. The American Film Institute postponed its awards luncheon scheduled for Jan. 7 at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills citing “concerns over current health conditions,” according to a statement.

“Throughout the country, we’re seeing increased lines for testing, increased demand for home tests as case counts rise across the board. We’re seeing events all across our communities and communities across the nation being impacted,” Emergency Manager Meena Janmohamed told the commission. “All of this is less than one week until the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. So unfortunately, this recent COVID-19 surge is real and unfortunately timed.”

In a demonstration of Omicron’s virulence, officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed on Dec. 20 that omicron accounted for 73% of all new infections. On Dec. 22, Public Health announced that cases more than doubled over one day to 6,509, “one of the steepest rises we’ve ever seen over the course of the pandemic,” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

Beverly Hills’ relatively high vaccination rate puts it in a better position for the upcoming surge, according to experts. As of Dec. 16, nearly 77% of Beverly Hills residents 5 and older were fully vaccinated, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health)–more than 15% higher than the national average reported by the CDC.

While case numbers have started rising, this has not yet translated into the deluge of hospitalizations that Los Angeles experienced during the delta wave a year ago. According to Phil Hampton, Director of Communications for UCLA Health, UCLA Health hospitals had 17 COVID-19 positive patients as of Dec. 21–a number that has remained stable for the past two weeks.

“UCLA Health believes the region’s vaccination rate limits the likelihood of hospitalizations approaching levels seen in early January 2021,” Hampton told the Courier. He added that UCLA Health “is well-prepared in the event of an increase in the volume of patients requiring hospitalization.”

President Joe Biden took to the airwaves on Dec. 21 to address the omicron surge. He acknowledged the frustration shared by Americans across the country as they go into their second winter of COVID-19 discontent. He reiterated the advice of public health officials that in spite of a likely rise in breakthrough cases, vaccines still protect against severe illness and death.

While data related to the omicron variant remains sparse, Public Health previously reported on Nov. 15 that unvaccinated people are seven times more likely to get infected with the disease and 44 times more likely to be hospitalized.

Beverly Hills has opted to follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines issued by the county. Public Health currently requires face coverings while indoors except for when eating or drinking. Additionally, patrons must show proof of vaccination for access to indoor bars, breweries, nightclubs and lounges.

Cities including Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Pasadena and Culver City have implemented restrictions that go beyond the directives of the county. Los Angeles and West Hollywood, for instance, require proof of vaccination for indoor restaurants, fitness centers, personal care facilities, entertainment venues and city facilities.

“We’re not an island. Every action that we take has a reaction and all of our fates are tied with taking the right steps and protecting ourselves, our communities and the communities outside of us as well,” Janmohamed said.

Going into this next wave of infections, Janmohamed cautioned residents about making the mistakes of previous waves like “panic buying and hoarding.”

“We know that essential goods and items and services will not be shut down,” she said.  

Chair Cathy Baker warned that even milder infections can lead to the long-term complications known as long COVID. She also made an impassioned appeal to unvaccinated residents. 

“In our community, for those who have had past experiences distrusting government, whether here in the United States or living abroad, I have empathy. For those who have lived under tight government control where your personal freedoms such as freedom of speech is severely restricted, I have empathy,” she said. “But I want to say, these are very different concepts. Vaccines are about benefiting all people of every race, religion, gender, socio-economic background, and the like. Vaccines are about giving us our lives back so that we can enjoy the freedoms America has to offer. So please, reconsider.” 

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Instructors Rodney Mitchell and Alex Breitman started the journey of bringing a recording studio to the school’s students several years ago. Since then, they have been working with colleagues to piece that studio together through state and federal grant funding along with school district contributions. But a recent $50,000 donation made by Beverly Hills philanthropist and real estate agent Michael J. Libow marked the crescendo for Mitchell’s and Breitman’s vision. 

“The primary reason for my support of the arts in education within schools is to give students the opportunity to exercise the creative part of their brains which I feel is important to their development,” Libow told the Courier. 

Libow’s donation paid for the latest equipment and new instruments, bringing the music center to a higher level of professionalism, school staff told the Courier. 

Stepping through the main doors of the music center, it looks like a standard computer lab at first glance–rows of desks and computer monitors. But this lab is stocked with production equipment where students learn how to produce music. Through an interior door to the left is a recording booth equipped with a professional mixing board and other recording equipment. To the right is a creative studio filled with musical instruments including a piano, drums, guitars, synthesizers and microphones. It was in this creative space where Libow and BHHS students broke into a jam session during the Dec. 8 event. Libow, who is a musician to boot, sang lead vocals in an impromptu performance of The Beatles’ “Let It Be” with students backing him up on piano, drums and guitar. 

About 40 people attended the event including Beverly Hills City Councilmember Lester Friedman, Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Johnson, Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Superintendent of Schools Michael Bregy and other stakeholders. 

“It’s the kind of program that is symbolic of what Beverly Hills is all about,” Friedman told the Courier, saying it aligns with the city’s commitment to arts and to the youth who will become the future Beverly Hills community.  

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“I just want to acknowledge a hearty thank you for the honorable Mr. Goldstein for putting his hat in the ring. For any inconvenience that the miscalculation caused, I think as a board, we’re sorry for the slip up, but we’re all human, we make mistakes. I think the right thing to do is advance the seven candidates,” said Board member Noah Margo. 

After the Board discussed logistics, Margo made a motion to conduct interviews of the seven applicants on Nov. 2. “We will interview all the candidates with a 40-minute window for each candidate. Following that meeting, we will set a meeting to deliberate and vote,” said Margo. The motion was seconded by Mary Wells and passed unanimously with a 4-0 vote.

All seven candidates will be interviewed on the same day, one at a time. The interviews will be conducted in person during an open session and will be broadcast live from the Jon Cherney Lecture Hall at Beverly Hills High School. Each applicant will have to provide a negative COVID test before their respective interview slots. 

Board members will submit five to six questions to BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy by Oct. 29. “I don’t think we need to be too exhaustive,” Board member Dr. Amanda Stern said. “I think that maybe five or six questions could really help us. I think we all have a good sense of these seven at this time, but we do have to think carefully about how we would like to prepare our interview questions.” 

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This will be the first time the competition has taken place and it will bring teams from around the world to compete in games designed to test competitors’ skills in cybersecurity. During an Oct. 5 draft that was similar to professional sports drafts, Bulexa was selected for the team because of his skills in web security, binary exploitation, cryptography and reverse engineering. He is the only member of the 20-person team who is still in high school.

“I think it’s a really cool thing to be the youngest one on the team,” Bulexa told the Courier. “I can learn from the older people because they have more experience, and they can show me the ropes.”

The competition is for ages 8-26. Fortunately, Bulexa will be turning 18 before June 2022. He has been interested in cybersecurity since middle school and started entering small cyber competitions as a freshman in high school. When a chance to join the U.S. Cyber Games came up this year, Bulexa took his shot at making the team.

“One day I saw an ad for a cyber competition, and I was pretty interested and then I started competing,” Bulexa said. He entered the U.S. Cyber Open competition and was selected from there to go on to the Cyber Combine which invites the top 60 competitors from the open event to train and compete together. “Over the last couple of months, I started training with the team. We had these little weekly challenges, and then I got selected to be on the team.”

As if representing the U.S. and Beverly Hills in Athens was not impressive enough, Bulexa is on the school track team and is the captain of the science Olympiad. He also develops apps on the side and is simultaneously enrolled at Santa Monica College where he is poised to receive two Associates Degrees next year, one in Computer Science and one in Computer Engineering.

“It takes a big chunk of my day, but I manage to find a way to balance all of it,” said Bulexa.

While the Cyber Security Challenge is hosted in a spirit of fun and healthy competition, there is a serious underlying reason it exists. With recent high-profile cyber-attacks like the 2020 attack on technology company SolarWinds that left parts of the U.S. federal government exposed, cybersecurity is of growing concern to leaders around the world. President Joe Biden issued an executive order May 12 aimed at modernizing and protecting government networks in the U.S.

The international competition is aimed at creating a forum for identifying the world’s top young talent in cybersecurity. It also hopes to raise interest in the cybersecurity field among young people as public and private sector institutions are in a race to shore up their vulnerabilities.

The Cyber Security Challenge includes games to simulate real-world cyber-attack scenarios in a fun competitive setting. Some games are puzzle-like competitions known as “capture the flag” games. To capture a cyber flag, teams find vulnerabilities that are intentionally coded into a system, and they exploit them for points. There will also be “king of the hill” games in which teams compete for network supremacy by attacking, controlling and defending as much of a target network as they can.

Bulexa said the hardest part of the games is the preparation and research and then being able to apply that research to problems that come up in the competition.

“You’re not really sure what you’re trying to research, but after a couple hours of researching you kind of know where you’re trying to go,” Bulexa said. 

In addition to preparing for the competition in June and keeping up with schoolwork, Bulexa is applying to four-year colleges. He has his eye set on Stanford University, according to his mom Alina.

“It’s a big deal for him because it’s a big competition,” Alina told the Courier. “It’s an important event and I think it will help put Beverly Hills on the map because he’s the only one representing the West Coast.”

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Bulexa said. “I’m really grateful and thankful that I got on the team. I put a lot of hard work into it.”

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Nystrom, who has a Masters in Earth Sciences from Boston University and a Certificate in Sustainability from UCLA, brings her environmental knowledge to bear on environmental justice, climate change and social justice–and how to communicate those principles to a broader audience.

Nystrom, who was appointed to the Public Works Commission in July 2020, also serves on the Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee and the Community Advisory Committee Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

By its unpredictable nature, climate change has introduced an element of uncertainty into insurance markets. Nystrom will be joined by a panel of insurance and risk management experts discussing current climate conditions (drought, heat, wildfire), and the premise of insurance, risk identification, and management. The panel will also touch on what mitigation factors exist to reduce the severity and frequency of these climate conditions.

The seminar will take place on Oct. 26 from 12-2 p.m. Registration can be found at www.uclaextension.edu/uclaxopen.

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The resolution came after the board’s Sept. 28 vote approving that the vacancy be filled by a provisional appointment instead of holding a special election. According to Board President Rachelle Marcus, the county estimated the cost of holding a special election to be $480,000. The appointee will hold office for the remainder of Walker-Shuman’s term, which expires on Dec. 2, 2022. 

The new board member application asks candidates 20 questions, ranging from why they want to be a school board member, to elaborating on the district’s strengths and identify areas for improvement. Sample questions include: “How does the board’s role differ from that of the superintendent?”; “What should be the relationship between the board members and the administration in the handling of school concerns?” and “Briefly describe your commitment to public education and our local school district, among others.” Before submitting, applicants will be asked to sign their names and certify that all the information provided is accurate. 

To be eligible to apply for appointment to the Board of Education, an individual must be at least 18 years old; be a resident of the Beverly Hills Unified School District; be a registered voter in the state of California, and not be disqualified from holding civil office by the constitution or any state law. BHUSD employees may not be sworn into office as an elected or appointed member of the board unless they resign as an employee. 

To verify residential eligibility, visit: https://www.bhusd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=799244&type=d&pREC_ID=1656629. 

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The last board member election held during a regular election, in November of 2020, cost the district approximately $49,875. According to Education Code Section 5091(a)(1), a governing board has 60 days from the date of the vacancy or the filing of a deferred resignation to either make a provisional appointment or order a special election to fill the vacancy, which would be paid for by the district. Eligible candidates must be 18 years of age and a citizen of the state; a registered voter; a resident of the school district; not an employee of the school district (or the employee must resign before taking office) and not otherwise disqualified from holding office. While there is no specific process identified in the law concerning how potential candidates should be vetted, Board Bylaw 9223 states: “The Board shall accept nominations for Board membership at a public meeting and shall select the provisional appointee from among these nominees by a majority vote.”

“I have no one in mind, and I’m going to be very open minded when it comes to selecting a new person,” BHUSD Board President Rachelle Marcus told the Courier. “I’m looking for someone that comes in with some knowledge of the school district, so that they can fill in very quickly, someone who is able to make independent decisions, and someone who can work well with all the members of the school board. They don’t have to agree with them, but they have to be able to work with them.” The appointed candidate will serve for the rest of Walker-Shuman’s term, which expires Nov. 8, 2022. According to Marcus, this will be the fourth provisional appointment the Board will make. The district is expected to solicit candidate applications by advertising in local media as early as next week. A provisional appointment can be rejected with a petition signed by 1.5 %of registered voters in Beverly Hills. 

The issue of Walker-Shuman’s residency surfaced after an anonymous complaint sent on Aug. 26 alleged that Walker-Shuman had moved from Beverly Hills to Pittsburgh in August, thus disqualifying her from the position. 

Regarding Walker-Shuman’s resignation, Board member Noah Margo said, “I look to our community now and ask what we can learn from this unfortunate situation, whether you agree or not, with the events that led to our current vacancy.”

Margo continued, adding, “Based on the true evidence, what happened here isn’t a good thing. As part of our reflection and analysis, it’s important to consider the motivations that led here. Why would certain community members work so hard to disrupt a school board that has voted unanimously 99 percent of the time? Who ultimately stands to gain from disrupting your united school board in a time of pandemic and educational progress? I can only speculate as to the answers to these important questions.”

COVID-19 Guidance

Last week, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (Public Health) released updated guidance that gives school districts the option to allow unvaccinated students who have come into contact with a positive COVID-19 case to continue attending in-person classes under a modified quarantine (MQ). In order to qualify, the following criteria must be agreed on: the exposure took place in a school setting, supervised by school staff; the exposed student and the person with a COVID-19 diagnosis both wore a mask consistently and correctly during the entire exposure period, including outdoor exposures; they must test twice weekly during MQ; they will have a visual identifier, such as a sticker or wristband to notify staff of their MQ status; they can only participate in regular school curriculum/instruction provided during school hours and no after-hours sports or activities; they must wear a mask at all times, indoors and outdoors; and they must eat and drink six feet away from other students. Under the new guidelines, the district will allow unvaccinated students who have been exposed to another student positive with COVID-19 as a close contact to immediately return if they’re eligible through a modified quarantine. 

“That is the most significant shift in all of the LA County Department of Public Health protocols in the last 18 months,” BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said. “Having students that have been exposed to the virus, who obviously have a higher risk of transmitting COVID-19 than students that do not, and allowing these students back onto our campus, raises the responsibility for all of our staff to ensure that these rules are followed for those families that choose this brand-new modified quarantine option.”

Those who don’t feel comfortable adhering the requirements do not have to participate in MQ. According to Bregy, as of Sept. 24, 16 out of the 79 school districts in Los Angeles County, including BHUSD, have adopted the option of a modified quarantine. “So far, we have not had any families say no to modified quarantine,” Bregy added. As of Sept. 29, there are seven positive active cases of COVID-19 among students and two among staff.

“I advocate for any decision that we can make that would protect not only students’ health first, but keeping schools open as well,” Margo said. “I think that that is mandatory in keeping people mentally healthy during this pandemic, making sure that school is still an option.”

Regarding the new testing policy for students, Bregy said, “As the pandemic continues, we need to continue the layers of protection that we have for our students.” While details about what types of PCR tests being offered have not been released, Marcus told the Courier there will be “options.”

The next BHUSD Board of Education meeting will be held virtually on Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. 

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Walker-Shuman said in a statement that she opted to step down because of the growing personal cost of the controversy and the cost to the district. “I am no longer willing to sacrifice my personal peace, my family or my time to oppose the current malign efforts. This manufactured issue has become an untenable distraction at a time when all of our efforts should be focused on servicing our students and recovering from the ongoing pandemic,” she said.

“I have dedicated myself to tirelessly serving the district, our students and families for years at great sacrifice and personal expense. I am proud of the work accomplished over the last three years, BHUSD has never been in a better fiscal position, our construction program is humming, we have expanded pathways and opportunities for students in addition to supports through reconfiguration.”

Walker-Shuman told the Courier that she plans to “continue taking care of my parents and family, finishing graduate school and advocating for education.”

The news of the resignation first broke in a statement from Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy, who did not allude to the circumstances of her departure. Instead, Bregy thanked her for her years of contributions to the district.

“Before her time on the Board of Education, she was instrumental in the reconfiguration of BHUSD in her capacity on the Future Focused Schools Team,” Bregy said. “Mrs. Walker-Shuman has volunteered as a parent, community member, and finally a board member. Whether in the boardroom, construction site, or sidewalk assisting students with safe drop-off, the impact Mrs. Walker-Shuman has had on BHUSD will always be remembered.”

Bregy said that the district would communicate the next steps to the community regarding the vacancy “[i]n the coming days and weeks.”

Walker-Shuman’s term was scheduled to end in December 2022. According to the school board bylaws, the board must order a special election or make a provisional appointment to fill a vacancy that occurs four or more months before the end of a board member’s term. This decision must be made within 60 days of the vacancy.

School Board President Rachelle Marcus, who at times found herself at heated odds with Walker-Shuman in the closing days and months of her tenure, reiterated Bregy’s statement. She added: “Contrary to any other public statements given, Mrs. Walker Shuman’s resignation reflects the facts and issues that were clouding her true residency and ability to legally serve on the board.”

While questions about her residency had been circulating for months, the 21-page complaint included detailed allegations and exhibits. Among the documents were exhibits that appeared to indicate ownership of two properties in Pennsylvania by Walker-Shuman and her husband, David Shuman.

The District Attorney’s Public Integrity Division, which receives complaints regarding public agencies, conducted a preliminary review of the matter to determine whether there was probable cause to believe that a crime had occurred. The District Attorney’s office told the Courier that the Public Integrity Division closed the matter and that no further action would be taken.

But even though the District Attorney’s office determined the matter inappropriate for a criminal forum, the allegations nonetheless raised concerns among members of the community and the school board itself. In a closed session meeting on Sept. 14, the school board agreed to initiate an investigation with private counsel into Walker-Shuman’s residency.

As recently as the public school board meeting that same day, Walker-Shuman rebuffed the complaint and the resulting questions as “a purely political stunt perpetrated by social terrorists designed to harass me by weaponizing my personal life.”

Board member Noah Margo, largely seen as a supporter of Walker-Shuman throughout the ordeal, echoed Walker-Shuman’s tone at its conclusion. “Whoever dares to claim victory from this tragic turn of events has no idea what the community has lost,” he told the Courier in a statement. “There is no doubt of the remarkable depth of Mrs. Walker-Shuman’s service to our district, just as there is no doubt as to the motivations that drove the unvalidated accusations and the horrendous smear campaign that followed.”

Board member Dr. Amanda Stern told the Courier that she wanted to “acknowledge that Ms. Walker-Schuman chose to return our focus to the needs of our students and the challenges of the pandemic.”

“Her contributions and hard work will not be forgotten,” she said.

Similarly, board member Mary Wells expressed gratitude to the outgoing Vice President’s service. “I am pleased that the issues surrounding her residency will no longer concern the board, allowing the board to focus on the critical issues facing BHUSD,” she told the Courier.

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The Abraham Accords established peace and normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. The signing of these agreements marked the first public normalization of relations between an Arab country and Israel since that of Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.  

The Consul General of Israel for the Pacific Southwest region Dr. Hillel Newman was in attendance.

With the rise of anti-hate sentiments and acts of violence increasing over this past year, this clinic comes at an important time to show inclusion and diversity triumph over intolerance and bigotry. The success of the Abraham Accords has demonstrated what people of different cultures can achieve when working together.

“With the Jewish New Year upon us and the one-year anniversary of The Abraham Accords, we celebrate this momentous occasion by bringing students of different faiths, cultures and backgrounds together. Deep appreciation to Enes Kanter for volunteering to instruct and to Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy for hosting this message of peace and coexistence,” Newman. 

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At the end of its Sept. 14 meeting, BHUSD Board President Rachelle Marcus announced that a closed session agreement had been reached to “initiate an investigation with a private counsel to look into the matter of Mrs. Walker-Shuman’s residency.”

“The serious allegations against Mrs. Walker Shuman, if true, would indeed affect the legitimacy of the school board, and any decisions that were made, or would be made, with a member of this board ineligible to hold office as could and would be challenged,” Marcus said.

At the meeting, Walker-Shuman responded forcefully to the claims. “Nietzsche said, ‘They muddy the water to make it seem deep.’ This is not deep. This is shallow. We all know who is behind this ugly effort. It is a purely political stunt perpetrated by social terrorists designed to harass me by weaponizing my personal life.”

“I am a resident of Beverly Hills, as I have been for nearly my entire life to date. I remain committed to BHUSD and focusing on the students, their education, and most importantly, our ongoing response to the pandemic.”

The 21-page complaint that brought the controversy to the fore was shared with the Courier and other news outlets.  It also lists as recipients the Los Angeles District Attorney, the California Secretary of State and the Los Angeles County Office of Education. 

The complaint’s central allegation is that Walker-Shuman moved from California to Pennsylvania around August 2021. Exhibits include documents that appear to indicate ownership of two properties in Pennsylvania by Walker-Shuman and her husband, David Shuman. Additional documents include a copy of a court order granting permission to Shuman to relocate his biological child from California to Pennsylvania. 

The District Attorney’s Public Integrity Division, which receives complaints regarding public agencies, conducted a preliminary review of the matter to determine whether there was probable cause to believe that a crime had occurred. The District Attorney’s office told the Courier that the Public Integrity Division closed the matter on Friday and that no further action would be taken.

The fact that the D.A. found that no actual “crime” has been committed does not signal an end to the investigation of this matter, however. During the lengthy public commenting period at the Sept. 14 meeting, parents called on Walker-Shuman to resign or respond to the allegations. 

“It is the height of hypocrisy and frankly privilege for Ms. Walker Shuman to insist she can retain her seat when a minor child who is caught not residing in Beverly Hills is removed from the school,” one commenter said.

In another indication of eroding relations, Marcus read into the record an email sent to her by Walker-Shuman that she characterized as “inappropriate and abusive.” 

“You are wrong. About me, about my residency [,] and when it is proven publicly [,] the only thing your presidency will be remembered for is your jealous petty attacks on me,” the email, sent from Walker-Shuman’s official BHUSD email address and reviewed by the Courier, said. “You are an embarrassment, Rachelle. Your need for attention and adulation has lead [sic.] you to make seriously flawed decisions.”

Marcus, who said she has been connected to the district “in one way or another for 58 years,” responded to the email at the close of the Sept. 14 meeting. “During my tenure as a board member, every single decision I made was done so in the best interest of our students, and almost every decision had a unanimous vote,” she said.

The board will further consider the investigation at a future closed session, where they will select independent counsel to look into the matter. 

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An anonymous 21-page complaint shared with the Courier and other news outlets claims that Walker-Shuman moved from California to Pennsylvania around August 2021.

It provides documents that indicate ownership of two properties in Pennsylvania by Walker-Shuman and her husband, David Shuman. It also contains a legal filing granting permission to Shuman to relocate his biological child from California to Pennsylvania. 

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office confirmed receipt of the complaint to the Courier and said that the matter “is under review.” The Public Integrity Division of the District Attorney’s office fields complaints for public agencies, including school boards. The office first conducts a preliminary review to determine whether probable cause exists to believe an offense occurred.

In a statement provided to the Courier, Marcus expressed support for “a full investigation by our BHUSD legal counsel.”

“Each individual Board member as an elected official has a fiduciary responsibility to uphold the law. Personally, I believe that Mrs. Walker-Shuman, as an elected official, must fully address her residency status and be truthful and transparent considering the numerous and detailed allegations contained in the complaint,” Marcus said in a statement.

Walker-Shuman pushed back against the claims, saying that she still lived in the city. “The allegations are simply a political hit job by people who are so bitter, so vindictive and so morally bankrupt that they are perfectly ok using my children, my family, and the most difficult moments of my life as fodder for a smear campaign,” she told the Courier through email.  

Walker-Shuman characterized Marcus’s call for an investigation as an overstep of her authority, saying that “she violated board policy by issuing a statement in her official capacity that was not agreed upon by the whole board.”  

“From a procedural standpoint, a single Board member (even a Board President) cannot direct counsel, [and] I am hopeful that a majority of the board decides to give direction to district counsel to clarify the definition of residency in the next meeting. I would welcome an opportunity to demonstrate that I fully meet the defined standard for residency of the state of California, and the city of Beverly Hills,” she said.

According to Walker-Shuman, she has moved back into her childhood home. Walker-Shuman provided the Courier with photos of her current State of California Real ID Driver’s License and an absentee ballot. Both list a Beverly Hills address that she confirmed belongs to her mother and stepfather. Citing her privacy, she declined to answer additional questions about her current living situation and whether her child remains enrolled in the district. 

A now-familiar split appeared to be forming among the board. Board Member Mary Wells agreed with Marcus’s call for an investigation but told the Courier that she supports appointing independent legal counsel.

“I take the complaint against Board Member Tristen Walker-Shuman very seriously and I will request that the Board seek independent legal counsel to advise of the appropriate next steps,” Wells said. She reiterated a point she made at the April 8 School Board meeting, saying, “Changing the rules to suit individual board members’ interests creates an uncertain environment and the Board cannot operate effectively. I will continue to voice my concerns, point out how the operations of the board are being manipulated for self-interest and to fight for what serves our constituents and our stakeholders as opposed to ourselves.”

While Board Member Noah Margo voiced support for “clarification of the law as it pertains to the residency requirements for elected officials,” he also echoed Walker-Shuman’s claims of political axe grinding.

“As far as I am concerned this is another concerted effort to attack an individual community member and has no merit in addressing educational issues within our district,” he told the Courier. “Where Mrs. Walker-Shuman takes her shoes off some of the time is certainly not one of those issues.”

Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern did not respond to a request for comment.

The complaint points to Government Code 1770, which holds that “[a]n office becomes vacant” once a public officer ceases “to be an inhabitant of the state.”

Marcus could not identify the recourse available to the Board if the allegations against Walker-Shuman bore out. The BHUSD School Board bylaws incorporate provisions from the California Government Code and Penal Code that apply to the removal of public officers.

According to the Government Code, the District Attorney can pursue removal of a board member “for willful or corrupt misconduct in office.” Additionally, the California Penal Code includes a section on “removal from office for violation or neglect of official duty by public officers” at the discretion of the court. 

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Bregy underscored that the numbers are changing each day. “Just today alone, four or five new families came in to register,” he said. Last week, 41 new students registered. 

District saw its numbers decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of its younger learners moving to private schools resulting from frustration surrounding school closures. “In the next several months, we’ll be able to see this shakeout as far as our enrollment, and then start looking at some of the trends in the entire community,” Bregy added. 

For the 2021-2022 school year, enrollment at the high school is up by 10 from last year with 1,245, and up by five at the middle school with 871. At Hawthorne Elementary, enrollment is down from 557 in 2020 to 520 in 2021. Horace Mann Elementary is seeing the biggest drop, with 559 students, compared to last year’s 609.  

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“I am honored and grateful to become the new Assistant Principal at Beverly Vista Middle School,” Little said in a statement. “This district has been a leader of what quality education looks like for students for a very long time and I cannot wait to support and help grow that legacy at BVMS. I am excited to meet everybody that is a part of the great community at Beverly Vista Middle School.”

Little comes to Beverly Vista with a decade of experience. He previously worked at Animo Westside Middle School, a charter school in the Green Dot Public Schools network, where he taught as a history teacher and spent five years as an Assistant Principal. 

“Mr. Little is an experienced middle school administrator who has impressive knowledge in the field of special education,” BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming him to the BVMS and wider BHUSD community.” 

Before beginning his career in education, Little received a Masters of Arts in Education and Administration Credential from Loyola Marymount University and his Bachelor of Art in History and Teaching Credential from California State University Long Beach. Outside of his work in school, Little spends most of his time with his family, which includes a 2-year-old son, a dog Lucy, and wife Casie. Little will hit the ground running, starting in the new role on Aug. 16. 

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“I wasn’t really understanding what was going on in high school, and the events and programs that high school had to offer, so KBEV helped spark an interest in school events,” Lee told the Courier. 

Lee’s high school career and future may have been different without the Beverly Hills Education Foundation (BHEF), a nonprofit that provides between $500,000 and $700,000 a year in extra funding to all schools within the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD). Not only does BHEF help support KBEV, but it also recently awarded Lee and two other BHHS Class of 2021 graduates with the David Heiferman Memorial Award, a $3,000 scholarship awarded annually to student leaders. In addition to Lee, the other recipients were Mia De Castro Basto, and Alana Morgan Perkins. Basto will attend Barnard College in New York City where she plans to study environmental science. Perkins, the 2020 Miss Teen California USA, will attend the University of Florida where she hopes to study broadcast journalism. 

In the past four decades, BHEF has helped thousands of BHUSD students like Lee, Basto and Perkins. In addition to scholarships, BHEF provides supplemental funding for arts, athletic coaches, audio and media production, college and career readiness, and much more every year. 

“As a public school district, BHUSD receives basic aid funding from the state, but it’s important to give support to classrooms, help teachers and the District provide exceptional educational experiences for our kids,” BHEF President Farrah Dodes told the Courier.

“BHEF raises money and awareness for BHUSD,” Superintendent Michael Bregy told the Courier. “They help connect our community to support a robust educational experience and have done so for all of our students for over 40 years.”

The Foundation was established in 1978, right after the passage of Proposition 13 threatened to limit property tax revenue, the schools’ hitherto primary source of funding. Throughout the 1970s, three court decisions resulted in a system that reconfigured school funding formulas in an attempt to reduce inequality between districts. Beverly Hills residents grew concerned that their schools would deteriorate in quality due to reduced funding, and philanthropist and media mogul Walter Annenberg made a $20,000 gift to the “Hawthorne Fund,” to benefit Hawthorne School, where his granddaughter attended. The Hawthorne Fund eventually turned into BHEF, now with a 15-member board. It was one of the first educational foundations in the nation. 

Today, BHEF uses a variety of methods to raise and distribute as much as $700,000 a year to BHUSD schools. First and foremost, there is the Endowment Fund, which has grown to about $4 million. Each year, BHEF donates the endowment’s annual return and solicits new pledges and donations to grow the fund. It also offers donors the opportunity to name school facilities. During annual campaigns, board members solicit funds from local businesses and individuals, who can give as much as $100,000 to reach “Valedictorian Level.” 

Donors can also give to specialized programs such as performing arts, the robotics team, and Career Creators (Career Technical Education). 

During the 2020-2021 year, when all fundraising had to be done virtually, the BHEF received between $25,000 and $99,999 from the City of Beverly Hills and the Harold McAlister Charitable Foundation. The next largest donation, between $5,000 and $9,999, came from Vice Mayor Lili Bosse and her husband Jon. 

In addition to numerous athletic, performing arts, co-curricular, science fair, college, and career readiness programs, with the support of BHEF, BHUSD is able to pilot new, innovative programs without an initial financial commitment. Pending the success of these programs, BHUSD then adopts the program financially, allowing BHEF to then pilot a new program. An example of this is the newly hired Instructional Coach. The Instructional Coach will partner with teachers and staff to set goals, identify and model teaching strategies, and provide support and student growth opportunities. They will support all new teachers in the district and continue to support the partnership that BHUSD has with Stanford University for National Board Certification for teachers.

At the beginning of each calendar year, BHEF and BHUSD meet to discuss current programs and new, creative ideas that each school site is eager to implement but unable to due to the financial impact. That is where BHEF steps in. 

“As the students integrate back in the fall into the schools, it might be more important now than ever to really work with students to make sure they’re creating avenues of communication to resolve problems, to feel like their voices are heard, to create a space where kids are feeling recognized and encouraged for being good citizens,” former BHEF President Cindy Trost told the Courier. 

To establish your own scholarship or donate to BHEF, visit bhef.org. 

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Board members took issue with the $2,850.000 designated from Measure BH for payment to Team Concept Development Services, Inc. for Bond Program Management for Security.

Team Concepts is Don Blake’s company hired by BHUSD to oversee management of bond funds. 

During the meeting, Board member Mary Wells questioned the $2.8 million expenditure to manage bond funds for a security program whose parameters are not fully known yet. 

“We have a purchase order for bond management for security in the amount of $2,800,000,” Wells said. “My issue with it is that I am not comfortable approving this when I do not have an overview of the security program…until we have this information, I’m just not comfortable approving dollars in this amount.” 

Wells added that she had been requesting an overview of the security program since she came on the Board. To date it has not happened. Wells also pointed out that the bond budget itself earmarked $2 million for total security expenditures. 

“I don’t see how that adds up if we’re spending $2.8 million just for the bond management part of the program for security,” she said. 

Wells’ skepticism is justified, according to documents reviewed by the Courier. An April 21 District report for Measure BH project expenditures shows an overall budget for District-wide security of $2.2. million, based on a 2018 budget (the most recent one available). The same report shows payments to Team Concept Development Services, Inc. in the amount of $1.76 million during the period from July 1, 2020 to March 27, 2021 for construction management. 

The question of why an additional $2.8 million payment is in order is one Wells hopes will be addressed at a Study Session on this matter on Sept. 2. (Two prior Study Sessions on the same topic have been canceled.)

Board President Rachelle Marcus shared a viewpoint similar to the one expressed by Wells. At the Board meeting, Marcus noted, “I’m really kind of puzzled that all of this is coming up right now and we haven’t studied the plan itself. So, I personally would like to withhold the $2,850,000 on the purchase order.” 

Marcus moved to amend the approval of the ratification of the Purchase Order, minus the purchase order for Team Concept Development Services Inc. for bond program management on security. 

As acknowledged on the record by BHUSD officials during the Board meeting, the rejected item will not have an immediate impact on security for the start of the school year. In fact, the Board approved Amendment No. 2 in their contract with Nastec International, Inc. for armed security agent services, adding an additional officer at Beverly Hills High School, with a total of three now. At Hawthorne School, Horace Mann and Beverly Vista Middle School, two Nastec guards will be always assigned. Additionally, the Board has approved contracts with CSEA for unarmed security guards, who are assigned to each campus. 

The Courier will update this story as events unfold. 

Additional Matters Considered by the Board

In addition to the Purchase Orders, the Board also considered other orders of business regarding the upcoming school year. Superintendent Dr.  Michael Bregy encouraged BHUSD staff and students aged 12-years-old and above to obtain vaccinations against COVID-19. In order to limit the potential spread of the virus, BHUSD is strongly discouraging non-essential visitors on campus. With classroom capacity limits lifted, three-foot distancing will be maintained when possible. And face masks will be required in all indoor environments. (Currently, face coverings are optional in outdoor settings.) 

“This is the beginning of a new school year,” Bregy said. “We’re very fortunate if you think about it. We’re one of the very few kinds of industries if you will that has an opportunity for a fresh start every single year.” 

The District will conduct daily temperature checks, provide COVID-19 testing on site and impose a 10-day quarantine should someone test positive. If a student tests positive or comes in close contact with someone who did, the school will provide the student with instruction to keep up with what’s happening in the classroom while in isolation. 

“At this time, public schools cannot mandate vaccines for our students,” Bregy said. “This would be something that the state would have to decide, and then we would have to implement it if the state makes that decision. But, as a public school district, we cannot require the COVID-19 vaccine for students.” 

The Board also approved an amendment to the independent study board policy BP 6158, and administrative regulation 6158 for the 2021-2022 school year to meet the requirements of AB 130, which Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law on July 9 this year. For the 2021–22 school year only, AB130 requires school districts and county offices of education to offer independent study as an education option. This requirement does not apply to charter schools. Still, BHUSD will return with a full face-to-face instructional model.  

“Schooling done in person, when possible, feasible and safe, is perhaps our best notion developmentally for children,” said Board Member Amanda Stern. “I don’t want to depart too much from that, however, I’m glad that there is a provision such as AB130 as needed.” 

The Board also approved its second three-year employment agreement with Bregy in the position of superintendent, beginning on July 1, 2022, and expiring on June 30, 2025. “He is dedicated and hardworking, he instituted the three-year strategic plan, and he has one of the most talented cabinet which surrounds him in being able to accomplish everything he does,” Marcus said. “I am thrilled that we have such a consistent and strong administration.” 

At the end of the meeting, Wells made a reference to Terry Tao’s legal engagement letter that was removed from the agenda for approval. The Board is in the process of reviewing the legal contract. “I have been reviewing our legal fees. I really feel that this is somewhat of a blind spot for us and I think we can do better,” said Wells. She went on to say that the District needs to improve the process for making legal expenditures to be more judicious with its spending. 

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“As a school district, we often refer back to our BHUSD Vision and Mission Statement when making decisions: In a safe and supportive community, BHUSD will deliver a rigorous and enriching quality education, and prepare all students to thrive as productive citizens in a complex, changing world,” BHUSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Bregy told the Courier. “All students will be inspired to act with integrity and realize their academic potential while achieving college and career readiness. As part of preparing students to thrive as productive citizens in a complex, changing world, we take an active role in helping students to understand that teasing can come in different forms and that when it is connected to race it has a different impact that must be acknowledged.”

School officials have not described the incidents that prompted the school’s response. According to an email sent June 6 to the families of students at Horace Mann and Hawthorne, both schools had seen incidents of anti-Asian racism in the previous few weeks. The email said that the incidents represented a first time engaging in racist behavior for many of the students. It also noted that for the victims, “it was one more upsetting event to add to a growing list.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, anti-Asian racism has surged across the country. A report released on June 30 by California Attorney General Rob Bonta calculated that hate crimes against Asian Americans in the state more than doubled in 2020.

“For too many, 2020 wasn’t just about a deadly virus, it was about an epidemic of hate,” said Bonta, himself the state’s first Filipino-American attorney general. While hate crimes overall were up 31% from 2019 to 2020, Bonta attributed the dramatic rise in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans to political rhetoric that blamed China for the pandemic because the SARS-CoV-2 virus originated there.

The email, signed by Horace Mann Principal Craig Bugbee and Hawthorne Elementary School Principal Sarah Kaber, argued on behalf of a more proactive response to the reported episodes.

“We are mindful that there is a difference between ‘bad behavior’ and ‘racist behavior,'” the email said. “Lumping all ‘bad/negative/disrespectful’ behavior in the same discipline bucket is not appropriate, especially when the behavior is racist. We cannot expect our students to know what racist behavior is if we don’t teach them.”

The experiences prompted the schools to reflect on how they address racism on campus, the principals wrote. As a result, the administration at Horace Mann and Hawthorne instructed teachers to lead “age-appropriate” discussions on racist behavior and encouraged families to follow up about the conversation at home.

“How can we expect students not to be racist if we do not teach what racist behavior is?”

At the June 22 School Board meeting, long-time teacher Merle Bauer spoke out against the school’s methods. Bauer, a 30-year veteran of the district, described the approach as “race baiting” and said that during her tenure at BHUSD, she had “never encountered racist behavior.”

“Why didn’t the administration confine their attention to the specific children involved? This is a form of collective punishment and certainly not the way in which to maintain social harmony,” Bauer said. She advocated for a more traditional pedagogical approach, using literature to combat racism and teach character lessons.

At the end of the meeting, Bregy offered a rebuttal to Bauer’s remarks, saying the administration’s approach was not about punishment. “It is about addressing what’s happening,” he said.

“We are an incredible place, a magical place, but we’re also just a microcosm of what’s happening in our country and across the world and we can’t forget that” he said.

Bregy said that the conversation was far from over, especially as BHUSD undergoes a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion review, audit, and implementation process as part of its Strategic Plan. He acknowledged that future conversations would likely generate more controversy.

“There’s going to be a lot of red-faced conversations, there’s going to be a lot of emotion going forward, but that’s the only way we’re going to get through this work together as a community.” 

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“Like many of you, I am worried and concerned about the anti-Israeli resolution planned for a vote in upcoming September by the Los Angeles teacher’s union (UTLA). We at the IAC see this resolution as dangerous and one-sided,” said Dikla Soffer-Ninary, Los Angeles regional director for the Israeli American Council (IAC), in an email to members. “This resolution fails to condemn [the] terrorist organization Hamas and promotes division.”

Soffer-Ninary’s email went out with a call to action and an invitation to a town hall meeting that they held on June 16. The IAC did not return a request for comment. 

The resolution voices support for “the Palestinian people” and calls on Israel to “end bombardment of Gaza and stop displacement at Sheikh Jarrah.” Additionally, the resolution calls on President Joe Biden to cease aid to Israel and endorses the campaign for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

The BDS movement, which started in 2005, but did not move into more mainstream political discourse until the late aughts, is a non-centralized campaign to put economic pressure on Israel in support of Palestine. The movement seeks to oust Israeli from the West Bank and end the blockade on the area. It demands that Israel grant millions of Palestinian refugees and their descendants full citizenship.

The Beverly Hills City Council has been a vocal critic of the BDS movement for years. In 2016, the Council passed a resolution in support of California Assembly Bill 2844, the California Combating the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions of Israel Act. The bill, which passed, bars public agencies in the state from contracting with businesses that participate in the BDS movement.

Then-Mayor John Mirisch described the movement as Judeophobic. “The so-called BDS movement that is spreading around college campuses and throughout other venues in the U.S. is dumb, it’s dangerous, it’s disingenuous, and if you take the D out of BDS, that’s pretty much what we’re left with,” he said in May 2016.

In response to a request for comment, UTLA forwarded the Courier a statement about the resolution. The statement emphasized that while the resolution passed in one chapter, the resolution did not speak for the union as a whole. After a motion passes, it then goes to the UTLA House of Representatives, the union’s highest delegating body.  

“Motions brought by UTLA members at regional Area meetings are not the official expressed opinions of UTLA or its elected leaders,” UTLA said. “Debate and disagreement are essential to democracy and to our union, even when there are deep, conflicting emotions on both sides.”

The statement condemned “racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, homophobia, Islamophobia, and oppression in all forms,” including recent attacks against Jews in Los Angeles.

“We are deeply concerned about UTLA’s focus on an Israeli-Palestinian conflict instead of on a safe way our kids and teachers will be returning to the classrooms in September,” Soffer-Ninary wrote in her email. “We stand against this excluding resolution, which marginalizes anyone who supports Israel and turning the UTLA and our schools into an unsafe place for Jewish and Israeli educators and students. We hope UTLA leadership will focus on our students’ well-being and a safe return to schools for all the students and staff.” 

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With almost 20 years of experience, Johnson started his career as a high school English teacher with the New Orleans Parish School Board, and then later with the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. Most recently, he served as the Vice Principal at Antelope Valley High School, overseeing Special Education.

“Mr. Johnson’s extensive time in the high school arena leaves him well poised to further the exemplary work of our BHHS staff, students, and community,” BHUSD Superintendent, Dr. Michael Bregy, said. “With substantial experience in PBIS, Special Education, and beyond, Mr. Johnson will bring an innovative perspective to our Norman family.” 

Johnson holds a Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the UCLA Principal Leadership Institute (PLI), a Master of Arts Degree in Secondary Teacher Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from Dillard University. 

“In looking at the accomplishments of the current team, I feel fortunate to work with individuals who not only value education but place student outcomes at the center of their decisions,” Johnson said in a statement released by the District. “As the district continues to grow and meet its goals, I look forward to offering my skill set to the students, families, and staff of BHHS and the Beverly Hills Unified School District.”

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BHC: What does the future of the ILC look like?

“The ILC still exists. We’ve always had the ILC because we’ve always had the responsibility of providing an education to students that are your tennis players, or dancers or somebody that has a medical need. Right now, we’re looking at what certain criteria must be met for the ILC, but the expectation is that students come back full time and in person…So, when we gave them a choice last year, I think a lot of our students said, ‘I’m already in a routine, you know, I’m going to go back next year.’ And some of it isn’t just academic. Some of it is social emotional, and that’s just as important. I think that with some of our students who didn’t return, it’s tougher for them to go back. It’s almost strange and unfamiliar to return.”

Bregy added,”By offering Live@BHUSD as well as the ILC, we were able to meet the needs and cover just about everybody,” Bregy added. “For some people, it just didn’t work. I’d be zooming into some classrooms, and I would see 5, 6, and 7-year-olds just leave.”

Last summer, many parents who were frustrated by the continued school closures decided to transfer their children to private school. How has that affected overall enrollment?

“We had a very small number that did that. We did have a high number of people who did go to a different location to ride out COVID. So, with our virtual offerings, a lot of people that were able to continue their education but be in a different time zone. There were some pockets of students who left from different grade levels, but it was a very small number. It wasn’t statistically significant. And the reason that I know that is because when we did reopen, we had a few people that then came back.”

“I think what was hard is that some people had expectations of us, as a system, to reopen before we were even allowed to. It’s been the most difficult, emotional, and stressful time in my professional career. I deal with controversial issues all the time, but never something that has divided the community like this before. And when I say that, I mean, not just closing and opening, but the timeline. The reason why I feel professionally beat up is that I think we did an amazing job with our communication. Yet, we would still have people that would be publicly denouncing us or upset with our decision when we weren’t even allowed to come back yet.” 

What is the primary work ahead of you?

“We were able to identify a number of kids that experienced learning loss. We have more kids than ever in our summer programming, and many of them by invitation, which we hadn’t done before. I believe we have over 300 students involved in summer programs.”

“One of my biggest concerns is that I don’t think that we have an accurate understanding, conceptually, of what that learning loss is,” Bregy noted. 

“I think our biggest challenge still lies in front of us. From meeting kids where they’re at academically, and from a social emotional perspective, so that kids feel that sense of belonging. There’s a lot of stress and pressure to make sure that kids are okay and be able to mitigate as many gaps as we can determine. We can’t just have an expectation that everybody is going to start in the same place.”

Will there be masking requirements next year? 

“It’s really hard to say. We’re following the LA County Department of Public Health order and right now, students have to keep them on. I think that we will probably start the year with mask wearing and health screenings. But I think it’s just a matter of time until it’s going to change. Summer is short, and a lot will change in the next month.”

What percentage of the student population is vaccinated?

“I do know a large number of students that have been vaccinated, but we haven’t specifically asked because I know that we will not be mandating that somebody is vaccinated for COVID to attend classes.”

At the Beverly Vista Middle School graduation earlier in June, “students were very proud to tell me they had been vaccinated,” Bregy told the Courier. “It’s great to hear because it’s a huge step in mitigating any possible transmission.”

“We have great protocols in place. We worked so hard on our health screenings, temperature checks, labeling and have great signage. No matter what happens in the fall, I think the community is ready.”

Ed Note: During public comment at the June 22 BHUSD Board of Education meeting, a former teacher raised concerns about an allegedly racist incident at Horace Mann. The Courier will address the District’s response to those concerns in its July 1 issue. 

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With much to celebrate, the mood was jovial during the June 8 Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education meeting. 

“I really want to commend the people that worked on those and organized them,” Board President Rachelle Marcus said of the ceremonies. “Remember last year we didn’t have it, so they were really working from scratch…they did a magnificent job.” Board members continued to praise the articulate, heartfelt, and humorous speeches made by the district’s younger students as they prepared to move up to middle school.  

“It was a really, really difficult year,” Vice President Tristan Walker-Schuman said. “But my God, there is such a sense of appreciation amongst the students, the family, the faculty and staff at each one of these promotions.”

The Board also announced the appointment of the new BVMS Principal Dr. Kelly Skon, who will be replacing outgoing principal, Kevin Allen, who will assume the position in July. “I am thrilled to join the Beverly Vista Middle School family,” Skon told the Courier. “During each step of the interview process, I met amazing teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and students. The positivity and energy each one of them displayed is a testament to the community and dedication of those at BVMS and the Beverly Hills Unified School District. As the Principal of BVMS, I look forward to continuing the work of developing a robust middle school that truly meets the needs of adolescent students.”

Dr. Skon boasts over 14 years of experience as an educator. Skon’s resume includes middle school math teacher, Common Core Site Lead at Laguna Beach Unified School District, and three years of district-level leadership at Saddleback Valley Unified School District. Most recently, she served as the Assistant Principal at Fountain Valley High School.

The Board also unanimously passed Resolution # 2020-2021-039 in support of the LGBTQ+ community, proclaiming the June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month. Every year throughout the month of June, each school in the district will display a rainbow flag to signify support for the LGBTQ+ community. Currently, all BHUSD campuses and the district office proudly display the new Progress Pride Flag. 

“I’m excited to go to school tomorrow and see one at Horace Mann, where my daughter attends, and at the high school, where I teach,” Marla Weiss, a math and science teacher at BHHS said during public comment. “This will be amazing for children to see as they walk into the building.” With applause heard from the audience, Weiss added: “Our students should continue to grow up knowing love is love, no matter who loves who.”

The resolution was met with overwhelming support, with cheers and applause from those in attendance. 

“I would love to see it come sooner in the school year, so that it could be a part of the education and the community in the schools,” Marcus said. “That’s the only thing I feel badly about.”

“We are anticipating a full opening for in person learning in the fall,” Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy said. “…But what’s in limbo is the discussion behind students that want to remain at home and not come back to school.” Bregy noted the financial implications involved, as the state allocates funds to school districts based on average daily attendance. 

“However, there still is a section of what’s being discussed right now from Governor Newsom and that is for those that wish to continue to learn in an independent study format,” Bregy said. “We fully believe that the best experience for our students is to return to in person learning, and we will continue to push for some details about what that looks like if a student is uncomfortable, or in some way wants to stay in a virtual setting.”

While school is out for summer now, the next BHUSD Board of Education meeting will be held on June 22. 

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The ceremonies will take place during the week of June 6 as follows:

June 8, 10:45 a.m. Hawthorne Elementary School, 5th grade promotion; 

June 8, 1:45 p.m. Horace Mann Elementary School 5th grade promotion;

June 9, 5 p.m. Beverly Vista Middle School (BVMS) 8th grade graduation; and

June 10, 9 a.m. Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) graduation at Nickoll Field.

Each graduate has been given four allocated seats. The ceremonies will also be shared on social media. The BHHS graduation can be watched live at youtube.com/kbev6. The BVMS graduation can be watched live on Instagram at instagram.com/bvms.bhusd. 

The elementary school promotions will not be streamed live but highlights will be posted at instagram.com/haw.bhusd and instagram.com/hm.bhusd.

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While most departments reported positive news, Laura Chism, assistant superintendent of student services, communicated a setback. “We’re supposed to hire a consultant to help us look at our inclusion, diversity and diversity practices in our district and develop measurable goals,” Chism said. “As we know, we did a search, and we hired a firm. We started with a great launch in April, but because of community concerns we paused with that firm and now we’re going back to the drawing board.” 

The District had hired Community Works Institute (CWI) to assist BHUSD in establishing a school climate that supports diversity, equity and inclusion–an integral part of the Strategic Plan. During the Board’s May 11 meeting, the Beverly Hills Parents Association publicly objected to the hiring of CWI after a video circulated that captured a CWI associate’s antisemitic rhetoric. The controversy resulted in a Change.org petition entitled “BHUSD Stop the Bias Now – CWI Must Be Removed,” which gathered over 500 signatures in less than three days.

“So, we will be looking to select a new consulting firm and we’ll have a committee of various stakeholders,” Chism said. “We’ll have board members, community members, staff, parents, students all involved in that in that decision so we can continue to move forward.”

In business before the Board, a motion to approve an amendment to the amended and restated bylaws of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) passed 4-1. Board President Rachelle Marcus, was the sole no vote. The agenda also included discussion around dress code, the future of the Independent Learning Center (ILC) and updated guidance per the California Department of Education’s 2021 Mathematics Framework. 

The next Board of Education meeting will be held on June 8. 

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After trailing Flintridge Prep by two matches, BHHS won the remaining two doubles matches, and tied the score at 9-9. In the final winner take all match, Beverly Hills’ number two doubles team, Maya Goldkorn and Lola Eustace, emerged victorious, defeating Flintridge Prep’s number one doubles duet, Jacqueline Hsu and Manya Lalwani, winning 7-5. 

“What we didn’t know at the time was that our match was going to make or break the whole thing,” Maya Goldkorn, a junior at BHHS, told the Courier. According to Goldkorn, Eustace was also unaware of the stakes. “Because it was tied 9-9 in terms of sets, it then went by game count. We were up in the game count by a little bit, but it was very close.”

With all eyes from both teams on the match, the doubles duo remained steady and determined to make a comeback.

“It was super stressful because there were a lot of people watching since everyone else had already finished,” Goldkorn told the Courier. “It was hard to stay focused and come up with a strategy and to just not doubt myself. And we ended up winning!” 

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Both Shim sisters will perform in newly choreographed numbers. Sixth-grader Elle will dance in “Les Petites Étoiles,” Mozart’s charming piano composition of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” a new piece choreographed by Associate Artistic Director Caprice Walker and featuring the pre-professional performance company’s younger dancers, to be accompanied by live piano. 

Jenne Shim, in the 8th grade, will perform in the classic “Dance of the Fairies” from “Sleeping Beauty.” The “Dance of the Fairies” is based on Marius Pepita’s choreography, staged by Aimée Gaudio, and supported by Tchaikovsky’s melodic score. Jenne is also performing in Michele Bachar Mendicelli’s lively jazz piece, “Swing!” featuring the stylings of The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Bette Midler, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. 

Westside Ballet has persevered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, holding both online and limited in-person classes. An outdoor dance studio was constructed in early Fall 2020. The school’s indoor studios offer classes at 50% occupancy, with plans of 100% occupancy come June. 

The Shim sisters will take part in intensive programs with special New York City Ballet guest teachers this summer. For more information visit westsideballet.com.  

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The academic competition is judged based on academic records, SAT and PSAT scores, participation in school and community activities, recommendations, and essays. Finalists are chosen by a team of college admissions officers and high school counselors. 

The announcement on May 12 marked the second round of National Merit Scholarship awardees this year. More winners will be announced on June 2 and July 12, according to the corporation. 

This year’s National Merit Scholarship Program began in October 2019 when over 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools took the PSAT/NMSQT, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. 

Last fall, the highest-scoring participants in each state, representing less than one percent of the nation’s high school seniors, were named Semifinalists on a state representational basis. Only these approximately 17,000 Semifinalists had an opportunity to continue in the competition. From the Semifinalist group, some 16,000 students met the very high academic standards and other requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. By the conclusion of the 2021 program, about 7,500 Finalists will have earned the “Merit Scholar” title and received a total of nearly $30 million in college scholarships. 

NMSC, a not-for-profit corporation that operates without government assistance, was founded in 1955 specifically to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. The majority of scholarships offered each year are underwritten by approximately 400 independent corporate and college sponsors that share NMSC’s goals of honoring scholastically talented youth and encouraging academic excellence at all levels of education.

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The Beverly Hills Parents Association also made an impassioned plea before the Board and Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy regarding the district’s hiring of Community Works Institute (CWI) to assist with BHUSD’s diversity, equity and inclusion program. 

New Bell Schedule and Search for New Principal

On May 13, the District announced a new block bell schedule for high school students with an 8:30 a.m. start time, per California Senate Bill 328. Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in Oct. of 2019 and effective starting the 2022-23 school year, the new law requires public high schools begin no earlier than 8:30 am. The objective has also been outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan.

“We acknowledge that the average class length will be reduced in this schedule by approximately six minutes per class per day,” reads a May 13 email addressed to BHHS families. “However previously, when seven classes met each day (at most) pre-pandemic, instructional time was lost in greeting students, taking roll, and beginning class. By moving to a solidified block schedule, students will experience longer, more in-depth instructional conversations with fewer disruptions by moving between fewer classes. This helps with lab work, assessments, and classroom presentations.”