News Summary
The Beverly Hills Unified School District has unveiled an Alumni-Mentoring series that connects students with successful alumni. This initiative, led by alumnus Colby Gilardian, aims to foster mentorship while the district faces leadership challenges and controversies. The series promotes positive student experiences despite ongoing scrutiny regarding allegations of discrimination and administrative issues. Students are matched with alumni who share similar aspirations, as the district commits to supporting its community during a tumultuous time.
Beverly Hills – The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) has introduced a new Alumni-Mentoring series aimed at connecting students with successful alumni, while the district grapples with significant leadership changes and various controversies. Colby Gilardian, a BHUSD alumnus, has stepped into the role of communications media specialist and is spearheading the initiative.
Gilardian’s goal is to highlight the achievements and successes of the district amid a prevalent focus on negative news surrounding it. He has created a social media series that pairs BHUSD alumni with current middle and high school students who share similar career aspirations. This initiative provides a platform for these pairs to engage in filmed conversations, showcasing mentorship and fostering connections.
The first episode in the series features student Gunnar Walmsley alongside film historian alumna Antonia Carlotta. The episodes are filmed at various recognizable locations within Beverly Hills High School (BHHS), evoking nostalgia for the participating alumni. Future episodes are set to be shared across BHUSD’s official website, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
Students for the series are selected by administrative staff familiar with their interests, ensuring appropriate matchups with alumni. The BHHS Alumni Association is collaborating with Gilardian to recruit alumni who are eager to participate in the program. Currently, the series is focused on middle and high school students, but there are plans to expand its reach to younger students in the future.
Alongside this new initiative, BHUSD is navigating a turbulent time due to recent leadership changes. On February 21, Dr. Michael Bregy resigned as superintendent following a series of controversies and public outcry regarding lawsuits and accusations against the district. Dr. Jason Hasty has been appointed as acting superintendent in wake of Bregy’s departure.
The district is under scrutiny for the administrative leave granted to journalism teacher Romeo Carey amid allegations of student journalism retaliation. Additionally, Assistant Superintendent Matt Horvath faces criticism for his handling of the investigation into Carey’s case, as well as accusations of intimidating students and employing questionable tactics.
The ongoing controversies within BHUSD have highlighted issues such as rampant racism, discrimination, and harassment in the school community. Recent allegations include claims against the athletic director for racist and sexually harassing behavior, alongside controversial administrative decisions that prevented the enrollment of over 100 displaced students.
These issues have led to multiple lawsuits asserting claims of discrimination, retaliation, and violations of students’ rights. In response to the turmoil, the Beverly Hills Education Association has negotiated a collective bargaining agreement, which includes a 4.75% salary increase for educators for the 2025–2026 school year. This agreement underscores the district’s commitment to supporting its staff during this challenging period.
As BHUSD seeks to promote positive student experiences and alumni connections through its Alumni-Mentoring series, it must also confront these serious issues to maintain the trust and safety of its students and the larger community.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHUSD Social Media Series
- Google Search: Beverly Hills Unified School District
- Beverly Press: Superintendent Resigns
- Wikipedia: Beverly Hills
- Beverly Hills Courier: School Board Meeting
- Google News: BHUSD Controversy
