News Summary
The Beverly Hills Unified School District Board discussed a policy to regulate teachers’ discussions on controversial topics. Introduced by Board Member Sigalie Sabag, the policy aims to limit discussions unrelated to the curriculum. Critics, including Katherine Warren from the BHEA, argue that existing agreements already cover these issues and should be addressed at the bargaining table. Board Member Amanda Stern raised concerns that such restrictions could hinder critical thinking. The board will continue revising the proposal, considering its impact on educators and students.
Beverly Hills, CA – The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board convened on June 24 to discuss a proposed policy that aims to regulate how teachers approach controversial topics in classrooms. The initiative was introduced by Board Member Sigalie Sabag to prevent teachers from bringing up contentious issues that are unrelated to their subject matter.
The draft policy lays out definitions for what constitutes controversial issues, including topics such as religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and geopolitical conflicts. It classifies history, civics, government, geography, and economics as courses suitable for discussing these themes. In contrast, subjects including mathematics, English, science, physical education, world languages, arts, and technical electives would obligate teachers to refrain from introducing any political, ideological, or personal commentary that does not align with sanctioned instructional goals.
To enforce this policy, the proposal encourages staff to report any violations they observe among their peers. A notable incident cited by Sabag involved a music teacher who screened a film related to protest activities, which Sabag argued was not pertinent to the music curriculum.
Katherine Warren, president of the Beverly Hills Education Association (BHEA), raised concerns during the meeting, asserting that the agenda item should be postponed. She highlighted that existing collective bargaining agreements already address the teaching of controversial issues. Warren proposed that such discussions should occur at the bargaining table instead of at the board meeting, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in appropriate forums.
Board Member Amanda Stern expressed her opposition to the proposed changes. She conveyed that teachers should focus on cultivating critical and analytical thinking skills in their students. Stern articulated that restricting teachers’ ability to express their reasoning could stifle classroom engagement and may run counter to the policy’s intention of avoiding partisan politics.
In a collaborative effort, Sabag and Stern agreed to work together to revise the proposed policy for further discussion by the board in the future, highlighting the importance of carefully considering implications for educators and students alike.
Additionally, the board announced that Romeo Carey, a Career Technical Education instructor and Media Director at BHUSD, is set to retire after over two decades with the district. Carey’s tenure was not without controversy; he was placed on paid administrative leave in December 2024 for undisclosed reasons but was reinstated in March. In a farewell message, Carey reflected on his commitment to empowering students and emphasized the role of a free press in holding people in power accountable.
The proposed policy restricting discourse on controversial topics in the classroom could have substantial implications for educators’ professional judgment and the overall classroom environment. As discussions continue, stakeholders are encouraged to consider the importance of balancing educational guidelines with the need for an open exchange of ideas in academic settings.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHUSD Board Discusses New Restrictions on Teaching Controversial Topics
- Beverly Press: BHUSD Considers Limiting Teacher’s Speech
- ABC7: Beverly Hills High Limits Students’ Ability to Assemble Following Pro-Trump Demonstrations
- Google Search: Controversial Topics in Education
- Beverly Press: BHUSD Board Candidates Weigh in on Key Issues
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
