News Summary
The Beverly Hills Unified School District Board met to address security enhancements at Beverly Hills High School, including raising the fence height and initiatives against racism. Board members highlighted the urgent need for inclusivity and safety for Black and Latin students, proposing resolutions to combat racial prejudice. Additionally, the board announced the decision to refrain from displaying the Israeli flag at schools due to safety concerns. As discussions progress, the community continues to advocate for both security and equality within the educational environment.
Beverly Hills, CA
The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board convened on September 30 to discuss significant security enhancements at Beverly Hills High School, along with addressing resolutions aimed at combating racism within the district. The meeting highlighted the ongoing issues of safety and inclusivity that are crucial to the school community.
Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart advocated for increasing the height of an upcoming fence at the high school from the planned eight feet to twenty feet. The current fence, under construction, is set to be completed in December per the existing contract. However, Amin Salari, the COO of Fonder-Salari, Inc., pointed out that elevating the height of the fence would require additional resources, extending the project timeline by four months and costing an estimated $2 million to $2.5 million. Salari noted that the construction of a taller fence would involve challenges such as building a new foundation and conducting soil excavation during nighttime hours.
Salari suggested that any plans to increase the fence’s height should wait until the initial project is completed, proposing that a lighter, taller structure could later be erected behind the current fence.
Concerns about racism within the district also emerged during the public comment period. Parents and community members voiced worries about the experiences of Black and Latin students in BHUSD. Two parents, Victoria González-Tate and Zola Mashariki, introduced resolutions to address anti-Black and anti-Hispanic prejudice, although these resolutions were not on the agenda for the meeting. Their proposed initiatives included recognizing Hispanic Heritage History Month, celebrating Cesar Chavez Day, and adopting the U.N. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Mashariki underscored the necessity of educating BHUSD staff and students on these critical issues.
Dr. Regulus Allen presented a resolution targeting anti-Black bigotry, suggesting that February be designated as Black History Month and that Juneteenth be acknowledged. Parents like González-Tate emphasized the urgency for the board to recognize and address racism effectively, prioritizing the well-being of Black and Brown students.
In a separate announcement, BHUSD Superintendent Alex Cherniss stated that the Israeli flag will not be displayed at district schools due to safety concerns. This decision follows a narrow vote by the Board of Education that had initially approved displaying the Israeli flag during Jewish Heritage Month. Cherniss clarified that only the U.S. and California flags will be flown at schools until further notice, aiming to ensure student safety amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. The resolution regarding the flag was also intended to confront antisemitism through educational initiatives about the Holocaust and Jewish history.
The board members expressed a range of opinions on the flag resolution. Some supported it as a means to combat antisemitism, while others raised concerns that it might inadvertently marginalize or alienate certain groups within the community. Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian voiced her support for the resolution, while criticism arose from various stakeholders who argued that it favored one religion over others amid broader social contexts.
The BHUSD Board has faced backlash from both the council and community members regarding its focus on these resolutions. Many have called for a more inclusive approach that recognizes the identities and experiences of all students within the district.
As the board continues to address these pressing issues, the discussions reflect a community striving for both safety and equality in its educational environment.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHUSD Board Considers Increased Security for BHHS
- AOL News: Security Cameras Capture Man Drawing Swastika
- NBC Los Angeles: BHUSD Superintendent Plan to Display Israeli Flag
- Wikipedia: Security Camera
- CBS News: BH Police Investigate Swastika at Rodeo Elementary School
- Jerusalem Post: Antisemitism in America
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Antisemitism
- KTLA: Beverly Hills Schools Opt-Out of Flying Israeli Flag
- Google Search: Beverly Hills Unified School District
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
