News Summary
Leaders from the Beverly Hills Unified School District toured the construction site of One Beverly Hills, discussing potential partnerships to enhance student education. The project, located near local schools, emphasizes real-world learning opportunities in sustainability, hospitality, and landscape design. Additionally, the BHUSD Board is considering a new policy regarding controversial classroom topics, alongside recent developments in student online safety and the retirement of a long-standing journalism teacher. These initiatives aim to improve educational experiences while ensuring student wellbeing.
Beverly Hills – Leaders from the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) recently toured the construction site of One Beverly Hills, aiming to explore partnerships that would enhance educational opportunities for students. The site visit included BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss and members of the Board of Education. Their discussions focused on potential collaborations that could have a positive impact on students and academic programs within the district.
Located near Beverly Hills High School and El Rodeo Elementary School, the 17.5-acre One Beverly Hills development will feature luxury residences, two hotels, and expansive public botanical gardens. During the tour, BHUSD leaders emphasized the importance of student safety and the potential for real-world learning internships that could stem from the project. Discussions highlighted educational opportunities in areas such as sustainability, landscape design, and hospitality.
Dr. Cherniss indicated that the One Beverly Hills project serves as a bridge between educational initiatives and innovative real-world experiences for students in the area. The proposed collaborations could enrich the curriculum and provide students with valuable skills and knowledge applicable in various fields.
In a separate but related aspect, the BHUSD Board recently convened on June 24 to consider a new policy aimed at regulating discussions about controversial topics within classrooms. Board Member Sigalie Sabag presented the policy proposal to mitigate the introduction of issues such as religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and geopolitical conflicts that may not align with the curriculum.
The proposed guidelines suggest that subjects like history, civics, and government may warrant discussions on such topics, whereas courses such as mathematics and English would necessitate a neutral approach. Additionally, staff members are encouraged to report any violations of this policy should it be implemented.
Amidst the policy discussions, Katherine Warren, president of the Beverly Hills Education Association, requested that the board table the proposal, arguing that existing guidelines in the collective bargaining agreement already address such matters. Board Member Amanda Stern voiced her opposition to the proposed changes, advocating for educators’ ability to foster critical thinking in students. She characterized the policy as potentially partisan while recognizing the need for enforcement of any violations that may occur.
In another significant development, Romeo Carey, a long-standing journalism teacher and executive producer of KBEV, the school’s broadcasting service, announced his retirement after more than two decades. Carey recently made headlines after being placed on paid administrative leave in December 2024, allegedly for permitting student journalists to cover sensitive issues. Following months of public outcry, he was reinstated in March, although the reasons for his leave remained undisclosed. In his farewell statement, Carey expressed his gratitude for the freedom of the press and lauded the courage displayed by his students during the controversy.
In a positive turn for student online safety, BHUSD was chosen to participate in Instagram’s newly launched School Partnership Program. This initiative aims to enhance the online safety of teens and provides schools with a direct channel to report harmful content. The district’s selection comes after successful collaboration with Instagram to remove harmful content targeting students at Beverly Hills High School in June. The new program offers resources designed to promote safe social media usage among students.
Overall, as the BHUSD navigates these developments, leaders are actively seeking innovative collaborations and policies that support the educational landscape while addressing the safety and well-being of students.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHUSD Board Discusses New Restrictions on Teaching Controversial Topics
- Beverly Press: BHUSD Leaders Visit One Beverly Hills Project
- Beverly Press: BHUSD Joins Instagram’s School Partnership Program
- Google Search: Beverly Hills Unified School District
- Wikipedia: Beverly Hills Unified School District
